BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 25313, 17 June 1935, Page 12

BLUFF NOTES

OCEAN BEACH DANCE ' . " '• . y H (From Our Correspondent) That the annual dance given by the employees of Ocean Beach is one of the most popular functions of the year was again'demonstrated on Thursday night when a big crowd gathered in the cooling room at the freezing works, which through the courtesy of the management is yearly made available to the Social Committee. A large contingent was present from Invercargill and district (including several members of the Ocean Beach Freezing Company’s town staff), while there were also visitor’s from as far away as Winton. As usual, Bluff supplied a host of patrons. The committee responsible for arranging the dance was composed of the following: Messrs J. H. Drake and J. Hardie (joint hon. secretaries), E. Low, G. McNeill, J. Flynn, A. Low and H. Low. A willing band of workers had transformed the big cooling room, screening all the walls to prevent draughts and adding greenery and bunting which made a very attractive background for the many pretty costumes in evidence. The Troubadours’ Orchestra (Invercar(gill) provided excellent music for dancing. The catering was in the hands of Mr R. V. Weir.

The grand march was led off by Mr J. A. Stewart and Mrs W; Watson, a large proportion of those present taking part, and from then on dancing was kept going briskly, long waits being avoided by the M.C’s., Messrs S. C. Harland and O. Wiig, who earned commendation by the manner in which they controlled proceedings. After the supper .interval Mr Stewart, on behalf of the committee, voiced his pleasure at seeing such a splendid attendance. The dance, he said, was now established as a yearly function and it was obvious that it was an exceedingly popular one when it drew such large numbers to Ocean Beach. The speaker stressed the fact that the committee did not desire to make money out of the dance, the sole idea being the arrangement of an evening which would prove enjoyable to all who attended. It should be remembered that the annual function was made possible only through the attitude of the company which always cheerfully and willingly assisted by giving the use of the cooling room, lighting, etc., and naturally this was fully appreciated by the committee and the employees generally. Mr Stewart concluded by announcing the following couples as winners of the spot waltz competitions: Mr M. Smith and Miss M. Mitchell, and Mr Batt and Mrs L. Drewe. Granite Quarry. The imminent closing down of the granite quarry at Bluff is regarded with concern at the port, as it must have a serious effect on the unemployment position locally; especially in view of the fact that the freezing works at Ocean Beach will shortly conclude operations for the season. The matter was considered at a meeting of business people, held in Messrs Nichol Bros’, office on Friday evening. Mr T. F. Doyle, who was elected chairman, apologized for the unavoidable absence of his Worship the Mayor (the Rev. A. E Waite). Among those present were: Messrs E. A. Nichol, H. A. Ferguson, A. C. McKillop, P. Ford, H. Murphy, J. McQuarrie, J. H. Doyle, W. Butler, W, T. Walker, B. Boberg, W. L. Johnston. A. Cooper, O. F. Metzger. The chairman said the meeting had been arranged to discuss the proposed closing of the quarry and, if possible, to devise some means of keeping the work going, thus providing continued employment for twenty or more men who would otherwise be forced into the ranks of the unemployed. The latter would be inevitable if the industry was not kept going. He (Mr Doyle) believed the business people of Bluff should make representations to the proper authorities and request an _ inspection of the position, so that it might be found possible to keep the quarry going, even (if necessary) by a subsidy. Mr de la Perrelle should also be communicated with in the matter. Mr E. A. Nichol stressed the seriousness of the position to Bluff. It had been understood that the men at the quarry would have three years’ work and the sudden closing down was greatly to be regretted. Tire speaker agreed that the facts should be laid before Mr de la Perrelle, MJP., by a deputation, while the Hon. Adam Hamilton should be also interviewed and made fully aware of the position, so that his sympathy could be enlisted. The position certainly demanded seri- x ous consideration. After a lengthy discussion it was decided to ask Mr Ferguson (secretary of the local Unemployment Committee) to forward a telegram to the Hon. S. G. Smith (Minister for Employment) advising him of the position and asking that the work be subsidized so that the quarry could be kept in operation. The necessity for speedy action was emphasized by several speakers and it was also decided, on the motion of Mr W. Butler, that a committee consisting of the Rev. A. E. Waite, Messrs T. F. Doyle, E. A. Nichol and H. A. Ferguson should lay the position before Mr de la Perrelle and take whatever further action in the matter which they deemed necessary. In acknowledging a vote of thanks to the chair, Mr Doyle expressed pleasure at seeing such a rpresentative gathering. This showed that the interests of all were intermingled and that they were imbued with the community spirit The chairman concluded by thanking Mr Nichol for the interest he had shown in the position and for the use of his office for the meeting. Euchre. The weekly euchre tournament in aid of the funds of the local Dominican Convent drew one of the largest attendances yet recorded this year in Mr H. W. Campbell’s rooms in Gore street. Play was supervised by Mr M. Kelly. The winners for the evening were as follows: Ladies, Mrs H. McQuarrie 1, Mrs A. Nightingale 2; men, Mr E. Kelly I, Mr J. Woods 2. « M.U.L0.0.F. The monthly meeting of the Bluff Lodge. M.U.1.0.0.F., was held in Willard Hall last week, when Bro. L. Weir, N.G., presided over a good attendance of members. Lodge business of the usual nature was carried _ out and three new members were initiated/ into the order. It being the second night of nominations for the various chairs, the following were elected: N. Bro. L. Weir to G.M.; V.G., Bro. T. Breayley to N.G., E.S., Bro. A. Valentine to V.G.; Warden, Bro. P. Crawford to E.S. Tlie lodge was then closed in due form. Afterwards a ring was formed and P.P.G.M. Bro. J. S. A. McDougall, on behalf of the officers of the lodge, made a presentation to Bro. H. Denny, who recently became a benedict, and wished the young couple every happiness and success. Bro. Denny suitably replied.