WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 26

WEST COAST NEWS.

(From . Our Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, March 3. The timber industry in the district is at present booming. Improved shipping facilities have resulted in increased activity at the milb. In the Brunner district the skids at the various mills have been emptied, and most of the mills are again working full-handed. There are in the whole distrct 50 mills at work, employing 800 men. The average export recently has been a million feet per week. There is every probability that the export for this year will total 60 or 70 million feet. Under present conditions about 70 per cent, of the timber is being shipped to Australia,, while there is an increasing demand in the Dominion. The preference for the Australian market, apart from the opportunity afforded by reciprocal trade, is partly due to the fact that smaller sizes—what was once' waste timber—finds a ready sale there, while there is no demand for it in this country. It is estimated that the saving of this waste enables a tree to yield 15 per cent, more of sawn timber. Other more thrifty methods also are improving the industry. Smaller trees, even trees of a foot in diameter, and from which only a single length can be cut, are bcincr utilised, and in some instances forests are being worked a second time. With the growing demand, the increased prices, and the vast areas of untouched timber country in South Westland, in the Buller Valley, and in Karamea, there should, with improved transport facilities and better access to ports, be many prosperous years before the sawmillers _ of this district. Amongst the vessels which have recently taken timber to Australia was the steamer Swallow, a strange looking converted Sydney drodge. She sailed last week with a cargo of about 500,000 feet of timber, mainly white pine, for Sydney. Grey County.— The Grev County Council is urging upon the Public Works Department the importance of authorising the construction, before the winter, of the roads for which money has been voted. It is surmised that the delay in undertaking these works is due to the reluctance of the Government to expend money until the close of the current financial year. - ..-..'** The county engineer reports that the roads construction at present in process is not satisfactory on account of the employment of insufficient and inexperienced men, much of whose time is being frittered away. He advocates the employment of gangs of men under experienced gangers so as to ensure better organisation. Further payments have been made by the Department on account of the votes for the Barrytown and Nelson Creek roads. A further sum of £IOOO has been applied for on account of the loan of £3OOO for the renovation of the Cobden bridge at Grevmouth. This work has been delayed through the difficulty in securing material and suitable labour. It is anticipated that it will be completed in the course of a few months, which will be a great relief to the public, as considerable inconvenience is caused by the frequent stoppage of vehicular traffic during working hours. Hydro-electricity.— The supply of hydro-electricity for the district has again been engaging public attention. It was mentioned in the Westland County Council meeting that the Government Year Book, 1914, instanced four possible sources of power in the neighbourhood of Hokitika, ranging from 18,000 to 80,000 h.p. The council resolved to ask other local bodies to co-operate with it in presenting to the Government a request for a complete report on the subject. Arrangements have been made by the Greymouth Borough Council to supply Mr L. Birkg with full information upon his forthcoming visit of inspection. Mr Birks has stated' that it is intended to divide the West Coast district into three sectionsGrey County, Westland, and Inangahua, each section having a hydro station. Westland County Affairs.— At a recent meeting of the Westland Countv Council a letter from the resident engineer stating thaf he had approved of the dismantling of Hungerford's bridge, which had been damaged by flood, aroused a good deal of protest. It was" pointed out that the recent flood, though a record, had not further damaged the structure, which could still bo made available for traffic. The overseer was instructed to report on the cost and the best site for a boat lock on the Lake Mahinapua Creek, which would render it always navigable. It was decided to make application for the sum _ of £3OOO to widen and the Kanieri Lake road to meet the requirements of the increasing tourist traffic. The Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts has since replied to this request, stating that in his opinion "neither the immediate nor prospective possibilities of the lake as a national tourist resort warrants the expenditure." An intimation was received by the council from the Minister of Lands that arrangements would be .made to put in the current year's estimates a £ for £ subsidy up to £250 for the purpose of draining La Fontaine Creek. The council expressed disappointment at the apparent failure of the Government to realise the gravity of the situation in the Arahura Valley,, where protective measures against flood need to be undertaken on an extensive scale, otherwise there is serious danger of the whole valley becoming inundated and the factory destroyed. Bridges Needed;— The Brunner Borough Council has requested the Government to furnish estimates for the re-erection of the swing bridge over the Grey River, either for a new wooden or wire structure, or alternatively using the old material. A grant will subsequently be asked for to carry out the work, and as there is every- probability of a commercial revival in the borough, in view of the coal development, the reconstruction of the bridge is imperative. The railway traffic suspension bridge at Brunner is in an unsatisfactory condition. During, the past 12 months minor repairs have from time to

time been effected, but more serious improvements will soon be necessary. Already the tonnage allowed on the bridge has been reduced by more than 50 par cent, in view of its unsafe condition. Nine Mile Colliery. — A proclamation has been issued in connection with the proposed railway from Runanga to the new Nine Mile Colliery, authorising the Public Works Department to make arrangments for the land for the line. There are «■ number of houses on the surveyed route. In pursuance of this proclamation, it is presumed that the construction of tho line will now proceed without further delay. The preparatory work at the mine is progressir,? rapidly, and will be completed before the line.