WESTPORT NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13935, 18 December 1905, Page 5

WESTPORT NEWS.

[Pep. Press Association,] WESTPORT, December 10. In the case Champion versus Westport Coal Company, Warden Kenrick gave bis reserved decision. He ruled that deceased was a miner, that- the accident happened in a mine, that the Warden had full jurisdiction under the:Coal Mines Act to hear the case, that it was not necessary for the plaintiff to prove the incorporation of the company, and that notice of the:claim to the company’s manager was sufficient. He therefore entered up judgment upon the assessor’s findings-, for £3OO damages, with costs £42 18s 2d. Defendant will appeal to the District Court on fact and law. Champion was a screen boy, and was killed on the company’s tramway near the coal-bins. The Wairuna has sailed for Sydney, taking 3500 tons of Westport Coal Company’s coal for the Admiralty. The voyage, of the s.s. Tekapu from Karamea to Westport on,, Wednesday, was a perilous one. When half an. hour out from Karamea the tubes in her combustion chamber’ commenced to leak, and it was decided to make for Little Wanganui, but before that haven could be reached the engine entirely stepped. The steamer had then lest her offing, and as it would have been useless to attempt to make the port without steam, the boat’s very inadequate sails were hoisted. .With the current and a slight wind the steamer drifted along the coast, being very close to the surf at times. It was greatly feared that she would not clear O’Connor’s Rocks. Fortune was favourable, however, and when off Slokihinui temporary repairs to the boiler were effected, and Captain Gilbertson brought his charge on to Westport under easy steam.

It is reported here that the operation of the bank to bank clauses in the.-Miu-ing Act; is likely to have disastrous’ results. At Reefton quartz mines the practical reduction of the hours of labour without decreased pay, has caused the shutting down of the Inkermair mine, and the Consolidated Company will not restart the Wealth of Nations and Golden Fleece mines after Christmas. ■■ :

The Westport municipal abattoirs are the first on-the West Coast to be opened. Speaking at the official ceremony, Mr Reakes, Assistant Chief Veterinarian, said that Mr Gilruth, Chief Veterinarian, wassorry he could not be present. He had sent in his resignation to the Government -on a'point of principle. ■ The speaker was with himi and, whatever the result, would' be with him still. . -

The work of extending the main haulage rope across Chasm • Creek bridge into the new-area of the Seddonville State colliery, will be commenced immediately. The coal output from , the State mine will therefore cease until the first week in January;