The mayor, Ald. D. S. Kennedy made the first hoop on Monday morning to officially open the tournament which is held over ten days. A civic reception was held at the West Port Bowling Club to welcome the players, some of whom have been coming for 15 years.

The number of men playing increases each year and there were twenty males at the civic morning tea.

Tributes were paid at Friday night's annual dinner function to the safety record enjoyed by

Hastings District Flying Club and shire councillor Ion King described it "an excellent body on the go doing an excellent job for the community.

Councillor King tributed the club on its remarkable progress from ownership of one small plane worth $500 to today's "wing" of planes and assets worth $20,000. There were 140 members and guests present at the function held in the Port Macquarie R.S.L. Club auditorium.

Guest speaker was Mr. Geoff de Looze, an inspector with the Dept. of Civil Aviation. After extending a hearty welcome, Flying Club president Bob Richmond reviewed the past year which he described as unspectacular in that no new planes were bought, the high standards of flying training had been maintained, an air charter service of great benefit to the community had also been maintained and the non-profit club had managed to break even financially.

Above all, Mr. Richmond pointed to the club's safety record, which he described as second to none, with the club's aircraft flying 28,000 miles in the 12 months.

He referred to the Flying Club's cordial relationships with the controllers of the aerodrome, Oxley County Council, and he complimented the council on what he termed "its progressive attitude" towards the airport and the Flying Club.

The honour of being named pilot of the year went to Colin Harvey for his outstanding services to the club.

Warwick St. Clair's electrical store in Horton Street, Port Macquarie, was announced last week as the winner of the small retailer section of the Home Laundry Month competition which was organised by the Home Laundry Manufacturers Association of Australia in conjunction with Mingay's Journal.

Mr. Tom Crumpton, on the staff at St. Clair's, was announced as the winning floor salesman for the section. Mr. St. Clair received a telegram late last week advising him of the store's success.

The telegram stated, "your magnificent entry is an outstanding example of retail promotion." St. Clair's promotion had been that of "Mulga Bill," which had been run in conjunction with Wilkins Servis, through the assistance of Port Macquarie News, radio station 2KM, and television channels 8 and 11.

Mr. and Mrs. St. Clair and Mr. and Mrs. Crumpton travelled to Sydney to stay at the Chevron Hotel last night, to attend the presentation of awards dinner, at which they, along with the other winners, were guests of honour.

Mr St. Clair said the award is highly sought after.