OUK "WEST COAST LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10035, 28 April 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUK "WEST COAST LETTER.

(Fbom Our Own Coebespondent.)

Ross, April 18.

THE WHEEL TAX IN WESTLAND.

The outcome of the Kokatahe farmers deputation to the Westland County Council on tho matter of the vehicle tax is—smoke! The farmers came with all the importance and authority of the Wesbland Agricultural and Pastoral Association to bick them up, praying and almost demanding the reduction in their cue of the wheel tax. They even said they had seen the Premier, who told them he had no idea the tax would press so heavily on the farmers,"and who advised them to interview the council. They urged that bona jide farmers should not pay so heavily as carriers, seeing that they did not use the roads so much. It was only for two or three months that they had any heavy traffic such as potatoes, chaff, &o. For the remainder they only used light vehicles once a week. They wished to have the present scale of 20s reduced to 10ii and of 15s to 7s 6d. They complained that they were taxed four times over. They were taxed on their land, on their dogs, on their sheep, and now on their vehicles; the carriers were not taxed similarly. But it was all to no purpose, for the hard-hearted 'county chairman cruelly told them that the schedule of fees had been referred to the Premier, who considered them perfectly equitable, and that the matter had been misrepresented to him ; that he could not promise any relief, as the funds of the council were very low—so low, indeed, that'were the vehicle tax not struck he feared there would have to be a charitable aid rate. The only crumb of com- \ fort the farmers did get was a promise that the matter would receive careful consideration.

A GBEYHOUTH GEM PUZZLE.

Costigan sued White for £13 10 1, but White alleging ere the case came on that he only owed £7 33, Castigan agreed to take that sum, accepting White's cheque in settlement. But White's solicitor, unacquainted with this, and acting under instructions, paid £7 10s into court on the morning of the case, whereat Costigan's lawyer offered no evidence; and thus his client appeared to become possessed of £14----13j in settlement of his bill. Bat the triumph was short-livtfa. When White's lawyer lodged the £7 10s he immediately impounded £5 14s of it on behalf of the National Bmk, on a previous judgment against Costigan, which left a balance of £116 a. Costigan, however, still had White's cheque for £7 3j, bnt on being asked to return it and refusing to do bo, White stopped payment at the bank. Costigaii, however, got a third party to cash the cheque, and thus had the £1163 and the £7 3s and the credit of haviDg paid the £5 143 on » judgment summons. Here the tide turned, for White sued and recovered from Cosfcigan value of his £7 33 cheque and £2 Is as costs; and" White's solicitor lodged an attachment ordfr against a Bum due to Costigan by the Greymouth Education Board. Qaery : How much does Costigan get for his claim of £13 10s against White ? ■

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS,

Mr Edward Terry Kobimon (for many years secretary to the Westland Board of Education, and latterly holder of the dual office of inspector of schools and secretary to the Grey Education, Board) died last Thutsday after a lingering illness. Hi 3 remains were interred withMasonie honours, he having belonged to the craft. Last' Friday night a tornado- on a small scale struck the town of Hokitika, and completely demolished a building in one of the main. streets. No other damage is reported. Two Nelson creek (Grey Valley) miners, named Joyce and O'Brien, hod a narrow escape from dßath whilst working in their olaim, through a large landslip coming down from a neighbouring height. Joyce is reported to have maintained a precarious footing- as he flew across the hundreds of tons of moving stuff, finally reaching a place of safety; the other man rushed behind a friendly jutting rock, and also escaped unhurt. Tha party's dog was, however, killed.

Tho net revenues from Coast railways for the year ending March 31,1894, show an increasa of £1000 on the Westport line; on the GreyBranner line there is a falling off of £3000, but as the expenditure has been reduced by £3300, the net result here is better by £300 than during the previous year. Since the opening of tho Hokitika line the earnings have been £1411, and the expenditure £1163. ' -

The Grey Borough Council still rejoices in a bank overdraft of £2906 8s Id; .on which the ratepayers pay £290 per annum as intsrest.

At an inquest on the remains of the lad Arthur Beswicb, accidentally shot by another lad named John Brawn, both of Brcmnerton, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from .a gunshot wound, accidentally inflicted by John Brown when out shooting pigeons on the Maori Golly road. The salaries of tho teaching staff in the Grey State School amount annually to £1347, as against £893 paid to teachers of the HolritikaHigh School.

For his bravery in rescuing another lad named W. Coleman from drowning, Charles Fuller (12 years), of Wesport, has been awarded the honorary certificate of merit by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia.

Tho new Westland Sawmilling Company (Hokitika) are "celebrating" their opening: to-day in the orthodox style. Their first order of 300,000 ft of white pine timber from a Melbourne firm is to be transported per Hokitika and Grey railway for shipment at the port of Grey. The timber industry is assuming such large dimensions that there is difficulty in securing vessels for ohirter.

The Rev. Joseph Taylor is lecturing as an English mining expert to attentiva audiences throughout the Ceast just at present. The Bishop of Nelson, who is on a periodical visit to this portion of his diocese, is receiving ovations wherever he goes. THe Hokitika Guardian is responsible for the statement that Hokitiki people are pulling down houses in order to save rates.

' Reef ton continues growling over the unnecessary expenses incurred over the late stupid polt in connection with the Alcoholic Liquors SaleControl Act, which are said to only tetal £100 ; yet the county council, on whom the burden falls, cannot pay np. The total " ex's "of the Westland poll is £2W, which has to bs paid by the boroughs of-Ross, Hokitika, and Kumara, and the Westland County Council. So satisfied are the shareholders of khe Sit Charles Rassel Gold-mining Company (Reefton) with their prospects, that last Saturday the directors accepted the tender of Mr G. Perotte for erecting at their mine a 10-head battery, engine, four berdans, aerial tram, two quartz paddocks, battery house, concrete foundation,, shafting, for extra five head of stampers, and. complete sets of battery and blacksmith's tools. . :

As the Grey Education Board finds itself getting into debt, it is holding conference with-, the local committee, having for its object thecutting down of current expenses. The Wtstland board is following suit. I suspect the end of these things will be reamalgamation of the two districts.

I regret-6o" tell you that the genial John Mitchell, coach proprietor on the Grey-Reefton-Bullerroad, has "gone" for £7000. He has lost his wife, ohild, and his sister, and now his living, all within the last six months. .

The Blackball coal district has increased in. population to such an extent that the Grey Education Board are likely to grant the request of the residents for the erection of a public school building there.

Gow Jon, a miner, olt Marsden, a small village on the old Grey-Kumara road, was killed last Friday by an earthfall whilat at work in his claim there.

■ Coaßt papers are giving credence to the rumour that the Railway Commissioners have offered the Mokihimii Coal Company (Westport) £12,000 for their railway line. Reefton is going in for the formation of arifle club. .

One of the principal business places in the licensed vituallers' line in Kumara, and situated in the most central part—the Post Oifice Hotel—was knocked down1 at auction tha other day for £125. At one time it would have readily fetched from £2000 to £3000.

The Westport Times says a Reefton storekeeper lost £500 by bankruptcy last week.