WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1945, Page 6

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent! WESTFORT, April 21 The Poolta arrived from Gisborne this morninn. She is berthed alongside the Kaimai to take part of the latter’s coal cargo so that she will be light enough to cross the bar. The Kiwitea arrived from Auckland this morning and is berthed alongside the Wingatui part of whose cargo she will takq. The Totara is still in port awaiting" improved bar conditions to permit her sailing for Tokomaru Bay. The Titoki is due to-morrow from Tarakohe to load for Castlecliff. Mr. A. G. Walker returned on Thursday from Christchurch. Miss M. McCubbin has returned from a visit to Wellington and Christchurch. Lance Corporal J. S. Connelly. left to-day. for Reef ton and Greymouth. Mrs. S. H. Simpson left for Nelson on Friday. Mr. and Mrs. S. Strachan have received a cable from their son, Sergeant D. L. Strachan, stating that he is safe and well in the United Kingdom after being a prisoner of war in Germany for the oast two and a half years. Sister C. Hay-MacKen-zie has returned to Westport after four years’ service in the Middle Tun At present the state of the Westport harbour is the worst it has been for some years. Due to a strong easterly set earlier in the week considerable shoaling has occurred on the bar and shipping loaded and ready to sail has been prevented from doing so since Tuesday. The Totara, drawing 14 feet, has been ready to sail since Monday night and the Kaimai and Wingatui, both loaded with much less than their usual cargo and drawing sixteen feet, are each at present discharging about 500 tons of their* load into the Poolta and Kiwitea respectively to lighten them enough to enable them to cross the bar. In its present state the port is practically unworkable and until the spring tides, which will begin to make' about Tuesday, there is no likelihood of any appreciable improvement in the depth of water on the bar.