WEST COAST NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14973, 20 April 1909, Page 8

WEST COAST NOTES.

[From Our Correspondent.] GREYMOUTH, April 19. The weather is exceptionally fine. Tbe members of the Timber Commission, with the object of seeing tbe nature of the forest south of Greymouth, journeyed by the early train on Saturday morning to Ross, on reaching which placo further progress was barred by the flooded state of tbe Mikonui River, which is not bridged. A visit has been made to the State cool mine and to Point Elizabeth. It is proposed to make a harbour at Point Elizabeth to take the place of Greymouth harbour, the bar of which at times interferes with the shipping. A harbour iat Point Elizabeth, it is considered, would provido a safe haven for the largest sized steamers required in the 'West Coast trade, while the Greymouth harbour is only suitable for vessels of small tonnage and then only when the weather is favourable. Tho Commission sat until 6 p.m. to-day, and will meet again at 9 o’clock to-mor-row morning to take further evidence. A considerable number of the men working at the State coal mines have to come several miles into Greymouth to live as there are no houses near the mine to bo had. The State has built a. good number and is being urged to build more.