WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3426, 11 November 1919, Page 27

WEST COAST NEWS.

(Fkou Our Own Cobiiesi'Oxdknt.) GREYMOUTH, November 5.

There has been for somo time consider* able friction between the Marine and Railway Departments and the West Coast Harbour Boards. As a result of the war th* Westport and Greymouth Harbour Boards became eubjeot to increased charge* fo* higher wages and cost of material fo* the maintenance of wharves and the railway lines, which are Harbour Board endow)ments. These extra charges they might have passed on to customers and mine* had they possessed the power to do so* In tho meantime the Government intervened, and by the provisions "The Finance Act, 1915," imposed higher rates for wharfage haulage and tonnage by levies amounting in all to 21 per cent., and appropriated this additional revenue, while lie Harbour Boards were left to meet their increased costs out of ordinary revenue, though the profits from increased rates properly belonged to them, the railway lines being Harbour Board endowments. Naturally tho, Harbour Boafds consider that they have . been subjected to injustice The Westport; Harbour Board estimated the Govern-' ment's indebtedness to them a few months ago at £50.000. The position of Greymouth is more difficult to estimate, as only a ; portion of the railway line is endowment. A deputation from the Westport Board was sent to Wellington to represent matters to Cabinet, with most encouraging results. It was .virtually promised that the Finance . Act would be repealed, and that a part of the 21 per cent, levy made upon the board would be rebated, and probably a cash donation made in additions. There the matter irested for a time, but later on the department offered _ the board > £30,000 in settlement of tho dispute. This the board considered to be. little more than half its just claim, and thus a deadlock ensued. At Greymouth, where the situation is more complicated, the department's attitude was so unsatisfactory—promises of a visit of inquiry being unfumlled—that the board instituted proceedings against' both, the Railway and Marine Departments for the recovery of arrears of dues. In reply to this, action the Government a few weeks ago promised financial assistance on condition that the proceedings were stayed j or, rather, refused assistance unless the action was dropped. The board thereupon decided to stay proceedings on condition that the increased charges of 21 per cent, made on account of the war were abolished and * the amount collected to date was credited to the board. It also required that tho Finance Act of 1915 should not b© operafive in respect to Greymouth. The board expressed its willingness to forego its rights to revenue from the Grey-Brunner railway * in consideration of an annual grant of £lß,ooo>in lieu thereof as from April, 1918, • though the revenue from the line is about £22,000 per annum It further required that it be given similar powers to other boards to levy necessary charges, and be allowed to arrange for their collection on the. same basis as the Lyttelton Board. Since this decision no further developments have taken, place, > and the situation remains in a very unsatisfactory condition, though the deputation which presented the Greymouth Board's requirements was sympathetically received, and hopes were entertained that its affairs would be placed upon an equitable footing during the present session, the Government having virtually given a promise to that effect. Ati the last meeting of the Harbour. Board it was decided to send a telegram expressing the resentment of the board at the Government's laxity in the matter, as the session 13 closing, and no provision has been made for adjusting the question either in the Washing-up Bill or the Appropriation Bill. . ■

Upon the urgent representation of the member for the district, the Prime Minister has at the last moment promised that the Government will advance the sum of £15.000 on account to assist the board in ita immediate needs. MONTH'S EXTORTS.

The last month's exports reported from Greymouth included 185 bales flax, four bales wool, 78 tons bricks, 4-7 tons coke, and 3,977,834 ft timber. The coal export a similar period was 10,192 tons, of whioh the Stato mines contributed 11,558 tons. The coal export fluctuates greatly. As will be seen, the weekly export for the four weeks just mentioned would be over 4500 tons, while that for last week was only. 1603 tons ' .

WEST COAST ISOLATION

The Westland Chamber of Commerce recently decided, in view of the approaching- revision of railway time-tables, to suggest a daily service between the West Coast and Canterbury during the months of December, January, and February, and more frequent through communication- with Hokitika It further resolved to support the Greymouth Chamber in its effort to secure more rapid communication with Nelson. Mr T. E. T. Seddon, member for Westland has recently made a. request to the Government for a permanent daily service between Westland and OanterburyThe isolation of the Coast through the infrequent railway service is illustrated, by the uncertainty which attaches to other means. The recent stormy weather hau raised a flood in the Grey River which renders the bar unworkable,_ with the result that several steamers with Wellington mails and perishable goods aboard have been lying for several days off the coast. While the wintry weather ia a cause of inconvenience, it serves its good purpose as well The fresh in the Grey-, has scoured the bar. which had become e'lted with sand and shingle till it. was shallower ihan it had been for years. Personal.— Mr Bevin, the popular manager of the Greymouth branch of the Bank of New Zealand, has received notice of promotion to Ashbuirtom Mr Bevin has been four years in Greymouth. and over 20 years of his career have been spent in the Goldfield districts, many of them in Otago. The funeral of the late Mr J. at Westport was the largest yet seen in the Buller district. It was attended by representatives of public bodies from all parts of the district. A publio meeting is to be called to consider the erection of ft memorial. Canon Oarr, of Richmond and Stoke, arrived in Greymouth last week aa successor to the Rev. J. A- Rogers.

The following appeared in our Second Edition last week :