WEST COAST NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14396, 12 June 1907, Page 9

WEST COAST NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] GREYMOUTH, June 11. Good progress continues to be made with the Paparoa mine. Over two hundred men are constantly employed. The direct or s are hopeful of pulling out a large expert of coal from the commencement, and arc, it is understood, carrying on negotiations whereby a. large over-sea trade will be carried out. , The Government mining experts and the Sydney electrical engineer who recently visited the Ross district in connection with the propsal to work the deep levels of the Rets goldfield are, it is understood, of opinion that the Ka-neiri Lake id by far the beet and most reliable source from which to generate power. The idea is that the generating .house should lie in the vicinity .of the lake, from whence the power would be transmitted to Ross by a cable. There was always considerable doubt as to the supply from the Mikonui River being wholly sufficient for pumping arid haulage purposes, especially in dry weather."

The work of taking soundings in connection. with the marine survey of Point Elizabeth was completed yesterday. Throughout the results have proved most satisfactory. Th© water in the bay_ itself i.s deeper than was anticipated * would bo the case, while along the sea coast from Greymcuth to the Nine-mile' the soundings disclosed' a good depth, with an even, bottom the whole distance. The Grey-mouth, Harbour Board, on the suggestion of Mr Joseph Petrie, to-day passed' the following motion “ That, seeing the present port is not up to the requirements of the trade, and. that large extensions; and: improvements are imperative, Mr Maxwell ana the Enginoer-in-Chief be communicated with, with the object of inspecting, reporting and advising along with the Board’s engineer upon the feasibility of constructing a deep-sea. harbour in connection with the jagconi scheme already approved of by the Board; further, that such commission report on the following questions:—(l) The question of increasing the present berthing accommodation within, the next twelve months, this to include recommendations as to dredging; (2) the equipment of tills port as regards railway sidings and loading facilities; (3) the rolling-stock equipment of the railways feeding the port, including increased engine-power and trucks for both coal and timber;' (4) the repair or construction of th© existing wharfs, to enable them to bo fully available for heavy railway and crane purposes; (5) to take the evidence of labour exports, shipowners and masters trading to this port, with a view of determining to what extent , the tonnage of steamers working this port, may be increased.”