WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17997, 14 February 1924, Page 13

WEST COAST NOTES

A SLACK PORT

(special to "the rres jj .' r )

GREYMOUTH, February 13,

Casual workers who would join the Greymouth Waterside Workers' Union at the present time would bo qualifying themselves for nothing more strenuous than a prolonged rest on the stringers or in the watersiders' shelter shed. Seldom has the port been so slack as at present. Waterside workers regard the prospect philosophically, and one spoken to to-day proved a real optimist. The shipping companies, he said, are !ying back till the Minister of Railways issues the new schedule of freights, then the undercutting will commence. . e Harbour Board wili have to revise ita charges, and the public of Greymouth will reap the benefit. The completion of the tunnel has introduced a new factor, and for the first time the shipping companies are brought into competition with another method of transport. The cost of living is very high in this town, and householders will welcome the drop which will come through a reduction of freights. In

spite of high rents in the cities, it is easier to live on £4 10s a week in Ghristchurch or Wellington than on £5 in Greymouth. Oddfellows' Lodge. The annual district conferenco of the Manchester Unity, L0.0.F., was held at Greymouth yesterday, the following delegates attending:—Bros. D. W. Robertson, D.G.M. (chairman), P. C. Heaphy, T. H. Collins, and G. E. Perkins (Greymouth), T. McKenzie and 11. A. Gemmell (Westport), E. J. Chapman (Charleston), A. M. Murray (Ngakawa), C. Duske (Denniston), G. Pascoe, 8. Austin, and J. Auld (Reefton), W. H. Evenden (Kumara), F, Congreve (Stratford), and G. H. Cruse (Blackball). Also present were: Bros. P. Powell, Deputy D.G.M., G. Powell, District Secretary, and F. Pritchard (Ashburton), a member of the Board of Directors.

Bro. Perkins welcomed the visiting officers and brethren on behalf of the Greymouth Lodgo. The Auckland district telegraphed felicitations.

The application of the Greymonth Lodge for an appropriation of £IO9G out of its surplus of £1894 was approved, also an application from Charleston for an appropriation of a sum estimated at £350

Albert Lodge (Kumara) was voted £SO from the surplus district funds. The district secretary was voted £2OO for worlc entailed in consolidating the funds. Bros. G. Powell and G. H. Cruse 'were appointed delegates to the B.M.A. at Nelson in April.

Tho election of district officers resulted as follows:—D.G.M., Bro. P. Powell; Deputy D.G.M., Bro. T. McKenzie; District Secretary, Bro. G. Powell; Treasurer, Bro. J. Menzies; auditors, Bros. A. W. Simpson and E. C. Hageliorn. The retiring G.M., Bro. H. A. Gemmell, was presented with a jewel, and his name ordered to be placed on tho merit board. At the conclusion of the conference a smoke concert was held, and a lengthy toast list honoured.

Responding to the toast of tho Board of Directors, Bro. Pritchard said that this conference would result m a new era for tho Manchester Unity on the West Coast, The lodges which were better placed financially than the Westland lodges were prepared to advance £6OOO to the district to assist it out of its difficulties. State Miners' Union. The annual election of officers of the State Miners' Union resulted in the return of the moderates. The following were elected:—President, Mr J. F. Pattorson; secretary and treasurer, Mr W.

It. Smitli; general check inspector, Mr W. Barnes; #heck inspectors, Messrs R. C. Cooper, D. Hughes, and E. Knight; trustees, Messrs A. "Warwick and A. Keown; president Rewnnui branch, Mr G. English; secretary, Mr E. McAlavey; caretaker, Runanga Hall, Mr D. Barnes. Westland A. and P. Association. At the last meeting of the executive of the Westland A. and P. Association, over which Mi D. Jellie presided, an interim report on the recent show was submited. This disclosed that tha

financial result was fairly satisfactory. Various particulars were yet to come in, including a return of the results of the sale of pedigree stock. Appreciation of the support, accorded by exhibitors, especially those from a distance, and of all who assisted with the show was recorded. It was decided to make later a puulic announcement of the date selected for the distribution of prizemoney. Cattle from Canterbury. One of the benefits to be reaped by the completion of the tunnel is indicated by the action of Canterbury farmers who are railing 24 trucks of store cattle to the Coast, to arrive in Greymouth on Saturday. The cattle, of which there are about 200 head, have as their destination Wataroa, where a large sale will be. held on February 23rd. This development is probably due to tho shortage of feed in Canterbury at present.