WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 7

WEST COAST NOTES

MINING MATTERS,

(SPZCIAI. TO "THE phess.")

GREYMOUTH, January 30.

The State miners arc endeavouring to have the agreement under which they work amended to make the wages and conditions similar to those now in force m other Coast mines. " A deputation from the Union interviewed tho superintendent of State mines (Mr I. A. James), and requested that the agreement be amended. The representations were noted by the superintendent, and will be forwarded to the Mines Department at Wellington. Mr Hubert Boustridge and partv, who have been working on the co-oper-ativc system in the old Brunner mine, uncovered this morning a face of coal nine feet thick. The coal is small but good, and can be used for steam, gas, or smithy purposes. A Nasty Mishap. Thomas Power, a resident of South Beach, who was a guest at the Albion Hotel, between midnight and one o'clock, knelt on the side of his bed to adjust the window of his room, when he overbalanced and fell outside. He clutched at some spouting that led from the roof to the ground, but it did not prove strong enough to enable him to gain a foothold, and he was thrown a distance of about twenty feet to the concrete flooring of the hotel courtyard, fracturing his kneecap, and suffering severe bruises. He was conveyed to the Hospital, where he will remain as an inmate for some time. Power came to town yesterday to at- i tend a meeting of co-operative contractors called by Mr James Beban, the' successful tenderer for the Lake Cole, ridge No. 2 tunnel contract. This afternoon Power wa3 reported to be fairly comfortable. .. Wedding. St. Patrick's Church was the scene of a wedding this morning, the bride being Ruby Irene Goodman, eldest daughter of Mrs Goodman, ..of Auckland, and formerly of Grcymouth, and the bridegroom William Constnntine Roche, accountant of the National Bank, Greymouth. The bride was given away by Mr M. Keating, and wore a beautiful dress of white French crepe do chine, with wreath and veil. She also wore a string of pearls, the gift of the bridegroom. Her toilette was completed by a ahower bouquet. She was attended as bridesmaid by her sister, Miss Phyllis Goodman, who wore a saxe blue satin frode with hat to match, and carried a pale pink bouquet. Mr E. McDonnell was best man. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Father Roche, brother of the bridegroom. Mr and Mrs Roche left later for the Franz Josef Glacier on their honeymoon. The bride travelled in a fawn costume with shoes and stockings to match. Swimming Club. A meeting of the Greymouth Swimming Club was held last evening, Mr P. F. Thorpy prsiding. It was resolved to install a new springboard at Cobden. A programme for a swimming carnival to be held on February 13th was drawn up. It was decided to hold a schools' relay race for the Hutchings Memorial Shield in connexion with the" carnival.. Highways Council. A meeting of the Main Highways Council for the West Coast district was held last evening, Mr J. D. Gillies, District Engineer, P.W.D., presiding. Also present were: Messrs D. McVicar (chairman of the County Council), and J. Higgins (Grey County Engineer). The Grey County Council wrote stating that it was sought to have the following roads declared main hghways — Main road from Big Grey River to Greymouthy and thence to the Teremakau boundary; Coast road from Greymouth to Westport. The Inangahua County Council applied to have the Inangahua-Big Grey road recommended as a main highway. The Buller County Council asked that the main coastal road from North Karamea to Inangahua Junction be recommended as a main highway. It was decided to attach this correspondence to any recommendations made. ■,,,,_• It was agreed to call a full meeting of the Council to meet the representatives of the Highway Board no later than Wednesday evening of'next week. The Engincer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, wrote asking that the. Council supply particulars as to roads it is proposed to declare main, highwavs. -It was decided to defer the reply till such time as the Council is in a position to make recommendations. The chairman reported that one of the representatives of the" Main Highways Board, probably Mr G. T. Murray, Inspecting Engineer of Roads, would be arriving on the West Coast early, and would confer with the Council. New School at Cobden. The ceremony' in connexion with the opening of the new State primary school at Cobden took place this afternoon, there being a large number of parents present. The pupils, who resumed to-day after the summer holidays, were also present in force. Mr C. Orams, chairman of the School Committee, presided. Addresses were given by Messrs H. R. Barrett (chairman of the Cobden Town Board), W. H. Parfitt (Mayor of Greymouth), J. Tennent (chairman, Greymouth State School Committee), A. Peverill and E. H. Andrews (Canterbury Education Board), the last-named declaring the < school open. Mr H. J. Bignell was un- , able to attend, and forwarded an apology for absence. The Weather. Since Sunday, the weather on the Coast has been a mixture of good and bad, mostly the latter, and heavy showers have alternated with fitful bursts of sunshine. A. AND P. SHOW(SPECIAL TO "THE PBBSd.") HOKITIKA, January 30. The Westland A. and P. Show was concluded to-day in unfavourable weather, the attendance being below that of previous years. The following wereadditional awards: — Draughts —Mare, dry, any age: Kennedy Bros. (Greymouth) 1. Gelding, any age: Kennedy Bros. 1, SeaviewHospital 2, Master J. Coyle 3. Two-year-old filly or gelding: F. C. Marshall 1. Cattle —Crossbred cow, any age, in milk: Mrs M. Moynihan 1, J. Fleming 2. Dry cow, any age: J. Fleming 1. Cotter's cow, any breed, in milk: J. Mclntyro 1. Cow, dry, any ago: J. Mclntyre l'-V Three pail-fed calves: Mrs M. Moyaihan 1, J. Fleming 2. Sheep —Crossbred —Pen of throo fat wethers, any age: F. J. Andrews 1. Pen of three fat lambs, any breed: Mrs M. Moynihan 1. Visitors Entertained. The members of the Association met the judges and visitors last evening,

Mr D. Jellie, president,, occupying the chair.

Mr W. Kelcher, president of the Rangiora A. and P. Association, said lie believed the invasion of Canterburystock would have a good effect. He was surprised at the possibilities of the Coast.

_ Messrs Parlane and Hunt expressed similar sentiments and appreciation of tho kindnesses extended them.

Mr Fleming:, president of the Amberley A. and P. Association, emphasised the value of meetings such as that at which they were present.

Mr H. R. Green, one of-tho judges, said he supported the careful and studied improvement by every- daii*.farmor of his herd. He advised every association to give trophies rather than prize-money, and stressed the value of milking strains as the classes to be encouraged. Messrs T. H. Overton and Nicholls also spoke. Mr W. Jeffries, a member of the local Association, assured the visitors that the invasion of outside stock was sought by the Association. He regretted the absence of Hereford entries, as in 1900 Hereford stock had been sent to Addington from the Coast and topped the market. Messrs Peach and Jenkins, two Canterbury visitors, gave valuable advice for the improvement of tho show in future years. Harihari Races. ■ The following handicaps have been ' declared for the trotting events at the Harihari races on Saturday;— Victory Trot, one mile —Roger Leyland scr, Impudence scr, Whispering Bell scr, Ring scr, Waystar-150yds bhd, Romany Rose 150, Bell Heathcoto 240, Clarice Wood 240/ Irvingdale 360 Smithy Dillon 360." ■ , Harihari Handicap Trot, li miles— Roger scr, Impudenco scr, Leyland scr, Whispering Bell scr, l?.ir : g scr, Waystar ISOyds bhd, Romany Rose 180, Bell Heathcote 360, Clarice Wood 360, Irvingdale 486, Smithy 486, Smithy Dillon 540. Warfare will not bo handicapped till later. Tho Exhibition. Mr W. J. Butler, president of the Exhibition Council, has received a telegram from the Prime Minister, expressing pleasure at the success of the Exhibition. Mr Massey states that he will not be able to "visit Hokitika on Saturday, closing day; The continuous telephone service will cease at midnight on Saturdajr. The expectations of the pro'motors of the Exhibition from an attendance point of view have been exceeded. The Exhibition Council has received a substantial demand for the materials used in erecting . the buildings. Swimming. ; ■ ( At;a meeting of the Hokitilca Swimming Club, it was decided to hold the annual swimming carnival.on February 13th. Native Land Enquiry. Recently it was stated exclusively in "The Press" that a Native' land enquiry was to •be held here. To-day his Honour Judge Rawson.' conducted an enquiry at the Courthouse, Hokitika,; as to certain allegations recently made by Arahura Natives . impeaching a transfer of a block of Native land known as Tuhua, in the Arahura Valley, formerly owned by the Natives but now registered in the names of two local European residents. ■ A large amount of .evidence was tendered by the Natives, which, if verified, will constitute a somdwhat serious charge. As usual in such cases a certain amount of irrelevant evidence was also tendered. It is understood that a report will be made in due course to . the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, and. the result will /be awaited with keen interest locally.