WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 25 November 1920, Page 4

WESTPORT NOTES

i . (Our Own Correspondent.) Mr. Bowater, who has been absent from Westport for some considerable time, was- in attendance at the Buller Progress League meeting last night. He mentioned that while in Wellington he was in conversation with Mr. Hudson, M.P. for. Motueka, and on expressing disappointment at no money being on the Estimates for the Buller Gorge railway, the latter informed him that he had been in conversation with Mr. Massey on the subject and the Prime Minister stated that money would be provided next session for its completion. Miss Tottie Patterson, student at Canterbury College, returned tc Westport on Tuesday to spend summer va- 1 cation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Patterson. Snqdgrass Brothers lately installed an up-to-date milking machine at their Orowaiti farm. The appliance reduces the work of milking and separating to a minimum. At the eleventh hour yesterday a number of land and income tax offenders paid their taxation fees into Court. The body of the late soldier Foster Archer was interred with full military honours last Friday at the Cronadun cemetery. People from all parts of, the district were in the cortege and a host of floral tributes bore testimony to the esteem in which deceased Avas held. Mr. Isaac Patterson, Reefton, avlio is recognised as one of the West Coast leading lights in mining law, Avas engaged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday (Tuesday) in a lengthy legal argument in connection Avith a prospecting license issued to a party of miners sVt Scddonville. Mr. J. J. Malony was .with Mr. Patterson, and Mr. A. A. \\ ilson opposed. At Tuesday night's Buller Progress League meeting, Mr. H. E. Holland. \ M.P., said the present Minister of Public Works (Mr. Coatcs) Avas one of ' tho most competent men who had ever succeeded to tho office. Messrs Cottrell, Coursey, En right, aniT Miller sent, messages of apolbpy for unavoidable absence from Tuesday night's Progress League mooting-.

At the Buller Progress League 's monthly meeting, held in the Town last, night (Tuesday), Mr. G. H. Gothard, chairman, welcomed Mr. Holland, M.P., back to WestpoTt, and thanked him for flic work he had done in connection with urging the completion 1 of* (he Gorge railway and for the courteous and prompt attention with which he replied to the League's correspondence. He hoped the member's health would continue good to enable him to carry on the work of the districtwhich he represented. Mr. Holland heartily thanked the chairman for his remarks, and said that he had done all that was" possible '.luring the se«s".ou in the interests of the district. The completion of the Buller 'Jorge line Had been authorised, and that was something. He was successful in getting the League into the "Washing- Up Bill. Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and imvard and outward correspondence dealt with. The lion, secretary (Mr. P. Wood) reported communicating with the Traffic Manager re the erection of Jin overhead bridge to the wharf. It was decided to write Mr. CUmie, secretary of the Canterbury League, and ihauk him for the help in connection with the completion, of the Buller Gorge line. Mr. Holland, M.P., advised the League to approach the Government for a grant before next session opened. Session time was :s very busy one with members, all o! whom had their hands full. If the .matter came before Parliament during session time, it. resolved itself into a party one. When the "whip" crack oil, despite Iheir respective promises. Members flocked to vote with theii parties, irrespective of whether the is sue meajt progress or the very reverse. If the Government could be got 10 definitely statts that next Esti matis would contain a substantial grant for the line, it would not belong before the time of the expected completion of works at the Otira tunnel, and when that was finished, the Minister of Public Works had stated that consideration would be centred

on the Buller Gorge line. The suggestions were referred to the Railway Committee to carry into effect. The suggestion that on completion of work at Otira, £ne men engaged, be trans ferrcd to the Gorge line, was also handed over to the railway section of i the committee to deal with. Tnc report on the coal shortage problem, presented , by Mr. Bctts (convenor), was read and received. Satisfaction was expressed and it was decided to have an abridged 'edition of it printed and circulated amongst the local bodies throughout the Dominion. Mr. tJowatdr -remarked that outside ignorance with regard to the Buller distrief's coal resource was very lamentable indeed. He thought the idea of printing and circulating the report would be worth a great deal more than its cost. Mr. J. C. Dale presented a report on clause 2 of Auckland City Council's report of the coal shortage, which dealt with the present discontent prevailing amongst miners; how to prevent future stoppage of works; and suggestions with regard to improvements, housing, transport facilities "and general social conditions in the mining townships. The report was compiled with the assistance, of Mr. Watson, lecturer, on Economics. Mr. Dale further made a suggestion that miners from the Hill be invited to come, down and discuss the position with ..regard to housing and* the general conditions of . the mining townships. He said there was always two sides to a questipjx,' and it was * desirable