WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18343, 28 March 1925, Page 8

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL.

(special to "tk% puss.") GREYMOUTFI. March 27. Mr J. O'Brien, M.P.. left this morning for Christchurch, en route for the Bluff. Mr and Mrs K. Brown, of the State Collieries district, who are leaving on an extended visit to the Old Country, were entertained by their friends at the residence of Mr and Mrs A. Butler. Mrs Brown was presented with a marble closk. Mr Jas. Bishop, consulting engineer to the Brunner Collieries, Ltd... has returned to the Coast. Mr R. P. Sims, acting-chief mechanical engineer. New Zealand Railways, is visiting the West Coast. The "funeral of Mr Jeremiah CDonnell took place this afternoon at Karoro eemetery. The Rev. Father Houlihan celebrated Requiem Ma3S at St. Patrick's Church, and the Rev. Father MeMonaglo conducted the service at the graveside. Mr and Mrs D. McKay and Miss D. McKay will return to-morrow from a holiday visit to the North Island. Minister of Mines. The settlers in South "Wcstland made representations tn the Hon. G. J. Anderson on several matters affecting the district. A deputation of Little Waitaha residents asked that a post office be opened at the residence of Mr J. Manera and telephone connexion provided. Mr Anderson said' that he would bring the matter to the attention of the Postmaster-General. The deputation also urged further consideration by the Government of the reouest of the southern settlers that the Railway Department's rolling stock be made available on Stuart and Chapman's private iine. from Ross to "Waitaha, for the transport of stock and goods. A deputation at Harihari requested the cutting U P into quarter-acre building 1 sections of a 20-acre block in the vieinltv.

The Minister promised to refer the proposal to the Minister of Lands. Other matters with by the same deputation were the expenditure of the grant for Peterson's, payment for river protection, and the leasing of education endowments.

At Okarito there was a'large gathering of residents to welcome the party. A plan of the proposed harbour improvements was tabled by a deputation and the cost of the -works discussed. The settlers stated that for a great deal less than the estimated cost of £60.000 a straight course could be formed allowing ships drawing 16 feet •to enter. Mr Anderson said that if the work could be done for less than £IO,OOO, as was contended, and the Public Works engineers were satisfied as to the practicability of the scheme, he would ask Cabinet to grant that amount. The settlers would be obliged to ajrrco to a rating area, but if wharfages brought in a revenue greater than interest and sinking fund on the grant, no rate would be required. Ladies' Hockey. The annual meeting of the West Coast Ladies' Hockey Association was held last evening at Greymouth, Mr S. Baddcly, of Bunanga, presiding over delegates from Bunanga, Mawhera, Cobden, Hokitika, Kcefton, Blakctown, and Cronadnn. The following were the officers elected for the onsuing year:—Patron, Mr W. H-.Parfltt; president, Miss Dunn; vicepresidents, Messrs I. A. James, 0. Osborne, W. Bran, M. Houston, A. Soolmcr, and W. Williams: secretarytreasurer, Miss J. Frederic.

It was resolved to close nominations for the various competitions on April 6th, and to open the season with a six-a-sidc tournament on April 11th. At the annual meeting of the State Collieries Club, the following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr ¥. Hawkon; president, Mr W. S. Clark; joint secretaries, Misses Clark and Cook; General Committee, Messrs E. O'Neill, L. Cole. K. Bell, Mrs O'Neill; captain, Miss E. O'Neill; vice-captain, Miss X. Newton; delegates to (Association, Misses K. Garvey, K. Bell, and E. O'Neill. Railway Changes. With tho exception of Mr V. 11. Morcy, district engineer, who leaves on Tuesday, the other members of the district manager's and engineers' staff will leave Greymouth on April 4th. Mr F. W. Baillie, one o£ the officers who received notice of transfer to Christchurch, has decided to resign from the service. Mining Matters. A ceremony was held to-day at Blackwater South, in connexion with the turning of the first sod at the new shaft.

WESTPORT ITEMS.

(inciu TO "IKB PM«.") WESTPORT, March 27. At a meeting of the Westport Ladies' Golf Club, Mrs J. Bird was elected captain and Miss Muriel Harkness secretary. The Ladies' Committee is as follows:—Mesdames Slee, A. Thomson, and Miss E. Findlay. Mr James Fletcher, late mine manager at Stockton, accompanied by Mrs Fletcher and daughter, arc leaving tomorrow overland for Christchurch, where they intend for the future to reside. Prior to leaving, the friends of Miss Ella Fletcher entertained her at a farewell evening at the manse, and presented her with a beautiful bouquet of ehojee flowers. The Westport Ladies' Hockey Club is giving its captain, Miss Mabel Nottle, who is leaving shortly on a trip to England, a farewell dance and presentation to-night. Turbines and other machinery for the Mt. Bochfort municipal hydro-elec-trical works arrived in Westport last week. The municipal authorities hope to have the business portion of the town lighted before the end of July, it being their intention to erect thirty street lamps along the centre of the main thoroughfares. ' Mr R. Duggan, of the Courthouse staff, is under orders to transfer to Hokitika/and Mr J. Lindop, of Hokitika, has been transferred to Westport. The Westport Golf Club opens its season on Orapaiti golf links to-morrow. As a result of a deputation to the ehief postmaster from the Buller Progress League, the hours of attendance at the Westport telephone exchange have been iuereascd from 16 to 18 hours per day.