WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17939, 6 December 1923, Page 11

WEST COAST NOTES

* OUTBREAK OF FIRE. TO '"TOT rSE3a.'*! ! GREYMOUTH, December 5. An outbreak of fire occurred this morning in the drapery establishment owned by Mr J. W. Walker. Boundary street. The Fire Brigade was quiekly summoned by those ir. the shop, arid was soon on the scene. Chemicals soon extinguished the flames. According 1 to the firemen, if another minutes had elapsed before the iire discovered much damage would hat*? resulted. Questioned ai to the causae of the outbreak, Mr Walker said 5' was a mystery to him, as it broke out in a fireplace at the rear of the building which had not been used for some time. The stock was very slightly damaged. Foggy Weather. A dense fog descended upon Greymouth this morning, c-nveloping tae town to such an extent that no object could be discerned at a distance greater than a few yards. The district has lately been visited with some extremes of weather. Obituary, The death of Mrs Wogan, of Hokitika, took place at the Westland Hospital yesterday, after an illness extending over a, considerable period. Deceased was a native of Sydney. She arrived at Hokitika when an infant, and with her parents bad been resident; there ever since. Her' husband, Mr Samuel "Wogan, died nine years ago. She leaves a family of six sons and three daughters. Floods in the South. The rivers in South Westland are heavy flood and motor-cars are experiencing a difficulty in getting through the unbridged creeks. On Monday night six inches of rain fell and there was a tremendous volume of water in the Waiho. It was said to be the greatest flood for 12 years. Great blocks of ice could be heard from the hotel dashing their way to the sea. On Tuesday the creeks were in high flood. One of Newman Brothers cars was able to get through, but the larger one was forced to give tip the attempt. Several private ears were also'held up. Dry Creek was found to be the greatest obstacle and the ford had the appearance of having been the centre of volcailic activity. It was necessary to cut a track through the shingle and debris before the car could get across, although there was not a great volume [ of water in this creek. ' ' Back Creek Nursery. The Forestry Department has chosen excellnt land" for the site of its nursery at Back Creek near Rimu. The land is made up of silt washed down from the old sluicing claims, and is some of the most fertile near Hokitika. A number of men are employed in removing stumps to prepare an area for the plough, and about five acres will be levelled in readiness for seed beds next spring. The Department is also having 200 acres of land cleared, in preparation for the planting of exotics. Seals in the South. It is not generally known that in the far- south, at the Cascades, there is a seal rookery where these animals are very plentiful. Seals are protected, of course, but during the open season a few years ago Messrs Nolan Bros, sent away about 300 skins to the English market. . The seals are somewhat nomadic in their habits, and are occasionally seen as far north as Okura. The Hokitika Exhibition. The interior of the Exhibition buildings is becoming the scene of intense activity. Messrs Barry and Sargent, opticians, are the first to have their stand completed, and that of Messrs Turnbull and Jones is also well forward. The New Zealand Refrigerating Company has constructed a fine stand, with a bull's head at each end. Lever Bros., who are making a display of soaps, are understood to be preparing a striking exhibit. A working bee has been engaged during the last couple of days in adding to the decorations. Coloured shades have been provided for the numerous electric lights in the interior of the buildings. This work is being done voluntarily by the following ladies and gentlemen: Mesdames Sweeney, and Shand, Misses Eoss (2), Stapleton (2), King, Thompson, Thorn, Andrews, Maunder, Sweeney, and Butland, and Messrs Sweeney and Ross. Hokitika Improvements. Among the improvements effected iu the Hokitika Borough during the last few weeks have been the repairs to the wharf, the painting of the Harbour Board's offices and sheds, and the cleaning up of the precincts. The total cost of these works will be about £BSO. The Hokitika bar is capable of talcing vessels drawing over 14 feet at present and is said to be very reliable. All the streets in the centre of the borough are being graded and channelling is being laid down in the case of many. Dairying Industry. The new dairy factory at Hokitika is now operating and 75 boxes of butter have been sent to the grading store at Lytte'ton since Sunday. The company has not yet announced the price being paid for butter fat, but. states that the highest ruling rate will prevail. Supplies are being received from a district extending from the Teremakau district to Harihari. The installation of fresh machinery is under consideration. Those railing perishable goods such _as butter from Hokitika to Canterbury "consider that delays which could easily be avoided are being occasioned in transit causing loss through lower grading. The Railway Department is said to insist on 24 hours' notice for truck loads, and it is considered that this period is much too long. New Road Roller. The Westland County Council has purchased a road roller of up-to-date pattern, and yesterday it was assembled, and taken to Kanieri, where it is to operate a s.one crushing plant for the time being. Hokitika Bowling Club. At a meeting of the Hokitika Bowling Club last evening, presided over by Mr W. Wilson, it was decided to continue with the arrangements for a tournament during the Exhibition. The use of the local green in connexion with the holding of the Coast bowling tournament at Greymouth in February was offered to the Greymouth Club.