DOWNPATRICK — Down High School’s prize day, December 18, was honoured by the presence of Lord Bangor, presiding as chairman of the management committee, Mrs. Parker, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education, the Dean of Down and a number of clergy, in addition to many parents and friends of the pupils.
Military uniforms were in evidence among the sober black gowns of the staff: the khaki of the headmaster, Captain A. Fowweather, M.Sc., on leave from the R.A.O.C.; the acting headmaster, Mr. T. Stevenson, B.Sc., in flying officer rig; the A.T.C. boys in Air force blue.
Lord Bangor stated that the last time he occupied the chair on the occasion of such an assembly there was a danger, of losing the school altogether by the intrusion of the evacuation authorities, but at a meeting parents expressed themselves in no uncertain manner, and he was thankful to say the storm was weathered.
As to Mr. Stevenson, he was among the first to volunteer for active service, but, the headmaster having been called up, the regional education committee withheld permission. Meanwhile, Mr. Stevenson had carried on the school work splendidly.
Captain Fowweather, at Mr. Stevenson’s request, presented the headmaster’s report.
CASTLEWELLAN — At the Rural Council’s meeting on Saturday, Mr. F. McKenna tabled a notice to formulate a scheme to improve Castlewellan water supply. Mr. Munce, the council’s engineer, estimated the cost of reconditioning the storage reservoir at roughly £2,000. Mitchell’s Bog, he said, the source of the supplementary supply, was at present overflowing.
Mr. J. J. Smyth, looking back on years of frustration, apparently not yet ended, asked if it would not have been wiser to take water from the Silent Valley.
BALLYNAHINCH — Dr. Hamilton, Ballynahinch, wrote the following to Downpatrick Poor Law Guardians on Saturday: ‘The work of Ballynahinch dispensary district, very heavy in normal times, has increased enormously since the large number of evacuees arrived. I do not see how it can be possibly carried on single-handedly during the winter. I understand that the Home Ministry might authorise additional salary so that an assistant might be employed where necessary. The situation is urgent.’
Mr. Cleland proposed that a grant in aid be sought, the procedure to be perhaps on the same lines as the panel system, the allowance for panel patients being nine shillings a head.
The chairman, Mr. Nesbitt, took it that all doctors would come under any new arrangement; and the motion was duly passed.
CLOUGH — A concert took place in Clough Church Hall on December 12 under the auspices of 1st Clough Rangers, Guides and Brownies. The Brownies delighted everyone with their choruses and action songs. The Rangers rendered part songs very sweetly and scored a tremendous success in a short and amusing play. The Guides gave a good display of physical drill and folk dancing. Very acceptable too were renditions by Guides Carol Wilson and Yvonne McConnell.
The second part of the programme was opened by pianoforte solos by Patrol Leader Edith Kirby. Exhibitions of club swinging and folk dancing by the Rangers followed. The Brownies gave another of their engaging songs and then there were solos by Brownies Freda McConnell and Alma Johnston.
SHRIGLEY — In the High Court on Tuesday before Mr. Justice Brown, Annie Flanagan sued United Chrometanners, Ltd., of Shrigley, for damaged for alleged negligence. On 16th December, 1940, her right arm was caught in a hydraulic press, and had to be amputated above the wrist. Since then she had married. In court a settlement was announced on the terms of payment of £800 with costs. Their counsel stated that the defendants had always admitted liability under the Workmen’s Compensation Acts.
NEWCASTLE — Charles Coyne, Newcastle, is among the survivors of HMS Repulse. At least 2,300 officers and ratings were rescued after the sinking of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse out of a total complement of about 2,925.
DOWNPATRICK — Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Lowry, of Saul Street, have four sons serving overseas, three in the Middle East: David, in the R.A.O.C.; Hugh in the East Surreys; Jim, an engine room artificer on a well-known cruiser; and William, in the R.A.S.C. The last-named pair met for the first time in eleven years a few days ago.
SAINTFIELD — Saintfield Y.F.C. annual carnival dance in Carrickmannon Orange Hall on Tuesday night was to music by Bennett’s Band, and Mr. Wm. Geddis and and Mr. J. Maxwell fulfilled the duties of M.C. After supper Mr. Tom McVeigh delighted the company with his rendering of four popular songs. Prizes for a spot dance were won by Miss M. McNeilly and Mr. W. D. Anderson.
COMBER — Mr. William Niblock, 60 years, of Ballyalloly, Comber, threshing machine proprietor and farmer, while cycling at Broughmore, Maze, was killed in collision with a car.
KILKEEL — A telephone operator in Newcastle post office on the evening of December 10 fastened upon what were believed to be bogus calls to Belfast and Dublin, emanating from a Kilkeel kiosk, and causing no little trouble and delay. The police were communicated with, and the mischief was traced to two young men, with the result that on Tuesday one was fined 20 shillings and the other bound to the peace and required to report to Kilkeel barracks.