WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18094, 9 June 1924, Page 11

WEST COAST NOTES

AN ARREST. (special to Tnts pkess.' 1 ) GKEYMOUTH, Juno 7. A young man, who was formerly a resident of the Hokitika district, was arrested last week in the Amberley dis-. trict by Detective-Sergeant Young, and will appear at the Magistrate's Court, Hokitika, to answer a charge of breaking and entering. During the Exhibition period, a tobacconist's shop was robbed of goods to the value of a considerable sum, and the charge to be preferred will be in. connexion with this matter. Tire. _At Hokitika, a- wooden building, situated at the rear of the Government Buildings, and occupied formerly by the Education Board, was destroyed by fire last evening. Blaclrwater Mines. The following is the return for May of the Blackwater Mines Company: — Crushed, 3300 tons of stone, yielding 1474 fine ounces of gold, valued at £6779. Working expenses were £4556, and working profit £2223. . Development costs wore £414, capital £264, and net profit £1."45. The gold is valued at £4 12s per fine ounce. Rainfall at Reefton. During May the rainfall at Reefton was 7.475 inches. Rain fell on 20 days, the maximum fall being ,!)3in on the 25th. Tunnel Traffic. A return gives the gross tonnage, including trucks but exclusive of engines, of traffic through tho Otira tunnel from west to east as follows: Week ending May 10th, 7930 tons; May 17tli, 8806 tons; May 24th, 7241 tons. Golf. A ladies' medal match was held by tho Greyniouth Golf Club on Saturday. Misses Wylcle, Meldrnm, and Reynolds tied with a net score of 91. Social and Personal. Mrs W. Jeffries returned to Hokitika on Saturday. Mr H. McKcowcn, of tho locomotive engineers' staff, Groymouth, leaves shortly for Christchurch, on promotion. Mr R. Francis, of tho Workshop Manager's office, Addington, will succeed Mr McKcoweri here. The latter has been very prominent in Association football circles. Mrs G. Schroeder left for Christchurch by Saturday's express. Included in the passengers for Christchurch by Saturday's express were Messrs H. W. Kitchingham and Wells (Hokitika),

Mr H. Kirk has been returned unopposed to the position of secretary of the Greymouth Waterside Workers' Union. Mr H. W. Lawrence has been returned vice-president. The position of president is being contested by Messrs C. Fraser, the sitting president, and J. McGinlay. The election will take place at a special meeting. Detective-Sergeant J. B. Young returned to the West Coast oh Saturday. Passengers from Christchurch by Saturday's express included Messrs W. J, Butler, C. Hall, and Newman. The Rev. J. P. Martin, of Greymouth, is conducting a short mission at the Methodist Church, Hokitika. Captain M. W. Buckley and Mr W. Harrington will Teturn to Christchurch on Tuesday. They will be tendered a civic farewell on Monday. Mr Flavell, managing director of the Westporc Coal Company, has returned to Dunedin after paying an official visit to the company's mines. . Tl>e death occurred at Greymouth, last night, of Mr Thomas Murphy, an old resident of the West Coast. Deceased was aged 85, and is survived by three daughters and one son. Mr 'M. J. Fogarty, secretary of-the Greymouth Jockey Club, is a son-in-law. Social at Waiuta. " A very enjoyable function ( was, held in the Blackwater Mines' Staff Club room, Vhen about fifty members of the mine and staff gathered to celebrate the forthcoming marriage of Mr H. A. Ord, mine storekeeper. Mr R. A. Stewart presided, and read apologies from Messrs E. W. Spencer and Gore Porter, who had sent their good wishes and regretted that the wild state of the weather prevented them from being present. A toast list was gone through, interspersed with musical items and ■comic sketches, making in all a most interesting and happy party. In proposing the toast of "Our Guest," the chairman paid a high tribute to the sterling qualities of Mr Ord in private life and in his official capacity. During the course of the evening the chairman made the presentation of a handsome liqueur stand, suitably inscribed, together with a roll of notes, wishing their guest and the futuro Mrs Ord every happiness and prosperity on behalf of his fellow-employees. In responding, Mr Ord thanked the chairman for his remarks, and stated he would ever remember the proud position he now held as the honoured guest at such a large, representative gathering. The following contributed items: Messrs A. Swetman, J. Gre'en, J. Hill, J. Rodden, D. Costigan, J. Bartlett, J. McEwin, A, Langley, J. Purton (2), W. Morgan, D. MeKane, J. Nicol, E. Davis, F. Baird, and E. Watts.

Dairying. Tho Buller Valley Co-operative DairyCompany has increased its output of butter this season to 186 tons. The very favourable ■weather has "produced an abundant growth of grass. f Personal. The residents of Stillwater tendered Mr P. Ryan, of the Railway Department, a complimentary social on the eve of hia departure for Westport, and presented him. with a Kaiapoi rug. The death is announced from New Plymouth of Mr Williaift Dent, formerly of Millerton.