WESTPORT COAL COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2083, 25 January 1894, Page 23

WESTPORT COAL COMPANY.

The directors of the Westporb Coal Company in their annual report to be submitted to shareholders state that the profit for the year ending 3lßt December, after providing for depreciation, bad and doubtful debts, and all charges, amounts to £22,477 18s 7d, to which must be added the sum of £6349 3s lid brought forward from last year, making a total of £28,827 2s 6d ; an interim divided of 3J per cent, was paid for the half year ending 30th June 1893, amounting to £7794 13s 6d ; leaving a balance to be dealt with of £21,032 9s. Out of which the directors now propose to pay 3J per cent, for the half year ending 31st December 1893, making a dividend of 7| per cent, for the year, £7794 13s 6d ; to give a bonus of Is per share, which will absorb £3464 6s; to appropriate for expenditure on Granity Creek works, £3000; and to carry forward to next year's account, £6773 9s 6d ;—; — total, £21,032 9s.

We have received the following letter in connection with a paragraph which wo publish from the Brunner News : —

Sir, — With reference to tho rumour in your issue of this date that, the Westport Coal Company had made an offer of £50,000 for the Black Ball Coal mine, I am instructed by my directors to give the most unqualified denial to the statement, as it is entirely without foundation. We have never* made any overtures to the Black Ball Coal Company, nor have we had any communication whatever with them on the subject. — I have. &c, George Joachim, Manager Westport Coal Company (Limited). Dunedin, January 24.

The Taieri Advocate learns that the Hessian fly has again made its appearance in the crops this year, arid that by the time the harvest is over it will be found that this pest has caused considerable damage. The fly appears to be numerous in the western portion of tho district, where it will be remembered that a large amount of damage was done by it last year.

The Tapanui Courier understands that the Government are considering the advisability of purchasing Greenvale estate for settlement. A movement is also on foot to get Moa Flat estate for the came purpose.

The Taieri Advocate states that as Mr J. Macdonald was bathing at Brighton on Sunday he wss quickly carried out to sea, but, though nob a swimmer, he retained his presence of mind and kept himself afloat until Mr P. Taylcr, of Moegiel, swam out to his a c si6tance.

A number of gentlemen interested in the mining industry proposed ho wait upon the Colonial Treasurer yesterday afternoon to urge upon him the desirability of the Cabinet fcakiag action to secure a report from Mr Murray, the Victorian geologist, on deep level prospects in Otago before rhat gentleman returns to Australia, but, owing to Mr Ward's unexpected departure for Invercargill, they did not have the opportunity of an interview with him.

Mr Harry Severne, schoolmaster at Havelock, committed suicide on Sunday afternoon. He laid down, placed a gun in position, pulled the trigger with his left foot, and shot himself between the eyes. -He was about 45 years of age, and had been under medical treatment a few days ago for excessive drinkiDg.

From a report in the " New Zealand Medical Journal " it appears that at the last meeting of the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Medical Association there was a good deal of adverse criticism on Dr Will's action in regard the Mattei cures, and notice of motion was to given that the secretary be instructed to write to Dr Will requesting him to furnish a written statement; as io how he proposes to act with respect to his future treatment in the so-called Mattei cases, and when he proposes to produce his reports of results. The discussion was led up to by Dr Roberts reading a paper, which he entitled "The History of a Mistake," which referred to tho case of a Taieri farmer who was supposed to be suffering from malignant cancer in the abdomen. After a while the abdominal tumour suppurated, when a piece of what is supposed to be chicken bone came out. Dr Will explained that he never renommeDrled the ufee of Count Mattci'3 cures, and had only u&i-d them -at the urgent request of patients. He

intended bringing up a report of cases treated, which would show that the results had been unsatisfactory as regards cure.