WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1928, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, February 9. What may turn out to be a revival of gold mining close at hand is reported to be more than likely to eventuate very shortly. The locality mentioned is the upper reaches of the Caledonian Creek and Gully at the south side of the West port water works dams. It is understood that a Wellington syndicate will commence sluicing operations in the near future. Fifty years ago the gullies in that locality were being worked by hundreds of miners, but it is considered they took the most easily got gold and passed on. About twenty years ago Caledonian Creek was being worked by Johnny Monagatti, where a slip of earth came away and killed young Jack Monagatti. From then the claim was abandoned. There is a belief that there is good gold round about this direction, and this new company may be the forerunner of many more gold mines in the terraces.

So that there may be a good finish ,to the Shop Assistants’ picnic day, Harry Morgan has decided to put on the famous picture, “Wings of the Storm,” at the Victoria Theatre. He i;; keeping the prices down, and this special picture will be shown at ordinary prices, while children will be admitted at half price downstairs. The Federation of Shopkeepers arc advertising the closing of all shops on Monday next —Shop Assistants’ picnic day. Fire Superintendent Hugo has been in Westport inspecting the Westport Fir e Brigadesmen, Station, water sup* ply, etc. Last eveneing he gave his usual talk upon fire prevention measures to the Brigade.

Mr Kivell, waterside worker, had the misfortune to strain some of the sinews of his leg last night. Ho slipped when getting down the hold of a steamer. The Municipal Bund are holding ,their annual meeting on Friday night. Probably the most important question will be who the next conductor is to be. The Band suffers a severe loss through the transfer of Mr Lloyd.

At the hospital the death occurred of .\Vra Alary Marshall. 'She was only

19 years of age. She was a stepdaughter of Air Dick Pascoe. The death occurred to-day of Air Walter Henry at the residence of his brother. Domett Street. He was a widower, and was 73 years of age. He was a native of the Shetland Islands and had spent the past 34 years in Now Zealand . Aliss Silcock, who lias been visiting her sister, Airs Tregurtha, Romilly Street, lias returned to Christchurch. Air and Mrs A. E. Carter, who have boon on an extended tour of the North ami South Islands, have returned to Westport. Detective March left for Reef ton yesterday after visiting here. Air Davies is visiting Christchurch. Air S. 11. Perry, of the railway staff left for Christchurch yesterday. Air and Airs W. Hobbs and daughter have returned to Westport from Christchurch. Aliss AlcGrath has arrived back in Westport from Christchurch. Airs and Aliss Erridge have returned from a trip to Christchurch. Air Roper, of Millerton, has returned from Christchurch. z Misses T. Pain, Al: Burns, Watt and Nurse Alurrav left for the Glaciers this

The Clay Pit mine, which an explosion demolished on Thursday, was owned by a. col-operative party consisting of Alessrs T. Worthington, P. Pratt, J. Ale Hing, W. Shaw, V. Dore, L. Morganty and Taylor (Seddonville), and J. Booth (Wellington). Mr George Gilbert was manager of the mine. Two weeks ago the Magistrate’s Court at Westport had to deal with several lengthy cases in which the manager of the mine proceeded against some of tlu* party for breaches of sections 143 and 144 of the Coal Alines Act concerning Hie safety of the mine. The action ■was taken in respect of work to be carried out at No. 4 stopping which required attention. Yesterday the Inspector of Alines proceeded to the mine to make an inspection. The damage runs into thousands.

At a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court before Air W. Meldrum, S.M., Louis Franklin Tain, for disobedience -of a maintenance order was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment in Greymouth prison, the warrant of commitment to be suspended providing £4/10/- arrears are paid before February 11th. A local resident, for procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, was convicted and fined 10/- and 10/cost s.

At the Warden’s Court, before Mr XV. Meldrum, S.AI., the following applications were dealt with:— The Cascade Coal Co., prospecting license, Block 10, Kawatiri S.D. —Leave given to withdraw. Denniston Coal Miners’ Industrial Union of Workers, residence site, Denniston.—Granted. William Thomas Beynon, residence site, Waimangaroa. — Granted. Aland Peinberth, application for duplicate of residence site license. —Granted. BOROUGH AFFAIRS. At the ordinary meeting of the Borough Council on Wednesday there present Crs. Robertson (Deputy-Mayor presiding), Williams, Fox. Radford and Fairhall. Apologies were received from the Mayor, Crs Bradley, Brown Wilson and Bird. Waterman McKendry’s request for annual leave was granted. A letter from the Shop Assistants, asking the Council’s patronage at their picnic on Alonday was favourably received. A

complaint about blockage of right of way was received, and the offender is to be notified to remove obstruction. On a complaint about cyclists riding on footpaths by Air Sutherland, it was resolved that Mr D. Maloney (Inspector of Nuisances) be instructed to see that the by-laws are carried out. A letter from Air J. Scanlon was referred to the General Purposes Committee. Air J. W. King wrote complaining about, non fixation of electric light and an explanation by the Electrical Engineer. A further explanation is to be given by the Electrical Engineer at a meeting of the Electrical Committee next Wednesday. Cr Williams explained that as far as his knowledge went there was no blame attachable to the Borough staff. The Progress League asked that indication posts be erected to direct visitors to the various points of interest in Westport. This matter was held over until the end of the financial year. A remit re the Highways Boards taking over control of Alain Roads was referred to General Purposes Committee. A petition for raising funds for the relatives of Alessrs Alonteith and Hood, the Tasman fliers, was received, and it was decided that the Alayor should be asked to open a subscription list. The Report and Balancesheet of the Municipal Band was read and received. It disclosed that financially the Band was in credit £105; and that there was a necessity for providing a new Conductor. This matter will be attended to at Friday’s annual meeting.

Enquiries re explosion of petrol drum at Sergeant’s Hill were referred to County Council. Intimation was received of the arrival of their Excellencies the Governor General and Lady Alice Fergusson at Westport. The matter of making suitable arrangements was left in the hands o r the Alayor and Town Clerk. A motion passed in regard to the arrival of the war ships in Westport, one on the Alonday, and the other on the Friday that the matter bo be referred to General Purposes Com-' mittee. The gas manager’s report showed an increase in the gas mad? of 104. 000 cubic feet. The El vtrieal Engi-

neer’s report revealed a steady increase in consumption. Cr AVilliams moved that the report bo received and thought it was very satisfactory indeed. The motion was carried. The Overseer’s report was received, The Abattoirs report was also received The Inspector of Nuisances’ report relate;! mostly to waste of water. The Viator Works Caretaker’s report showed that there was over 14ft of water in the dams. Remits to be presented to the Municipal Conference were laid on the table.

Air Coleman, lorry driver, offered to make alterations so that the Dennis lorry could be safely housed. This action was appreciated by the Council. Air Coleman to do the work gratuitously. A formal resolution was passed “that 10 per cent, be added to all rates left unpaid after Feb 28th. Reports on Committees were adopted as follows:

General Purposes Committee: —That Overseer and two workmen be transferred to waterworks until the end of the year; that the Inspector of Nuisances (D. Afaloney) be granted leave of absence for one month from 18th February to 17th Alareh on full pay, the Town Clerk to make the necessary arrangements for filling his position during his absence; that Messrs Hansen and Co be granted an Auctioneer’s License to continue in force until th-? first ordinary meeting of the Westport Borough Council after the

31st day of December, 1928, on payment of the required fee; that permission be granted to the Methodist Church to hold a Paddy’s Alarket in Palmerston Street opposite the Post- Office on Saturday February 4th; that the Westport Swimming Club be granted the use of the Swimming Baths for a. Swimming Carnival on Saturday afternoon February 4th on the usual conditions; that the report of the Electrical Committo? dated 30th January 1928 be referred back to the Committee for further consideration, and that the consulting electrical engineers, Alessrs Vickerman and Lancaster, be advised of the deliberations of the Committee, and that one of them be requested to visit Westport

as early as possible to confer with the Council in regard to reorganisation of the Electrical Department. Electrical Committee. —That a rubber mat be procured for the Power House at Fairdown, the Town Clerk to obtain quotations for same from the Dunlop Rubber Coy, Ltd, and the Barnett Glass Rubber Coy, Ltd. Gas Committee.—That the expenses of the Gas Manager incurred by him when, attending the annual meeting of the Gas Institute be paid.