WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1937, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. An Important Decision: WESTPORT, September 21. At the monthly meeting of the Nelson Education Board held yesterday Hon. W. H. Mclntyre in the chair, a report was submitted by the secretary regarding the proposed new school at Westport. The site was visited by Mr Harkness, a board member, and Mr Savage, the department’s architect, and it was recommended that Two separate schools taking all classes, be established at Westport, one at each end of the town, instead of a large central school. It was also recommended that the present, school ground be leased for business and residential purposes. The chairman stated he had always favoured the establishment of a side school at the southern end of the town to prevent children walking a long distance to the central school, but the suggestion for two separate complete schools up to the fourth standard was better still. The board adopted the sub-commit, tee’s report and instructed the secretary to get in touch with the Westport Borough Council re acquiring the two areas suggested, which were both Municipal reserves. Other Business:

Mr Harkness, reporting on a visit to Denniston and Burnett’s Face, with tile department’s architect, said the opinion was held that when the schools were consolidated on the hill Burnett’s Face should be left as a side school, taking pupils up to Std. 1; also that a suitable conveyance go right to Coalbrookdale for the children. The report was adopted. It was agreed also that the chairman should interview the Minister for Education re finalising the acquiring of the domain at Granity. A report submitted by the secretary in connection with an additional classroom at Murchison was adopted. It was decided that two large windows be placed in the western wall of Mawheraiti school. The Waimangaroa committee was granted £9 15s towards ground improvements. The department notified that Mr G. Overton will not take up his duties as senior inspector until February, 1938, and Mr E. Partridge would act until that date. The Education Department advised that arrangements were made to provide radio equipment to school committees at a largely reduced cost. The board made a special grant to a parent at Fern Flat, towards the cost of transport of 8 pupil across the Buller River. C. Baker, of Glenhope, wrote asking that the election of a school committee be held. The board regretted that it had no power as the school commis- ( sioner appointed held office until the committee elections next April. A complaint from A. Mouat, Sergeant’s Hill, regarding his boy being compelled to attend Westport school, was referred to the chairman, with power to act. The resignations of Miss E. Tully, assistant teacner, Westport and Mr E. Mason, assistant teacher at Denniston, were accepted. A request from the Burnett’s Face committee for an additional assistant was declined, as the number of pupils did not warrant the appointment. Miss E. Suisted, assistant teacher at Marton District High School, was appointed assistant at Westport. No applications were received for the assistant master’s position at Denniston District High School, and the position is to be re-advertised.

New Grants: Mr D. J. Archer, County chairman has received advice from Hon. P. C. Wbbb, that. Carter’s Beach Domain will shortly be gazetted and funds provided for reading accses and the planting of 10,000 trees on the area Hon. Webb also intimated that a further £5OO had been granted for road access on the pakihi lands development work, giving further employment to 12 men whose contracts on this work had been completed. Hospital Radio Fund: The sum already in hand for the purpose of providing radio service at thh various institutions in Westport would be considerably augmented as a result of the ball held last evening at the Theatre Royal. Dancing space was fully taxed and the Maori band from Wellington, and Mrs Curtis’ orchestra provided highclass continuous music. Card Tournament: The Labour Party’s card tournament was given big support, all available tables being occupied. An excellent supper was provided by the ladies’ social committee. Three players, Mesdames Wheatley, Anderson and Mr Horne, with 8 games each, tied for the euchre prizes, and in the play off the latter was successful with Mrs Wheatley in second position, and Mrs Anderson third. The forty-fives was won by Miss Ruby Anderson. Lecture on Russia: Mr H. L. Evans, who visited Russia as the United Mine Workers’ delegate, will relate his experiences in that country at St. James Theatre on Sunday evening next, at 8.15. Mr Evans is an able speaker and has command of a fund of information regarding a much-misunderstood country.

Personal: The following are guests at Hotel Buller: Mr and Mrs G. B. Bolt (Nelson). Miss Bolt (Nelson), Master Bolt (Nelson), Mr H. A. Findlay (Christchurch), Mr R. W. Robinson (Sydney), Mr J. M. McWhirter (Christchurch), Mr F. Baker (Auckland), Mr and Mrs H. G. Wiley (Wellington), Miss J. Wiley (Wellington), Mr W. E. Olds (Christchurch), Mr J. Rennie (Christchurch), Mr C. Cluskey (Christchurch), Mr S. L. Parker (Auckland), Mrs E. Campbell (Wellington), Mr and Mrs G. Durviss (Clinton), Mr J. Donovan (Christchurch), Mr A. Umbers (Christchurch), Mr P. Buzzard (Christchurch), Mr P. Garlick (Christchurch). Miss Norah O’Driscoll of the nursing staff of the Nelson Mental Hospital, is spending a holiday with her parents at Westport. Miss Heslop, of Karamea, is visiting Westport. Shipping: There were no arrivals yesterday. The Totara has sailed for Wellington. The Kaimai sailed this morning for Lyttelton and is due to return next Monday to load for Napier. The Wingatui is due to load here on Thursday, and the Kaiwarra on Friday for Auckland.

Ladies' Golf: The draw for the Thomas Brown rose bowl knock-out competition to be played under the auspices of the

Ladies’ Golf Club before October 3, is as follows: — Miss Robertson v. Mrs Seyb. Mrs Bird v. Miss Doyle. Mrs Nahr v. Miss D. Brown. Mrs Roberts v. Mrs Davies. Mrs Colvin v. Mrs Holdgate. Mrs Walker v. Miss Hay-MacKenzie. Mrs Wilson v. Miss Beck. Mrs Slee v. Mrs Mullan. The third round of the foursome must be played by September 26. The last club matches resulted:— j?lag match: Mrs Bird, who carried the flag to the 18th green. Stableford bogey: Mrs A, A. Wilson 35 points. The draw for the bogey match an Thursday, September 23, ip:—• Mrs Nahr v. Mrs Wilson. Mrs Mullan v. Mrs Slee. Mrs Bird v. Mrs Seyb. Miss Slee v. Mrs Walker. Miss Treloar v. Mrs Holdgate. Miss Robertson v. Miss Atkinson. Mrs Batt v. Miss D. Brown. Mrs Roberts v. Mrs Colvin. Mrs Parker v. Mrs Davies. Mrs Skilton v. Miss Payne. Miss Beck v. Miss E. Brown. Mrs Smith a bye. Increased Role Number:

Reporting at a meeting of the committee of the Westport Primary School, the headmaster stated the number of pupils had now reached 643 (333 boys and 310 girls). The roll number last year was 618. The staffing of the school for 1938 will be based on the average roll number for the month of September and in order to raise the school to sub-grade VII E it will be necessary to secure an average of 655. Parents should be urged to enrol all children who will be of school age during the month.

Sportsman Farewelled: Mr R. Thurlow, who with his wife and family left this morning for Hamilton where they will in future reside, was met last evening by a number of friends and presented with an inscribed tobacco pouch as a token of the esteem in which he was held. Mr J. Brown, in making the presentation expressed regret at MrThurlow’s departure from Westport, and wished him and his family every success in the North Island. Other speakers were Messrs R. Halliday, M. O’Dea, T. Brown, J. McFadden and J. Green, all of whom referred to Mr Thurlow’s connections with sporting bodies and the loss his departure from Westport would be to bowling and other pastimes. Mr Thurlow briefly returned thanks for the present and the kind references made to himself by the speakers.

Card Tourney: There was again good patronage and keen competition at the card tourney of the Women’s Branch of the Labour Party. The usual tasty supper was provided by the Ladies’ Committee. Following were the prize-winners—Euchre: Mr. T. McKenzie 1, Mrs. Coyne 2, Mrs. Dixon 3. Miss D. Collins, was awarded the consolation prize. Mr. R. Dobson won at Forty Fives, and “Buster” Shaw won a chocolate competition.