WEST COAST NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14055, 29 May 1911, Page 7

WEST COAST NOTES.

(FROM OUH- OWN CO-_a__-_O-_>E_?T.)

GREYMOUTH, May 28,

Dr. Henderson, late director of tho School of Mines, recently stated that in nis opinion the mining lodes of Reefton would go, down, and that at 5,000 feet gold mining would be as payable as at present. Ho had great faith in tho future, of Reefton, and felt sure that the day would come when now abandoned fields would bo worked with advantage. Mr Whitley, retiring Inspector of Mines, has also stated that in nis opinion tho future of .Reel ton will be a great one. As if hacking up the opinion of these experts, Mr. Gibson, who is a well-known authority on coal, states that it is only a question of timo before Reefton coal hecomes keenly enquired ior, when tho "hole in the hill" is put through. He feels sure that a great trado will ho opened up in Reefton coal, which ho describes a.■ the best steam and domestic coal iv tho world.

The total number of registration forms received by tho local defence officers for the week ending 27th May is 99, which is tho largest number ycb received for ono week. The total number registered to dato is 558. It is expected that tho majority of those liablo to servo will havo registered by the 2nd June.

Mr W. Atkin, proprietor of thc "Westport News" has returned from a few days shooting in the Little Wanganui Valley. He is greatly impressed witli tho country, which ho describes as "magnificent limestone country capable of carrying thousands and thousands of sheep and cattle." Greymouth has nothing to complain of with four survey parties hard at work laying off land, most of which has been taken up. A largo block, costing the original buyer 8s per acre, is being sold at £3 per acre, and much of it will probably command oven higher prices. Men havo been coming from all parts of tho North Island to take up this land, winch stretches away to ;Mt. Radiant and right through tho Karamea Bight to the Heaphy. What is required now is the opening up of the present road. Mr. Atkin waa shown somo magnificent specimens of tomatoes, pumpkins, vegetable marrows, etc., the soil in some places was of great depth, one settler in fencing going down Bft without bottoming tho soil. He is convinced that there is sufficient pastoral country iv the Little Wanganui Valley and Karamea Bight to Keep a freezing works going. A search is being made by tho Railway. Department for a caso of watches, clocks, etc., valued at £30 consigned from Westport to Seddonville,. and which has gone astray or been stolen.