WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1929, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Ou r Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, January 14. An announcement in the local press lately states that certain prospective mining ventures were on s the tapis as regards Addison’s Flat, and that e’er long we may have to hive of industry onc e again at Addisons. It is to be hoped this may be borne out in fact. As long ago as 1894.. when Mr P. J. O ’Regan represented Inangahua and Mr Roderick McKenzie, represented Buller in the House of Representatives,, both those gentlemen were making efforts to get the Minister of Mines of that day, 34 years ago, to grant assistance to bring water for sluicing purposes from either the Blackwater, the Big Ohika or Little Ohika to Addison’s Flat. The Hon. Mr Cadman replied that a race for hydraulic sluicing would probably cost £lOO,OOO, and held out little hope of sufficient money being placed on the estimates that year. Mr O’Regan, however, was not satisfied with the Minister’s estimate, and procured the opinion of an expert, whose estimate was £17,000, a vast difference. The “Inangahua Herald” in discussing the subject, said: “The distance from the streams referred to, is not great, even if long deviations were necessary in constructing a race in order to follow the contour of the country. This would be an advantage as the cost would be reduced owing to little fluming being necessary., and the cost of maintainance would also be very much less. ’ ’ Mr y Gordon had made a report to the Mines Department the previous year which should be distinctly encouraging to any syndicate which has an idea of reopening Addisons. Part of th e report read as follows: “The large area of virgin ground on Addison’s Flat which had never been prospected, leads one to believe that other leads of gold will yet be discovered in this locality. Indeed, judging from the number of leads, containing gold bearing gravel 100 -years wil not sec the auriferous portion of the flat worked out.” If hat report, shows the true condition o f affairs at that time, we may expect quite a good return to those who will venture their capital to win the treasure that has lain so long dormant. Mr Goutts and family arrived here on Saturday. Mr Goutts is to take up the duties of Stationmaster at Waimangaroa. The death of Mr Moseley tok place on Saturday at Waimangaroa.

The Shunters’ and Porters’ Club were to have their annual picnic at Tauranga Bay on Sunday, but the inclement weather did not conduce to its success.

Mr L. Pain was laid to rest at Orawaite . Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, a large concourse of relations and sympathisers being present. The /ate Mr Pain, -who was the eldest son of th e late Henri Pain, founder of Pain’s cordial factory, was born in GreymoUth, but shortly after came up to Westport. On the death of his father he carried on the cordial factory up till the time of his own death. Deceased was an all-rottud sport. Hp was a member of both the Trotting Club and Jockey Club since their inception and also owned several wellknown trotters. He was a keen bird and dog fancier and was President of the Buller Acclimatisation Society in which he was very interested. His entries in th e horse section of the Buller A and P Association’s show were always prominent and he was the possessor of several trophies from thi ■ diow. He was also a vice-president of the Westport Boxing Association. Besides one brother, an engineer on the dredge h e leaves four sisters: Mrs Gapper, Mrs Hay-McKciizie (Westport), Mrs Grogan (Westport), and Miss Teresa Pain.

The Tradesmens’ Picnic Committee met on Sunday morning to put the finishing touches upon, the ararngcments for the picnic on Monday January 28th. The Secretary reported making final arhngements with the Railway Department, nearly 600 travelled Ijast yicnic to Cape (Foulwind. Next Sunday morning committees will have to be arranged to have charge of the different sections. It is not yet known whether the Municipal Band can muster a contingent., but if so, it will be done. Given good weather, this year’s .picnic should prove a success. The Secretary ,is communicating with shop assistants throughout the- district and there is every indication that there will be good representation from the country.

The Plunket Nurse is to be asked to ’ judge in the Baby competition at the picnic. As there are trophies for both : boys and girls, everything in this regard, should be satisfactory. As the picnic takes place before the schools reopen the mothers and children will have an opportunity of finishing up the school holidays in a happy manner. Inward passengers per s.s. Komata wer e as follows: —Messrs Checker, Gillespie, Brownlie, Delaney,. Thomson, Geddis (2). {Hunt;, Peggy, Wilson, Cockburn Gray; Mesdames Crowe, Vicars, .Stirton, Jones, Griffiths and two children, Mathais; Misses Cockburn, Chcsher, Nelson. Henderson, Boggy (2), and Mrs and Miss Jones. Shipping loadings here this week will include:—Tuesday, Kaimanawa, for Auckland; Wednesday, Kamona, for Bluff and Dunedin; Thursday. Opihi, for Miramar; Friday, Kaimai, for Wellington and Napier.

Heavy rain fel /n the back country during the last day or two and as a result there was a heavy run in the river. Owing to the flood the Kamona was delayed in port. The Komata made her first trip of the year to Westport yesterday, arriving under the command of Capt Ben Corby, with Messrs Bevan, Meatyard and Bourke- as officers. Mp Ballaptyne is still chief engineer, with Messrs McVicar and Morrison also in their respective posts of 2nd. and 3rd. engineers. Mr Whittle has taken up duty as chief steward, vice Mr Ra<idon. who. is on holiday. Th e Westport-Stockton coal Coy., Ltd., shipped 2400 tons 19 ewts of coal for the week ending 12th. January, 1929.

The following team has b"" "'’’acted to represent Westport Swimming Association at the Greymouth Carnival this week: Misses Burns, McElwee McCubbin; Messrs C. Robertson, W. Trcloar, L. Donnelly, E. Holder, F. Atkinson. Dr. Foote will accompany the team as manager and Mrs Foote as chaperone. The team will leave for Greymouth on Thursday morning and the carnival will take place the same evening. Miss Mullholland, assistant at the dental clinic, has returned from a holiday in the North Island. Mr L. Earl, who has been on a visit to his parents, Captain a?id Mrs Earl, of Romilly Street, accompanied by his wife, left to-day for their home in Dannievirke. Miss Olive Beck is joining the nursing staff at the District Hospital at Westport. Mrs S'irton, a daughter of the late Mr L. M. Pain, arrived yesterday from Petoiie by the s.s. Komata. Mr N. Parker, manager of the- local branch of Westport Coal Company, has returned from Christchurch. Mr W. Casey has left for Christchurch and Welrngton on a holiday trip of a fortnight. Mr W. Curtayne, after a holiday trip to the North Island, has returned Misses Bain and Pickett from Lyttelton are on a visit to Mr and Mrs Smallholme, of Granity. M r J. Secretary-Manager of Westport Harbour, has returned from a visit to Christchurch. Mrs Henderson and niece, Miss Nelson are on a visit to Mr and Mrs L. Larsen. Mr Norrie Gillespie returned by the Komata from a holiday trip to Wellington. Miss M. Taggart left, by service car for Nelson to-day. Mis’? Henderson was a passenger for Wclington to-day. Miss M. Sherlock, of Utopia, left for Wellington on Saturday via Nelson. M r Ball, who has been visiting Mr Vincent, Wakefield Street, has left on return to Greymouth. Mr A. Kearns, of Morley’s brewery staff, is on a visit to relatives in Kaiapoi.