WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1927, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, Feb. 22. Vessels of the U.S.S. Coy. which are expected to load this week are the Karori, for Wellington; Kaponga, for Auckland; Komata, for Wellington; and Kaiapoi, for Napier. The Westport Stockton Coal Company’s output for the week ending February 19th, was 4123 tons 18cwt of coal. It appears strange that the water cart was not utilised at the Show Grounds, the* dust nuisance being very aggravat ing. It was understood the Borough Council granted the use of the Borough watering cart for the purpose. May 1 be permitted a few notes upon hand-shaking? This is going to be a matter of much concern later, when the Duke and Duchess arrive, and much more to the Duke than to those whe shake hands with him. It is recorde 1 in a London print that Air and Airs Baldwin, at the People’s Palace, Aide End Road, shook hands with 2000, but that is nothing like a record. When die present King was Duke of York, he at Alelbourne shook 5000 hands in one hour, the result being that his hand swelled to a prodigious size and looked ike a raw shoulder of mutton. Tho Prince of Wales, new to the game, on his Canadian tour in 1919, had to carry his arm in a sling, and his forearm was -■o sore that he could hardly use it. A Harley Street specialist says: “The nervous system of the whole body is jarred by handshaking, and that jar is communicated right up the arm, desi orting Ihe communicating nerves of the spine, and transmitting itself to every part of the body. Queen Victoria and the Kings and Queens before knew nothing of this painful practice. It was King Edward that instituted it. It has been stated that hand-shaking was one of the contributory causes of the death of President Roosevelt. After a handshaking bout at his home at Oyster Bav this eloquent denunciation of the prac tice is written. “He lay hack in a chair, quivering with his inert arm out-

stretched upon the side of the chair.” Now, why could not the hand-shaking of the Duke and Duchess be rationed

out or controlled while going their round. Say, shake with the Afayor, he represents the citizens; shake wi’h the M.P., he represents the district; and, say, shake with the County Chairman, iepresenting the County. The ti ip, J feel sure, would be far more enjoyable.

May Day, the workers’ holiday.—At West Maitland N.S.W., the Northern District Alay Day Committee has declared for a workers’ holiday; no race •neetings, with the shouts of bookies; no sports meetings; but a workers’ holiday. devoted to propaganda work. Last year the Committee declared a race meeting held at Rutherford “black”. In the “wee sma’ hours” on Alonday morning the firebell clanged it? loudest, a vigorous arm being at the rope. After a short respite, the clang ing started afresh, it being one of th< bi st alarms experienced in Westport. Crowds soon gathered, when it was discovered that the fire was in Palmerston Street, and in. the centre of the road, near the intersection of Lynd hurst and Palmerston Streets. Prom evi deuce supplied it appears that the cai if Air Morley, of “Alorley’s Stone Ginger” fame, had run into that of Tommy Shaw, Tommy’s car being parked on the line. Upon investigation. Tommy’s car was resting against tho verandah post of Green’s mercery department, while Morley’s car was in flames. The Fir? Brigade, with commendable promptitude, extinguished the flames with the aid of the chemical apparatus. The extent of. the damage to Alorley’s car is unknown, but Tommy Shaw’s is not very serious. The usual Thursday night card tourney will take place at the Friendly Society Hall this week at 8 p.m. The prizes are £l. first (for ladies and gents), 10/- for second. The 45’s prize The Rev. Monsignor Ormond is expected to arrive from Auckland on Tuesday, to attend the funeral of his brother, Air Jas. Ormond. It is possible that two sisters who are in Wellington, will also attend the funeral.

Air Cross, shunter in the Westport yard, is under orders to transfer to Wellington. Al.iss J. Woodward left for Christchurch on Saturday, where she will attend the Teachers’ Training College.

Alessrs Bowatcr and Bryan’s town mill is to cease operations, and it Is stated 28 men are unemployed thereby, the mill at Cape roulwind being considered competent to fulfil all orders coming in. Probably the Government may see fit to put sufficient duty on imported timber to keep the sawmills in the .Dominion working. In connection, however, with this proposition, it might be advisable to get guarantees that the prices of Dominion timber will not be raised, or the cure might be as

bad as the disease. At the intersection at the Orawaiti Road, where it branches off towards Snodgrass’s, an accident was narrowly averted on Saturday evening. A car coming from the country, but belonging to West port, was being driven at a furious rate round the bend, and nearly collided with an outbound car. Someone will get hurt shortly. THE JUBILEE" FINALE. The gentlemen of the recent Jubilc Committee entertained the Ladies’ Coni mittce at a social evening at the Elit Tea Rooms on Alonday. The social tool the form of cards, dancing, vocal am instrumental items and recitations Mrs Curtis supplied the music anti Air E. Jones acted as AI.C. for the dances During the evening the following con tributed to the programme. —Recitatioi “Tim Houghlan’s Alaro and the Grey mouth Chinaman,’’ Air. Frank Galon “AleCarthy’s Widow an] the Charlod

ton Football Fight,” Mr. Dan Moloney “Long Ago and Sunny Spring” by Mr Riiey; “The Swagman’s Horse and th Swagman’s Rest”; Mr. Win. Sherlock A cordial welcome was extended to th ladies by Mr. G. Martin in the absenc of Mr. F. S. Wood and Mr. Barker. lie congratulated the Ladies’ Committee and their chairwoman and secretary. They had done a great amount of work and helped on the Jubilee to a greats success. He read a telcgrom from Mr F. S. Wood from Christchurch, regret ting not being present. Mrs Bird thank ed the gentlemen for the pleasant even 1 ing. She knew a good committee am one could not work with a better on than this one. The Secretary of th Ladies’ Committee was one of the best She paid a great compliment to Miss A Holland. A recitation “The Blackbird’ by Mr. Medsom was followed by an other, recitation ‘‘Norah O’Grady” bj Mr. Howarth. Mr. 11, E. Holland gave Heading from Artemus Ward, and an otixer recitation <‘The Family at th' Show” was given by Mr. P. Struthers lAuld Lang Syne brought, a/very pleas ant earning tu a close.