WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19326, 2 June 1928, Page 20

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL. (SPECIAL TO . THE fEESS>. ) GREYMOUTH, June 1. Mr Allan Johnston, of the railway tralLc staff, Runauga, is spending his annual holidays in Dunedin. In view of their departure for Ross, Constable and Mrs J. Crowley were tendered a surprise party at their residence, A.exander street, by ,a number of friends. During the evening, Mrs crowley was presumed witli a uouiton Ijowi and outer useiul gitis. in making tile presentation, on uelialf of tue ladies present, tne Kev. ratiier Lony reierred to the numerous good qualities of Mr and Airs Crowley, and wished them success at Ross, where Constable Crowiey has been transferred on promotion Airs A. S. Adams and Miss Margaret Adams (Fendalton) will accompany Mr Justice Adams to the \\est Coast early this month and will visit the, franz Josef Glacier. , Mr and Mrs ft. Preston will leave to-morrow for Christchurch to be present at the wedding of their daughter, Kate, to Mr R. Pugh, of Invereargill, which will take place iu the CatholicCathedral on* Monday. The Right. Rev. Dr. Kennedy will officiate. Miss A. Preston, who will be bridesmaid to her sister, and Miss Norali Barrett will aceomparty Mr and Mrs Preston. Fifty-four years of service with the Hokitika Fire Brigade is the very fino record of Foreman John Wallace, who terminated his connexion as an active member last evening, when he was elected a life honorary member. Superintendent W. Braddon, another very old member with 48} years of service, is retiring from the position. News was received at Westport of the death of Mr Wm. Killen, a former resident of that town. Deceased was apparently in good- health on Tuesday, and his death was unexpected. The late Mr Killen worked for several years at the Denniston Mine, and at the outbreak of the war joined the Tunnelling Corps and saw four years' active sei-vice. He joined the Public Works Department on his return and was with it at the time of his death. Mesdames A. Craddock (Westport), Hill (Palmerston North), and Kiely (Totaranui) are sisters of deceased.

• Elmer Lane Depot. Although some time will lapse before the completion of the .Elmer Lane roundhouse, the building is now ready for the accommodation of locomotives, which will be transferred from the present locomotive shed in Upper Mawhera quay to the new depot on Monday, when the opening ceremony will be performed by Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., at the request of Mr Coates, Minister for Railways. • Claim for Damages. A writ has been issued on behalf of Mr and Mrs Egan against the Westport Borough Council, claiming £IOOO damages in connexion with the death by electrocution of Peter Egan, on February 15th last. " The case is set down for hearing at the next sitting of the Supreme Court to be held at Westport on June 30th. Ruatapu-Mahinapua Road. A start is to be made with the clearing and forming of the RuatapuMahinapua road. Twelve men will be employed on the work next week, and as there are only 68' chains to do to make the connexion through to the Lake Mamnapua road; the Undertaking should be put through promptly. Grey Bar, In conversation with a reporter, Mr JV.Steer, chairman 6f the Grey Harbour Board, said Mr R. T. Stewart, of the Stewart Hydro-Pneumatic Excavation Co., was expected to arrive to-morrow from Dunedin. Mr Steer said it was Mr Stewart's intention to bring over the remainder of the machinery required in,connexion with the scheme which comprised the contrivance foi; sweeping the accumulations of silt* off the bar, and the electrical hydro-elevator or "blow-up," to be used in conjunction with the lagoon scheme for improving the harbour. The temporary plant, i which had been installed in the tug. Westland for clearing the bar was now almost ready for operation} and if con> ditions were favourable a demonstration probably will be given next week. With, regard to/ the plant requiwfl for the lagoon scheme, said Mr Steier, it will be necessary to have a pontoon specially erected for it 9 accommodation. The lagoon plant would be driven by electricity, and the excavation operations • could bp carried out without' the necessity of interfering with the bridges crossing the lagoon between Grey and Blaketown. Tlie Harbour BoarfL was holding' over the tenders for ah: electric suction dredge until the (Stewart scheme had been given a proper .-toy-out. The Board, he said, would haVtf to be perfectly satisfied that the proposed scheme was a success before;it made any decision regarding the purchase of the plant. Hokitika Tire Brigade. At the annual meeting of the Hokitika "Volunteer Fire Brigade,' the following officers were elected-.-Hiuperinten-dent, Mr J. Mcintosh; foreman, Mr L. Ross; secretary, Mr J. G, "Lakin. Farmers' Exclusion. Quite a number of farmers from Ross and South Westland havp aignified their intention of participating in the farm- ! ers' excursion to Dunedin. It is expected that the train, which will leave ' on Monday morning, ,wlll carry about 300 excursionists. I Boxinj., The Gteymouth Boxing Association met this evening, when' Mr A. Beban presided over a good attendance of members. Arrangement?! were completed for the amateur tournament to be held in the Town Hall on June 9th. The following officials were Appointed: —Referees, -Messrs A. Beban And F. O'Neill; time stewards, Messrs J. ,D. Wingham and H. Moore; gong /steward, Mr E. R. Moss: stewards. Messrs E. Kiely and C. Chamley; ring, Messrs G.'Jones and N. White; call and glove, Messrs F. Cost-ello, E. Ashton, and N. Jones: official second?., Messrs D. Mclvor, P. Gillon, and J. Devescovi.