WEST COAST NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22436, 24 June 1938, Page 8

WEST COAST NEWS

OPERATION OP AWARDS

EFFECT ON FINANCES MEETING OP GREY POWER BOARD The working expenses of the Grey Electric Power Board will be increased this year because of the operation of new awards which call for an increase in the wages rate. This statement was part of the report of the secretary (Mr J. B. Denford) to the monthly meeting of the board at Greymouth on Wednesday night. Mr J. Smeaton presided. Reporting on the estimates for the year, Mr Denford said that the schedule showed an estimated surplus of £5244, Loan money of £12,000 for eight months had been included. Depreciation of £IOOO had been allowed, and a calculating figure of sinking fund £6340 added. It should be borne in mind that that was one of the figures vitally affected by the sale of the headworks to the Government. Adjustments on the dam and other assets had not been concluded, so that an assumption had had to be made of a nucleus fund as £55,000. The cost of bulk power supply was one of two salient points to be watched. _ After careful consideration, it was estimated that the proposed sale of current for power and other purposes was estimated to cost the board £27,595. The matter of incomes from power consumption had been carefully considered. Although the figure showed a rise from £22,500 to £30,325, this was because of the increased activity that would probably be forthcoming in the year. The estimates for the year ending March'3l, 1939, were:—lncome (sales of current): Street lighting, £1550; domestic lighting, heating, and cooking, £20,475; commercial lighting and heating, £9226; power, £30,325; discounts lost, £400; connexion fees, £2; interest on advances, £27; total income, £62,005. Expenditure: Cost of bulk power supply, £27,595; working expenses, distribution, maintenance, and general, £7193; capital expenses, interest on debentures and overdraft, £9133; sinking funds, £6340; depreciation, £1000; total expenditure, £57,061; surplus on working account, £4944; surplus on trading account, £300; extirpated total surplus for the year, £5244. Capital works account—lncome: Balance on hand at April 1, 1938, £4055: new loan to be raised. £12,000; total. £16,055; expenditure, wages and materials on new works, £10,500; balance at end of year, £5555. The estimates were adopted.

In reply to Mr A. H. McKane, the engineer said that although the board had put up the price of commercial heating to 3d last year, he did not think it practicable now to lower the price, as it was costing the board too much to buy the power on top of the peak load. On the suggestion of Mr J. B, Kent, it was decided to ask the teacher of the Ahaura School to warn the children of the danger of going near the “booster” plant, and to put up a warning notice.

COAL INDUSTRY PROSPERING

INCREASED OUTPUT AT WESTPORT MEETING OF SCHOOL OP MINES "The coal industry is in a better state than for many years,” said MT J. C. Brown, when returning thanks for his election as president of the Westpoi# School of Mines at the annual meeting on Wednesday evening. H said that three vessels with special boilers allowing them to steam for 24 hours on very little coal, bunkered at Westport recently, and many others could be expected to follow in their wake. One of the engineers, said Mr Brown, had said that coal was more economical to use than oil, with the new boilers Representatives of one overseas company had promised to send six of its vessels to bunker regularly at Westport, if the harbour was slightly improved. . The output from the Buller district mines was 333,000 tons, an increase of 36,139 tons on the previous year, Mr Brown reported. Since the colonisation of New Zetland, about 86,000,000 tons of coal had been produced. The Buller district contributed 25,000,000 tons, Greymouth 17,000,000 tons, and Waikato mines 11,000,000 tons. The Buller district also produced 2000 ounces of gold last year, 278 men being engaged in prospecting and mining gold. The men employed by coal companies numbered 734. Mr Brown gave the school credit for training most of the executive officers in charge of various mining operations in the district. Mention was made of the improved amenities in the mining townships provided by the Government through the Minister for Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb), and appreciation of his efforts and those of the Hon. W H. Mclntyre (M.L.C.), Messrs C. F. Schadick, and J. Hadcroft (Inspector of Mines) was expressed. Mr H. Lovell was appointed vicepresident, Mr P. A. Struthers auditor. The president, vice-president, secretary (Mr T. Brown), and Messrs J. Dowgray, F. Wood, and J. H. Enright were appointed an executive cpmmittee.

The committee was authorised to arrange for placing in the school a memorial to the late Mr J. Bradley, president for 41 years. The balance-sheet showed an- overdraft of £lO4. but the secretary said that £IBO was due from the Mines Department.

REVIVAL OF BOXING

ATTEMPT TO ARRANGE BOUT AT WESTPORT An endeavour will be made to revive the bcxing association at Westport, and a meeting of those interested will be called in the near future. It is hoped to arrange a match for Harry Dunn, a former Westport boy, who is prominent at present.

BOWLING CLUB AT KEEFTON

SUCCESSFUL YEAR REPORTED The annual meeting of the Reefton Bowling Club was held recently. Mr V. Mori presided. The annual report showed that the club had had a successful year. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £2O 11s od, with assets of £l9. Officers elected were:—President, Mr R, McMillan; vice-presidents, Messrs C. Buist, C. J. Willis; general and ground committee, Messrs Wyatt, Noble, Deltteca, Cleaver, C. Blackmore, Buist, Hinton, Robinson; selector, Mr V. Mori; auditor, Mr C, Willis; secretary, Mr Nevin. It was suggested that when possible the club erect an addition to the pavilion to give members provision for social activities.

DRIVER SENT TO PRISON

INTOXICATED IN CHARGE OF CAR At the Magistrate’s Court at Reefton, before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., Francis J. Ruane, a miner, of Reefton, was charged that on June 20 at Reefton he was, while in a state of intoxication. in charge of a car in Broadway, Defendant pleaded guilty. Sergeant Ebbet said that accused had on the day previously been intoxicated. He was warned by the traffic inspector not to drive the car. On the day that the prosecution was laid he was intoxicated when seen entering his car. He was taken in charge, and at the police station admitted that he did not know how many drinks he had had during the afternoon. The Magistrate, in sentencing Ruane to 14 days’ imprisonment with hard labour, said that the day for the imposition of fines in special cases was past. Accused had been warned more than once and he should have taken heed. He ordered that accused’s driving licence be suspended and that he be prohibited from holding a driver s licence until after June 1. 1940. WARDEN’S COURT AT REEFTON The following applications were heard at a sitting of the Wardens Court at Reefton before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.: — , Goldwater Mines, Ltd., for two ordinary prospecting licences. —Both River Dredging Company, Ltd., for an ordinary prospecting licence.—Granted. An application for a special-site licence by J. J. Morris was refused and for a special quartz claim was adjourned. DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT HOKITIKA Mr N. T. Lambourne, Director of Education, visited the Hokitika District High School, where he was met by Mr R. Wild, member of the Canterbury Education Board. Messrs Armstrong, Richards, and Lawrence, of the Hokitika School Committee, and the headmaster (Mr J. G. Johnston). , Mr Lambourne inspected the school and discussed with those present the unsatisfactory and makeshift conditions at present found in the classrooms to relieve the congestion. The necessity for additional accommodation was brought before the director, who promised to look into the matter on his return to Wellington,

PERSONAL NOTES

greymouth Mr D. McLennan (Christchurch) is visiting Greymouth. ' , Mr J. W. Hannan left yesterday by the Christchurch express. Mrs A. T. Cormackleft yesterday for Wellington, accompanied by her sister, Mrs T. Gooch, on her return to Toko, T Mr nt C l ’ McKenzie left yesterday on his return to Christchurch. . Mrs L. Abbie and Mrs A. Christiansen left yesterday on a holiday visit to Dunedin and Wellington. Mrs D. Abbie returned yesterday to Cl Miss C^ and Mr E. Chandler left yesterday on their return to ° MrL ht returned to Christchurch yesterday.

HOKITIKA Mr T. Richards (Nelson) is visiting his parents, Mr and Mrs W, E. Richards, Rolleston street. ■ Miss E. E. Smith, of the Mental Hospital staff, has returned home, after visiting Christchurch and Ashburton. , _ . ~ Mr T, Wildey, of the staff of the Lands and Survey Department at Hokitika, has been transferred to the Christchurch district, where he will join the field staff. , „ . , Mr A. E. Turley, of the Lands ana Survey Department, Hokitika, is under orders of transfer to the Te Kum branch.

WESTPORT Mr A. J. Metson, M.Sc. (Westport), has been appointed to a position on the research staff of the Cawthron Institute (Nelson) and will start duty ° n Mr U and l ’Mrs W. Wright, parents of Lady Metcalfe, who, with her husband. Sir Theophilus Metcalfe, of Wmkworth. Surrey, is visiting the Dominion, formerly resided at Westport. Mr Wright was a son of the late Mr Charles Wright (founder of the “Buller News, now the “Westport News”). Mrs Wright’s father was the late Mr J. L. Munson (founder of the now defunct “Buller Miner.” Mr W. Dunn (Wellington) has arrived to attend the funeral of his brother, Mr Robert Dunn. Miss Norah O’Driscoll (Nelson) is visiting her parents at Westport. Mr T. Sloan has left on return to Taihape, after spending a holiday at Westport. Miss Jean Robertson (Westport) has returned from a holiday at Waimate and Camara. Mr R. Gilbert (Nelson) is spending a holiday with his parents, Mr and Mrs R. H. Gilbert (Westport). Dr. Paget (Director of Maternity Hospitals) visited Granity and Karamea yesterday and inspected proposed buildings for conversion into maternity hospitals.

FAREWELL EVENING AT BERLINS

A farewell evening was given Miss Mirth Baigent in Heaphy’s Hall at Berlins. Buller Gorge. Miss Baigent, who is leaving the district to make her home ih Christchurch, was a popular member of the Berlins Social Club. The treasurer, Mr L. Heaphy, spoke of the work of Miss Baigent as a member of the club. Mr George Phillips, secretary, made a presentation of a travelling case, and Miss Baigent was made a life member of the club.

SHIPPING PORT OF GREYMOUTH [THE PRESS Special Service .J / GREYMOUTH, June 23. The Waimea early this morning sailed with timber for Port Waikato. Later she will sail for Onehunga. and will return to Greymouth next Wednesday to load timber for Port Waikato. The Poolta berthed this morning, after a 24 hours’ delay in the roadstead, with cars from Wellington. She will load for return. The Rata arrived this morning from Westport, and will sail to-night for Nelson and Wanganui. She will return on Tuesday to load coal and poles for New Plymouth. „ , . The Gael sailed this afternoon for Hokitika to load timber for Wellington. She will return from Wellington to load here for Bruce Bay and Okuru. The Kauri is expected to sail to-night with timber for Melbourne. The Kartigi is expected to sail to-night for Miramar and Wellington. The Hokitika is due to-night from Wellington, via Tarakohe, with cargo. She will proceed to Hokitika to-morrow. The Totara, delayed at Wellington by rain, is expected to leave there to-night with cargo for Greymouth. She will load here on Saturday for return. The Gabriella is due on Saturday from Gisborne to load for Auckland. The Kallngo is due on Saturday from Wanganui, to load timber for Sydney and Newcastle. The Tltoki is due on Monday from Picton to load coal for Tarakohe. The Karu, delayed at Wellington by rain, is now due on Tuesday from New Plymouth to load timber for Petone, Miramar, and Wellington.

PORT OF WESTPORT [THE PRESS Special Service.] WESTPORT, June 23. The Rata has left for Greymouth to complete loading for Wanganui. The Titokl left last night for New Plymouth and Picton. The Wingatui, bar-bound, and loaded for Wellington, has moderate prospects of dispatch this evening. The Kakapo, bar-bound, and loaded for Wellington and New Plymouth, has moderate prospects of dispatch this evening. The Kaimai will load general cargo at Lyttelton to-morrow for Westport, loading here on Monday for Lyttelton and Timaru. The Kalmiro is due on June 27 for bunkers, and will proceed to Geelong. The Kiwitea is due here on June 28 from Port Chalmers, and will load for Auckland. Portland, and Kloreroa. High tide at Westport to-morrow, 6.38 a.m. and 7.15 p.m., New Zealand standard time.