WEST COAST NEWS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21978, 30 December 1936, Page 3

WEST COAST NEWS

HYDRO-ELECTRIC PLANT INSPECTION BY POWER BOARD STAFF NO STRUCTURAL FAULTS FOUND The Grey Electric Power Board staff made the annual inspection of the Arnold river hydro-electric plant on Sunday, the supply being cut off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The engineer (Mr Sinclair Trotter) said yesterday that the plant was found to be running smoothly and standing up to its work well. The tunnel was dewatered and no structural faults were found. Otira Tunnel Freight Last week freight hauled through the Otira tunnel from west to east amounted to 7353 tons, as compared with 3492 tons in the corresponding •week of last year, and 1857 tons in 1934. The large increase is attributed to the fact that the holiday period this year began late in the week. Valedictory Mr J. Phillips, of the staff of John Burns and Company, Ltd., Greymouth, who will leave next week on transfer to Timaru, was met by the staff and presented with a travelling rug. Mr K. E. Balchin, manager, who made the presentation, referred to Mr Pijillips's tact and capabilities, and wished him success and happiness in the future. Greymouth Personal Notes Mr and Mrs G. H. Brittenden, Invercargill, are the guests of Mrs Brittenden's parents, Mr and Mrs M. J. Phillips, Buccleugh street. Mr and Mrs D. F. Pennington have left for Wellington, where they will live Mr C. McKechnie left yesterday on return to Christchurch.. Mr P. Ryan will leave to-day on return to Wellington. Mr H. E. Herring, M.P., left on return to Ashburton. Mr C. R. Petrie, M.P., is a visitor to Greymouth. MINISTER'S VISIT TO BULLER DISTRICT RAILWAY LINE To' BE INSPECTED Word has been received in Westport that the Minister for Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) proposes to visit the Buller district and carry out an inspection of the Buller Gorge railway in the course of a tour of the South Island in January. The itinerary in the Buller district is as follows:—Monday, January 18. arrive at Westport from Nelson by car; Tuesday, January 19, inspect Buller Gorge railway construction including Te Kua line; Wednesday, January 20. proceed from Westport to Reef ton. The Minister reauests that any person or body desiring to make representations to him on matters affecting the Railway Department, the Department of Industries and Commerce or the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research should forward particulars to the head of the department concerned not later than January 9.

OBITUARY MISS KATHERINE M'KINNON The death occurred at the Westland Hospital of Miss Katherine McKinnon, of Sale street, Hokitika. Miss McKinnon was a very old resident of the town, and was born in Glasgow 81 years ago. Mr Gordon McKay, of Greymouth, is a nephew. WESTPORT PLUNKET BALL Once again the members of the Westport branch of the Plunket Society showed their ability to make the annual Plunket ball one of the most enjoyable dancing evenings of the year. Although the attendance was affected by the postponement of the trots on Monday the floor was crowdedj with dancers and those present spent tf most enjoyable time. The stage was decorated with a trellis of rambler froses, the centre being occupied by a giant stork. The highest praise is due to the following committee who, together with a number of willing assistants, made arrangements for the ball:—-Miss Harkness (president) and Mesdames Neill (secretary), J. Kilkenny, R. Holgate, F. Hanson, George, R. Hagedorne, L. Morgan, T. A, Brtus, W. Bennie, and J H. Enright. Extras were played by Mr C. Hanson. The ball was a financial success and the funds of the Westport branch will benefit substantially from it-

RIVER PROTECTION WORKS SCHEME FOR KOITERANGI MAJORITY OF RATEPAYERS APPROVE PROPOSAL The. Westland County Council has completed the canvass of the Koiterangi settlers concerning the rating prop.osals to secure a loan for the Hokitika river protection works above Camelback. The number of ratepayers- involved is 74. Of these, 64 have signed the necessary document. There were four refusals and six absentees. The rateable value of the property of those who signed is £128,812, and of those who did not sign is £12,339. The result will enable the council to proceed with the undertaking, half the cost of which, namely £750, will be provided by the Public Works Department.

WHIPPET RACING HOKITIKA CLUB HOLDS MEETING There was a large attendance at the Hokitika racecourse on Sunday afternoon, when the Hokitika Whippet Club held a very successful gathering. The results were as follows:

Maiden Flat. 200 yards—First heat: Gold Pat (H. Staines) 1, St. Paul (E. Taylor) 2. Time. 12 l-ssec. Second heat: Spearmint (J. Dixon) 1, Dark Shadow (J. Coyle) 2. Time. 12 2-ssec. Third heat: Sunee Royal (Mrs H. Barnes) 1, Wide Awake (J. Hansburv) 2. Time. 12sec. Final: Sunee Royal 1. Dark Shadow 2. Time. 12sec. Novice Flat Handicap—First heat: Wild Storm (G. Dalziel) 1. Dan Kelly <L. Solomon) 2. Time, 12 l-ssec. Second heat: Jusfrute (P. Kortegast) 1. Wide Awake (J. Hansbury) 2. Time, 12sec. Third heat: Mark Twain (J. Dixon) 1. Dark Shadow (J. Coyle) 2. Time, 12 2-ssec. Fourth heat: Gold Pat (H. Staines) 1, Silver Flyer (W. Duncan) 2. Time, 12 l-ssec. First semi-final: Jusfrute 1. Wide Awake 2 Time, 12sec. Second semi-final: Mark Twain 1. Silver Flyer 2. Time. 12 l-ssec. Final: Mark Twain 1, Jusfrute 2. Time. 12 3"ssgc Hokitika Handicap—First heat: Synagogue (G. Seaton) 1. Taka Chance (G. Davis) 2. Time, 12sec. Second heat: Red Step (W. Rea) 1, Jubilee Queen (W. Jenkins) 2. Time. 11 4-ssec. Third heat: Royal Shot (J. Middleton) 1. Black Dawn (W. Hall) 2. Time. 11 3-ssec. Final: Red Step 1, Royal Shot' 2. Time. 11 2-ssec. Light-weight Handicap—Rongo Belle (Mrs V. Ashworth and J. Middleton) 1, Bonnie Belle (T. Dunn) 2. Time, 11 3-ssec. Second heat: Taka Chance (G. Davies) 1, Jusfrute (P. Kortegast) 2. Time, 12 2-ssec. Final: Taka Chance 1, Bonnie Belle 2. Time, 11 4-ssec. Middle-weight Handicap—First heat: Lady Valorie (J. Seaton) 1, Dusky Chum (H Pinn) 2. Time. 12sec. Second heat: Royal Shot (J. Middleton) 1. Taka Chance (G: Davies) 2. Time. 11 4-ssec. Third heat: Keith Lu (G. Pinn) 1; Ned Kelly (L. Solomon) 2. Time. 12sec. Final: Ned Kelly 1. Lady Valorie 2. Time, 12sec. Maiden Hurdles—First heat: Jack-a-Dandy (G Kendrick) 1, Ned Kelly (L. Solomon) 2. Time. 14 4-ssec. Second heat: Sunee Royal (Mrs H. Barnes) 1, Kemshin (B. Winchester) 2. Time, 14 4-ssec. Final: Sunee Royal 1, Ned Kelly 2. Time. 12 4-ssec. Open Hurdles—First heat: Rea Step (W. Rea) 1, Black Dawn (W. Hall) 2. Time, 13 2-ssec. Second heat: Devonvale Roddy (J. Hansbury) 1. Caliente (Mrs O'Neil) 2. Time, 13 2-ssec. Final: Caliente 1, Rea Step 2. Time. 12 2-ssec.