MORE PICNICKERS AT PORT

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 2

MORE PICNICKERS AT PORT

BLUFF’S POPULARITY INCREASING

PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE MEETING “More than 7000 persons visited Bluff as members of picnic parties last year and there is no doubt that the port is becoming more popular as a holiday resort,” stated the president of the Bluff Progressive League, the Hon. T. F. Doyle, at a meeting held on Tuesday evening.

“In my estimation Bluff excels all other picnic gathering places in Southland,” he said. “It is handy to all districts, and it has a variety of which no other place can boast.” A committee was formed to make an inspection of bathing sheds, and holiday facilities in preparation for the coming holiday season, and to send circulars to all sports committees, schools, churches and other. organizations in other districts. It was decided by the league to purchase two copies of Dr Bruce Howard s book “Rakiura” to assist the Stewart Island Centennial Committee in advertising Stewart Island. One copy of the book is to be given to the Municipal Library and the other is to be kept as the property of the league. In discussing the book one member of the league stated that the history of Stewart Island was not known to the average person and that the publication of such a book would do a lot to make tourists travel to the island. A letter was received from the St. John Ambulance Division stating that the services of the division would be placed at the disposal of the league in the coming holiday season for service at Argyle Park and at the beach in case of any emergency. The offer was gratefully accepted. The league has offered to supply an ambulance kit for the service. Reference was made to the installation of a gas boiler at Argyle Park for picnic parties and holiday campers. The present fireplace, which is in an exposed portion of the park is not satisfactory and plans for a new apparatus were submitted by one of the members. It was explained that the Bluff Borough Council was considering a site for a new camping ground; Argyle Park would then be kept solely as a park for children and picnickers. The heating apparatus would then be removed to the new ground. The league decided to hold the matter over for a year.

It was suggested by Mr Doyle that an outlined plan of the buildings for the new camping ground be prepared and submitted to the Borough Council as a suggestion and a guide to what the league thought would be most suitable and to advise the council that it would co-operate in an advisory and financial capacity in the building and the laying out of the grounds. The matter of playing areas for the children .of Bluff was also referred to and, as one member explained, Bluff with a population of 2600 was far behind other places of smaller size in this respect. It was decided to write to the council and ask if some headway could be made.

The numbering of the houses and business places in the residential area of Bluff was also referred to by the league, also the repainting of street signs. Both matters are to be referred to the council.

BOROUGH COUNCIL

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SCHEME The monthly meeting of the Bluff Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening, the Mayor (Mr J. Cameron) presiding. Those present were Councillors C. G. Pilcher, J. Ballantyne, G. Muir, O. F. Metzger, T. F. Doyle, A. E. Budd and W. Butlfer. . A communication was received from the Department of Labour, referring to the transfer of Scheme 13 men to Scheme 48, to relieve the shortage of farm labour and asking that those men who could not be transferred from the original scheme be engaged on essential work. It was suggested that the Scheme 13 men could be engaged on a council vegetable production scheme as had been done in other centres. The council decided to co-operate as far as possible and the Reserves Committee was instructed to investigate the scheme and was given the power to take the necessary steps.

Mr E. W. Strain, proprietor of the Town Hall Pictures, wrote asking permission to show pictures on Christmas Day. Permission was granted on condition that a suitable programme be arranged. The Bluff Cricket Club was granted permission to use the cricket ground in the coming season, and also the use of the council’s top-dressing materials, provided that all labour is supplied by the club.

Mr E. Edginton sought permission to sub-divide a section owned by L. P. Denton and R. Arnett. Permission was granted. A complaint was received from the Southland Cool Stores Ltd., about an unsatisfactory water supply at the company’s cheese store. The matter is to be investigated by the council to see if some improvement cannot be made.

Accounts for the month amounting to £1544/14/- and council requisitions amounting to £246/4/7 were passed for payment. The council decided that unless arrears of rates were paid within one month, prosecution would follow unless suitable arrangements were made. MAGISTRATES COURT A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held on Tuesday morning. Messrs J. R. McDougall and D. E. S. Mason, J.P.s, presided. James Spencer Ryan, labourer, aged 37 years, was charged with assault on a barman in the Eagle Hotel and with causing mischief. Ryan was convicted and discharged on the first charge, and on the second charge was ordered to pay the cost of damage, amounting to 7/3. INTER-CLUB TENNIS The first competition games of the season are to be played on Saturday, the Bluff A grade team meeting Central at Central courts at 1.30 p.m. The team is: J. M. Hamilton, A. M. Wilson, W. L. Doyle, E. G. Parsons; Miss E. Crockett, Mrs A. M. Wilson, Mrs W. Burtenshaw and Miss D. Mitchell. Emergencies: D. B. Hamilton and Mrs L. J. Morrison. The Bluff C grade team will meet the Moana Club No. II at Bluff, play starting at 1.30 p.m. The team is: G. Johnstone, R. Sutherland, S. Calder, L. Edwards; Miss M. Wares, Mrs McAhan, Miss J. Hannan and Miss L. Lopdell. Emergencies: Miss S. Downes and N. Dixon. PERSONAL Mr R. O. Brebner, of the railways relief staff, arrived yesterday to take up duties at Bluff.