WESTPORT NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1923, Page 3

WESTPORT NOTES

(Own Correspondent.)

WESTPORT, November 5.

The work of dismantling the cranes, which have been purchased by the Opunake Harbour Board from the Westpbrt marine control, is proceeding under the supervision of Mr A. Skilton. When taken to pieces, the cranes, together with some dozen trucks, also acquired by the Opunake Board, wilbbe shipped to New Plymouth. The men attending to the work at this end have the option of going to Opunake, to assist in the work of reconstruction, with a further view to receiving permanent employment from the Board, when the plant is satisfactorily placed in position. The erection of the Colvin Memorial is now completed, and arrangements are well in hand for the unveiling ceremony on Sunday afternoon next. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, will unveil the statue, and will be asissted during the ceremonial by Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., the. Mayor (Mr J. Menzies), and Mr G. 11. Gothard, who always held the position of chairman of committees in connection with the late member’s election campaign. The children’s ward at the local hospital is practically completed, and the contractors are now removing unused material and building requisites from the premises. A strong ladies’ committee is working for the purpose of raising funds to assist in furnishing the new edifice. It is anticipated that various local organisations will assist the movement by donating cots for the children.

The past few days have proved a real harvest for the whitebaiting section of the community, and some very fine catches are recorded. Notwithstanding that the little finny creatures are so plentiful, the retail price tsill stands at Is per pint

Mention of fishing recalls some splendid fronting expeditions that are being held in this locality just now, and if all one hears is true, there are some monsters frolicking in the waters of the Buller and its tributaries. A fishing party from down the Coast is making arrangements for an excursion to this district in search of the salmon, reaching Westport by means of the Coast or ad.

Mi- F. S. Wood, one of the founders of the Buller Progress League, has been elected to the position of president of the newly-fonned branch of the league at Karamea. Mr Wood, accompanied by Mr Holland, M.P., leaves for Greymouth on Friday morning to meet the Hon. J. G. Coates. The executive of the various miners’ unions in the Buller district express themselves as well satisfied with the response being received to the appeal for assistance from all quarters. Quietness reigns supreme in the township, livened at times by musical programmes from the bands and an occasional afternoon’s recreation in the form of sports, where young and old are asked to congregate and forget {heir troubles and drive dull care away.

The coni factors are getting on smartly with the work of forming the playing area of the Technical High School and expect to have everything in order before Christmas. If the men who undertook the work can make good wages, and they maintain they can, at their price, it. would be interesting what the others, who were about, two and a-lialf times higher, wauled In knock out of the little business.