WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18347, 2 April 1925, Page 13

WEST COAST NOTES

—* TIMBER INDUSTRY. (special to "tue priss.") G UEYMOUTII, April 1. It is usual for tho timber trade to become quiet with the approach of winter, but this year a serious slump is affecting the industry, and a number of men have already been throw)', out of employment. Should there gpt be an appreciable improvement within a few weeks, several sawmills engaged in cutting' red pine and birch will be obliged to restrict their operations or possibly close down altogether. Monthly Statistics. The sum of £9052 7s 9d was collected in Customs duties at the Port of Greymouth during the first quarter of this year, as against £9186 39s 6(1 in - the same period of 3921. The beer duty collected was £487 ?>s 4d in 1925, as compared with £266 13s 3d in 1924. For the mouth of March the figures were:1925. 1924. £ s. <L £ s. (1. Customs .. 3234 19 6 293S 16 1 Beer .. 309 19 0 SS 9 S During the month 29 vessels, of an agjjregate tonnage of 34,607, entered the port, and 30. totalling 1->.575 tons, crossed the bar on their outwar.l journey. Building permits, representing structures to the value of £936, were issued last month by the Greymouth Borough Council, the figure for the corresponding month of last year being £486. A dwelling to cost £7OO was tlie largest single item. Progress of Brunner. lac old coke-ovens at Brunner. which have provided a somewhat melanchoh reminder of the township's palmy dajs, are to be opened up again by Allen's co-opeTative mining party, which is engaged in the neighbourhood. They will be given a trial, and possibly active working operations will be resumed shortly. A grant, of £BOO from the Public Works Department, is to be expended on the Stillwater bridge, an:l the tnn]jor for repairs to Mill Creek bridge, for which an expenditure of £2OO has been authorised, has been taken on tn the iob. About 20 men are engaged pu repairs to the Brunner traffic bridge,

for which the sum of £3OOO has beer, authorised by tho Minister. The excavations for new anchorages for the suspension ropes have been completed, and the concrete filling will be commenced at an early date. Workmen are employed at eleariug operations in preparation for the liew siding and bins for tho Grey Valley Collieries, Ltd., which owned the Dobson mine. The new approach to Wallsend station grill be commenced within a short period. The Greymouth Mar-' hour Board does not appear to regard as an urgent matter the- auctioning of (he leases of its sections at Pobson, and it is believed that more definite signs of progress are being awaited. Employment. Painters are very busy just now, and a number- of business places arc receiving attention. The outlook is bright for several months ahead, as scver.il big jobs arc to bo commenced. Municipal Elections. "When asked to-dav 'whether he had definitely decided to contest the Mayoral'ty of Greymouth, the Deputy Mayor, Mr J. W. Greenslade, said that, his" mind was not vet made up. Me would probably either oppose Mr Parfitt or retire from the Borough Council altogether. Mr A. If. Greenwood is mentioned as a. probable candidate for the Council in the Labour interests. Mr AV. 8. Clark .appeal's likely to have :i walk-over for the Mjajloraltv of Kunanga. There is nothing to warrant a belief that the municipal elections at Uolcitika will be invested with any interest. Personal. Mr W. Xalir, who is leaving Westport for Ciiristehurch, was tendered a farewell by members of the White Star Football Club at :i social held in his honour. On behalf of those present Mr K. Ilansby presented the guest with a suit-case and a well-filled wallet. WESTPQRT ITEMS. (special to "the phebs.") WE3TPOKT, April I. Zvlr AV. Xuhr, on the eve of his departure on promotion to the Westport Coal Company's branch at Ciiristehurch, was entertained at a farewell social and made the recipient of a suitcase and a wallet of notes. At 'he next. Bailer Progress League meeting the matter of tile establish-

lMiit of a tourist bureau at Westport will be discussed. The Westport Coal Company has accepted the tender of a local contractor for the erection of a number of cottages at Der.niston. The buildings will provide accommodation for miner#. A brand] of the Westport Plunket Society has been formed at Karamea, with Mr Gibcns president and Mrs Horrnek secretary. A soldiers' memorial gate is shortly to be erected at Karamea. AVhen the structure is completed bv the Westport .Foundry, arrangements will be made for its erection mid a suitable opening function. Organised exception has been taken by the parties interested in the development o£ the coal industry here at certain drastic mining regulations /oceiitly imposed by iho Mines Department. Representations are to be made to the Minister with a view to their modification. The vital statistics for March are: Births, 10; deaths, 3; marriages, 1.