STEWART ISLAND NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 22009, 8 May 1933, Page 9

STEWART ISLAND NEWS

PERSONAL. (From Our Correspondent). Mr W. A. Stout and the Misses Stout, who have been spending a fortnight on the island, returned to town on Thursday. Miss Mitchell, Invercargill, has been spending a holiday on the island. Mr and Mrs Fleck, Riverton, were passengers by the Tamatea for the mainland on Thursday. Mrs G. A. Simmers, Halfmoon Bay, has been visiting relations at Waikoikoi and returned on Thursday. The Rev. Mr Prosser, Riverton, has been spending a holiday on the island. He was the guest of Mr and Mrs Fleck.

Mr E. Brown, Invercargill, was a passenger for Bluff on Thursday. Miss Moore, Riverton, has been spending a holiday on the island for the last fortnight. Mr C. Campbell, postmaster at. Halfmoon Bay, has returned from his annual holiday. Mi' Peters, Invercargill, has been staying with his brother, Mr J. Peters, Halfmoon Bay. Miss Richards, Riverton, has been the guest of Mr and Mrs Fleck for the last fortnight. County Council. The monthly meeting of the Stewart Island County Council and Halfmoon Bay and Horse Shoe Bay Harbour Board was held on Thursday evening, April 27. Mr T. Bragg presided over the following: Councillors W. Robertson, T. E. Jensen, T. Widdowson and A. W. Traill, jun. In connection with Mr W. Dey’s application for a billiard room license, the clerk was instructed to inform .Mr Dey that his application was not in compliance with the by-laws. A letter was received from the Rev. J. N. Goodman assuring the council that the proposed church hall would be used only for church work. The application for the erection of the hall was granted. It was decided to call for applications for the position of county inspector. A letter was received from the Stewart Island Progressive League drawing the council’s attention to the urgent need for a boiler in the supper room of the hall. The letter further stated that the present fireplace was dangerous. It was decided to obtain the price of a suitable boiler. Quotations were received for the supply of timber for the erection of the loading bank on the wharf. The tender of the Fortification Sawmilling Company was accepted. The question of forming the new road at the back of the Presbyterian Manse was discussed. It was decided that specifications for the work be drawn up immediately. The chairman’s honorarium for the year past was fixed at £l5. The balance-sheet for the year ended March 31 was submitted to the council and showed a credit balance in all accounts of £369 2/10. This was considered a very satisfactory balance for a year of depression and the secretary treasurer was congratulated upon his efforts. The chairman took the opportunity of thanking the other members of the council for their co-opera-tion during the year, stating that there had been difficulties to contend with, but in spite of everything the year had turned out satisfactorily. District Nurse Committee. Tire annual meeting of the District Nurse Committee was held in the school on Friday evening, April 28, when there was a good attendance. Mrs C. C. Thomson (president), in submitting the committee’s report for the past year, stated that in spite of the difficult times the public had supported faithfully the Nurse Committee’s efforts to raise the guarantee of £5O, the islanders’ contribution towards the nurse's salary. To the guarantors, subscribers and those who had supported the entertainments, the committee was pleased to report that the £5O guarantee had been forwarded to the board and there was a credit balance of £ 18 carried forward to next year. The committee also was grateful to the local Unemployment Committee for the splendid improvements which had been made to the nurse’s cottage grounds by relief workers. The committee thanked Mr T. Widdowson, who supervised the work, and Mr B. Heaton, who carted soil without charge. The amount of £37 10/- was paid out by the Unemployment Board for labour. The committee was also grateful to all who assisted towards the success of the various entertainments. In moving the adoption of the report the Rev. John N. Goodman said he was delighted to learn of the committee’s splendid achievement in raising the guarantee in times when money was hard to get. Mr R. C. Hicks, in seconding the motion, made reference to the committee which was composed of six married ladies, all of whom had families and sometimes found it difficult to get out to the entertainments. There were a good number of young men present and Mr Hicks suggested that they take turns in assisting the committee with the various functions. Mr J. Sloan made reference to the work of Sister Casey, the district nurse, who had carried out her duties faithfully and well. He proposed that appreciation of her services be recorded and a copy of the resolution be sent to the Southland Hospital Board. The secretary, Mrs William Oswald, advised the meeting that the retiring committee did not wish to seek reelection. Mr A. E. Farrant proposed that the retiring committee be re-elected. The committee, after considering the matter, decided to accept re-election and appointed Mrs H. Pollock president and Mrs Oswald secretary. The other members are Mesdames C. C. Thompson, R. H. Trail, J. E. Leask and K. Johansen. Meteorological. Tire month of April proved to be exceptionally wet and windy. The total rainfall was 12.11 in as recorded by Mr T. Bragg, Government recorder. A rain gauge operated in another part of the township by Mr G. M. Turner registered 12.81 in. Mr Bragg stated that 12.11 in constituted a record over the 16 years during which he had been Government recorder. The next highest was 11.41 in which fell in May, 1927. Not only was April wet, but it was also windy which, of course, affected the fishing. The April cheque for fish is usually quite a good one, but this year it is practically nil. P.W.M.U. On Tuesday afternoon the members of the local P.W.M.U. met at the residence of the Misses Peterson for the purpose of farewelling Mrs Wylie, who is leaving for Beaumont. Miss R. Peterson made eulogistic reference to Mrs Wylie’s keen and capable interest in church matters and especially mentioned her connection with the P.W.M.U. Miss Petersen then called upon Mrs A. W. Traill, sen., to present Mrs Wylie with a tea cosy in token of their appreciation. Mrs Wylie feelingly replied.