WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3448, 13 April 1920, Page 26

WEST COAST NEWS.

(Feom Oob Own Coreespondent.) GREYMOUTH, April 7. A party is at present surveying the Mt. Howie track between Greymouth and Reefton with a view to the formation of a road from the Rotomanu Station to the Kopara Hot Springs. These springs are well known to possess excellent medicinal qualities, but while the Government has concreted a bath and erected a hut, they remain very difficult of access. The proposed road, which could be formed at an expenditure of about £IOOO, would brinsr the springs within an hour and a-half's journey from the railway station. The committee appointed by the Grey County Council to inspect the AhauraKopara road has reported that if the present work be continued the road will be able by next spring to carry a light motor lorry. The district which would then be opened up contains good dairying land, and with the prospect, now virtually assured, of shortly being able to get their milk to the Ahaura Railway Station it is anticipated that the settlers will increase, and an impetus be given to the industry in this locality. Pastoral Prosperity.— Evidence of the growing prosperity of this district in pastoral pursuits is seen in the steady and increasing transport of sheep and cattle to outside markets. For some time West Coast stock has been commanding high prices in Canterbury. A special train of over 20 trucks left for Otira a fortnight ago, and yesterday another special train conveyed 1750 sheep from the Inangahua district to the Addinigton market. A special line of 350 sheen passed through Greymouth from the south last, week en route to Christchurch. One local firm of auctioneers in Greymouth despatched during the month of March over 50 trucks of sheep to Canterbury. Several extensive purchases also of cattle from the Haast and Okuru districts in South Westland have recently been made by representatives of Dunedin auctioneering firms. One hundred and fifty cattle were a week or two ago driven without loss through the Haast Pass to Otago, and a further 170 are awaiting delivery. Bruce Bay.— A wharf is to be built at Bruce Bay in the far south of the district. The approaching road is nearimg - completion, and it is expected that .the wharf will be ready fqr use in about fourt months. It will be a great convenience to settlers and shippers, as it will obviate the necessity which has hithertb of landing passengers and goods by surf boats? Progress League. — A public meeting, held at Westport recently, decided to establish q. Progress League to further the interests of the town and district. Mention was made of- the excellent work done by the Canterbury-West Coast League in keeping the needs of this district before the public. A committee was appointed to draw up a constitution, and a resolution passed congratulating Hon. Mr Coates on his elevation to the Ministry of Public Works, and expressing the hope that his appointment would inaugurate a progressive policy of railway and road construction. Mr P. R. Climie, organiser for the Canterbury Progress League, has recently visited Greymouth and Hokitika for the purpose of establishing branches of the league in these centres also. The present is an opportune time for the establishment of such organisations, the chief objects of which will be the development of industrial and commercial enterprise, the advertising of the district, and the advancement of the educational and social interests of the people. There is no doubt at all that this district is on the eve of an era of prosperity, and such a move at this juncture is taking the tide at the flood. War Trophies.— In reply to a request by the member for Westland two 'captured German guns have been allocated by the Defence Department 'as war trophies to Hokitika. They have been set up in front of the Government buildings. Hospital Boards. — At a meeting of the Inangahua Hospital Board it was resolved to ask the Department of Health to send an inspector to decide which of several proposed sites would be most suitable for the proposed new hospital. The hospital is experiencing great difliculty in securing certificated nurses, and as probationers are required to do nurses' work, it was resolved to increase their allowances; and as an inducement for qualified nurses to accept positions. higher . salaries are being offered. The monthly meeting of the Westland Hospital Board approved the appointment of Dr Bathgate as medical officer at Otira, the Public Works Department being responsible for three-fifths of his salary, and private practice being allowed. , Technical Schools. — Preparatory work is now in full swing for the erection of the Greymouth Technical High School. The site was at one time heavy timber country, and it will be some time •before it can be thoroughly cleared. The plans for the Westport Technical School nave been approved, and tenders are being called for the erection of the building. The Westport Hospital Board, also, is progressing with its proposed alterations to the Buller Hospital, the estimated cost of which will be £10,463. The plans, which have been received from the architect, will be discussed at an early meeting of the board. In the meantime suggestions are being solicited from, the Ladies' Committee relative to the children's ward. - Coal.— The frequent agitation respecting the freight on coal from Cronadun and Reefton has been ended by a definite statement by the Prime Minister to the effect that, as comparative figures show that the rates charged from these two centres are less per mile than from the State mines, no reduction can at present be made. Word has been received from Wellington that the Public Works Department has at last given instructions for the immediate construction of the branch line from Runanga to the new Seven Mile coal mine, and also for the excavation of the station yard. '- Tunnelling operations at the Liverpool State mine last week discovered, earlier than was anticipated, a new seam of splendid coal, 9ft 6in wide, and still making. The seam rises to the hill, and expert opinion is that the indications are for an extensive area of coal. It is understood that the management will immediately commence operations on the seam, a sample of 50 boxes of which has already been brought to the Rewanui binns.

■ Butter Factory Burned.— The Birchfield butter factory, in the Westport district, which was opened only a few months ago, has been destroyed by fire.