WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18152, 15 August 1924, Page 15

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRI88.") GEEYMOTTTH, August 14. The English League team left this morning for Christchurch, a large' number of local supporters of the game bidding them farewell at the railway station. The Englishmen were not in a demonstrative mood, the dismal weather conditions experienced here since their arrival possibly having affected them, and at the call of the Mayor (Mr W. H. Parfitt) hearty cheers were given for the visitors, who responded by singing "Mother England."

Mr C. Parfitt has received a permanent appointment as chief clerk at the State mines. Mr H. Ellis, surveyor in the employ of the State Mines Department, left this morning for Waihi on transfer. Mrs Stratford, wife of Mr Stratford, of Aratika, sawmiller, was admitted to the Grey River Hospital to-day. A young man named Lindbbm suffered serious injury to his hand to-day through coming in contact with a saw at the Aratika mill. The "Very Rev. Father Colling, Superior of the Redemptorist Order, will commence a mission in the Hokitika district at the week-end. Mr George Craddock was tendered a social by the Westport Oddfellows' Lodge, and presented with a fountain pen. Mr M. J. Kennedy, general manager of the Wellington Gas Company, is visiting Greymouth. Mr B. Westfield, of the railway clerical staff at Westport, ha 9 received notice of transfer to Auckland. Wet Weather. Heavy rain has fallen without intermission during the last 20 ; hours, and indications are for a continuance. Work on the waterfront is being interrupted by the weather conditions. Borough Council,

The Greymouth Borough Council met to-night. Present, the Mayor (Mr W. li. P.irfitt) and Crs. G. E. Harker, F. A. Kitc-hingham, E. Williams, J. W. Greenslade, W. Armstrong, J. McGinlay, and H. F. Doogan. ' A letter was received from the district engineer, New Zealand Bailway3, notifying that that portion of- Alexander street .between Smith and Mackay streets, and the whole of Masters street had been taken by proclamation in the "Gazette" for railway purposes. It was the intention of the Department to erect an overhead bridge for pedestrian traffic over the lines at the present crossing,'- and it would be necessary to close this portion' of Alexander street for vehicular traffic. It was decided that 'the Works Committee confer with the Department's engineer in the matter. The Mayor announced that the Finance Committee • had gone into the matter of rates, and there would be no increase ' in those to be struck shortly. ... . . . Two residents wrote protesting against the closing of Grogane's lane. The Mayor said there was no intention to close the thoroughfare for pedestrian traffic. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee.

It was decided-to forward a f the local bodies' conference in favr.r of uniformity in methods of marking ballot papers. A draft copy of the Motor Vehicles Bill was explained by Cr. Doogan, and it : was decided' to' objC6t ttf its sions, which it was considered would have the effect of diverting revenue from local bodies. Cr. Greenslade said that borough councils were at least entitled to the annual license fees.

• The engineer- reported that the pipes necessary for the ' extension of the water supply to Blaketown should ariv. o from England in October. It was decided to grant a site for *i public hall at Blaketown. The resolution referring to sick pay for the Council's employees was. rescinded, and it was decided .that halfpay be allowed . permanent workmen for a period of twelve weeks during sickness, accident pay to be at the rate allowed under the Workmen's Compensation Act. ' The Finance Committee reported that the state of the Council's finances was at present very satisfactory.. It was decided to inform the public that the new by-laws would in future bo strictly enforced, and to draw attention to the by-law requiring, pedestrians to obcerve the keep-to-the-left rule. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Christchurch Domains Board and Mr J. Young, curator, for their assistance and advice in beautifying the town.

Mining Accident. A miner named Arthur Hornsby was badly injured.by a fall of coal while working in the Mangatina mine. Public Worto. The Minister of Public "Works has approved of a special grant of for' metalling , the Millerton-Stockton road. Theft of Money. Harold White apepared before Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., at a sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Wcstport, charged with the theft of £45 7s 6d in money from a whare at Fairdown. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, to be followed by twelve months' reformative detention.