OUR BLACKBALL LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 January 1903, Page 4

OUR BLACKBALL LETTER.

r O'JR own correspondent.]

The Blackball Coal Company wa3 unfortunate enough last week to 1036 a very valuable horse. Last Friday a runaway occurred and four tubs took possesion of oneoftho "jigs." One of the oldest horses, being thoroughly acquainted with its work and therefore the most valuable, was standing at the bottom of the "jig, when the tubs crashed into it with tremendous force, killing the horse instantly. The mine was idle on Saturday and today for the purpose of allowing the Government boiler inspector a chance to conduct his annual inspection. This is the first long break the working of the mine has now had for close on sis months. Mr Perotti of Greymouth visited Blackball last week for his usual inspec ion of the sawmill, and then proceeded up the Paparoas and returned to town last Saturday. Tha advent of the policeman has had a verv civilising effect upon several Blackball night prowlers. But last Saturday about midnight the peaceful quietne.s was rudely disturbed, when three rnorry youths.were making for ihc'r respective hom:s with more demonstration than was necessary, and were evidently unaware of the fact that the township now has a guardian. An unearthly yell and the striking of several matches for the purpose of looking for a lost sixpence, brought down upon these prowlers 'the man in blue." The language used was not choice, and all law abiding citizens must feel pleased at the decisive and effective reprimand administered Within two minutes ihese prowlers were very "scarce." The consensus of opinion is that the officials could have looked alt over New Zealand and could not have found a better policeman than the one chosen to "fill the bill." Blackba'l required no ordinary policeman and from the tact and resourcefulness displayed, all mint admit we have the right man in the right place. The usual crop of punt troubles, like the goosebarries is now ripe, but as our County is positive everything is managed properly, it is useless to com plain. Last Saturday evening a very strong committee, with Mr John Leitch as chairman and Mr James Sneddon as secretary, was formed for the purpose of making arrangements for the children's annual picnic. It was decided to bold the picnic in the mine paddock on Saturday, February 21st, and in the meantime several members were selected to canvass for subsoiiptions and make the necessary preliminary arrangements. Business is still developing in Blackball. Early in February a gentleman, hailing from Ahaura, intends opening a general grocery store at Blackball.