BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22201, 19 December 1933, Page 14

BLUFF NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.)

Beautiful weather was again experienced for the week-end with the result that there were many visitors r.t the port If the same conditions prevail for the next couple of weeks success is assured for Bluff’s big carnival effort, for which preparations are already well forward. A good fall of rain would be welcomed in the meantime, however, for gardens and houseThe weekly euchre tournament under the auspices of the R.S.A. was well attended on Saturday night, when play was supervised by Mr T. Finnerty. Prize-winners were: Mrs W. Gilson 1, Mrs H. H. Moss and Mr G. Fowler (equal), divided second and third prizes. . , At a meeting of the executive of the Bluff R.S.A. on Saturday evening it was announced that Santa Claus would be present with a Christmas tree laden with gifts for the children of returned soldiers in the Athenaeum at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday next. At the same meeting it was decided to give funds for two days’ extra work between Christmas and New Year for unemployed exservicemen. The local nursing division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade has received a gift from Mr A. Washer, Invercargill, in the form of a bandage winding machine. Naturally members have expressed gratitude at Mr Washers Thoughtful action, as the winder is very useful in their work. Mr H. M. Kane, of the Bluff Post Office staff, who has been transferred to the position of exchange clerk at Gore, finished duty at the port yesterday and leaves to take up his new appointment to-day. Mr Kane (who is known to his friends as “Mick”) has been a very courteous and capable official and he will take with him the best wishes of Bluff residents on his departure. Southland’s Eight. A great deal of interest is being manifested in the prospect of seeing a Southland eight in action at the local regatta. Various oarsmen are being tried out and when the final selection is made from the excellent material available it is certain the province will be represented by a worthy crew in the Ao-tea-roa—the boat in which New Zealand’s All Black oarsmen performed so creditably. The boat is being permanently housed in Bluff. Clay Bird Gun Club. A novel item, and one which is sure to prove a big attraction to the public, has been arranged for the second day of the regatta. With the permission of the Bluff Harbour Board, the Clay Bird Gun Club will hold a shoot on the wharf. As the discs will be thrown out over the water there will, of course, be no danger to the spectators, many of whom will be seeing clay bird shooting for the first time, and it is safe to say the club will have its largest audience to date when the shooting begins. Obituary. A link with the early days of the port was severed on Thursday last with the death of Mr Arthur Sinclair at his residence, Point Road, Bluff. Failing health had for some time kept him confined to his home, but previous to that he was a well-known figure locally, especially before his retirement from active duty on the waterfront. The late Mr Sinclair, who had reached the advanced age of 86 years, was born in the Shetland Islands and came out to the Dominion about the year 1860 with his parents and other members of their family. After residing at Stewart Island, where the family engaged in the fishing industry, he arrived in Bluff and entered the service of the Bluff Harbour Board as one of the crew of the pilot boat (prior to the acquisition of a tug). Resigning from the board’s service, he joined the Railway Department as a porter and was eventually promoted to the position of wharf foreman, in which he displayed marked ability in supervising the handling of cargoes, particularly in the years when large quantities of gram were being shipped for export at Bluff. In those days be became very well known to the shipping fraternity and by one and all he was held in the greatest respect, not alone for his efficiency in his every day duties, but also for his unfailing courtesy and consideration for others. Possessed of a cheery and kindly disposition, he was regarded as one of nature’s gentlemen; and it can be said that he was looked on with affection by all with whom his work brought him in contact. The esteem in which he was held was. evidenced by the large number of friends who followed the hearse on foot on the long journey from the deceased’s home to the cemetery, in addition to those in cars. The late Mr Sinclair had the honour of being a foundation member of the Manchester Unity 1.0.0. F. Lodge in Bluff (the fiftieth anniversary of which was celebrated a little while ago) and members of the Order in regalia attended the interment in Bluff cemetery on Saturday afternoon, and also acted as pall-bearers. Services at the house and graveside were conducted by the Rev. A. E. Waite, of the local Methodist Church, to which denomination the deceased belonged. The lodge service was read by Bro. G. Giles, chaplain. The pall-bearers were Bros. W. B. Dixon, J. White, T. Gray, T. Lee, T. Breayley and I. Charleston. Many beautiful wreaths were placed on the casket.

The late Mr Sinclair, after taking up residence at the port, married a widow who had formerly been Miss Sarah Edwards (a member of an old and highly respected family of Bluff) by whom he was predeceased many years ago. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs James Dawson, of Point Road, Bluff.

Sports Meeting.

The first sports meeting of the season of the Bluff Amateur Athletic Club, held in Argyle Park on Thursday evening, was well patronized by the public and proved a very enjoyable and successful fixture. The pleasure of patrons was greatly enhanced by the Waterside Workers’ Band which marched onto the ground, led by Mr A. E. Budd, and played a number of selections under the baton of Conductor E. Bigwood. The evening was perfect for outdoor sport and the track in good order after a considerable amount of work by the committee. Very promising form was shown by several of the runners, particularly T. Pickering (first in 100 yards, and 220 yards handicaps) and T. Heads (first in junior 100 yards) who also won the hop, step and jump event. In the mile race W. Tait, the youthful limit man, set a fairly solid pace from the start and maintaining it to the finish won comfortably from his Greenhills clubmate J. Bremer and G. Sutherland. The result of the main events have already appeared in the Southland Times. As usual the juveniles were well catered for with lolly and peanut scrambles while there were also children’s races. The results of these were as follows: Girls 10 to 14 years, Florrie Denny 1, Joyce Rutledge 2, Ray Oxley 3; first boys’ race, Bert Budd 1, Raymond Denton 2, Eric Hardy 3; second boys’ race, Len Tipene 1, George Lee 2, Eddie Johnston 3. The officials deserve credit for a well-handled meeting which was thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators. The committee is composed of the following: Messrs H. Burr (president), G. Sutherland (secretary), A. E. Budd and J. Forrest (handicappers), T. Stewart (starter), J. Burke, C. Denny and J. Sullivan (judges). D. Cameron, H. Stevens, W. Gilson, J. Kelly, H. W. Campbell (announcer).