WEST COAST HEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 23

WEST COAST HEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) GREYMOUTH, January 10. Upon the whole the holiday season just closed has been one of the best that the West Coast has experienced for some years. Visitors have been present from all parts of the Dominion, and from Canterbury in large numbers. During the height of the season as many as 250 passengers have coached through the gorge an a single day. While this has caused anxiety and strain to the coaching companies yet no accident lias occurred, but it will bo a relief when the scenic attractions of the_ district, are no longer dependent upon the inconvenience and risk of a somewhat hazardous coach journey. The conditions of travel also to the finest scenery in the district are such as to damp the ardour of all but the enthusiastic. One party of motorists who visited the glaciers were held up for several days by flooded rivers, had to be dragged by horses through unbridged waters, and in one instance were compelled to leave their car over-night and walk hack to the nearest accommodation house. Yet one of their number expressed his willingness, to go through it ai! -'again for another view of tho splendid scenery. Next to the glaciers Lake Kanieri has been the favourite resort. On one day as many as 23 cars were together at the accommodation house. Here, again, improvements are needed. The road needs widening, and is in a poor state of repair. With the opening of the Otira tunnel this district should be one of the most popular in the Dominion for the tourist, and it is earnestly hoped that bv that time at least ordinary facilities will be afforded for the convenience of travellers and sightseers. Resumption of Work. — Coal mines, sawmills, and other industries have this week resumed work in good heart. The men appear to have had plenty of money to spend, and they have not stmted it. Record crowds have attended the races, and the weather has been of the best. The present year is likely to see considerable advance in the district in matters of vital importance. In a recent, interview the member for Westland stated that the contract for the electrification of the Otira tunnel was being vigorously prosecuted, and would be completed up to contract time. Mr Birks, electrical expert, will be visiting the district this month, and it is hoped that some definite step will be taken for the provision of electrical power. The Minister of Agriculture will -also pay the district a visit during the month, and inspect particularly the country about Kumara and the Grey Valley Experimental Farm, where a herd of Friesian cattle has* been established. Both the Minister of Railways and the general manager have promised improved facilities for timber stacking at Hokitika and Kumara Junction, and this will give an impetus to the sawmilling industry. The Prime Minister is expected in. the district at air early date, when he will look into this matter and also give consideration to requests for new schools. Last of all amongst the visitors is to be His Excellency the Governor-General, who has expressed a wish to see the West Coast and to visit the Franz Josef Glacier. Greymouth Water Supply.— The Greymouth borough engineer has warned the council of the unsatisfactory and almost precarious condition of the town water supply. The stability of the pipes leading from the pumping station was uncertain. Tho first heavy flood would probably cause disaster. He strongly advocates a gravitation scheme as the only one which can secure permanent security and as the best means of obtaining a pure supply. The present arrangement has for some time occasioned anxiety, yet there is a prevailing spirit of public apathy on the question. Either a flood or a few weeks of dry weather impei i’s the water supply. Harbour Commission. The commission appointed under the Harbour Board Amendment Act to visit the district- and decide upon the boundaries of the Grey Harbour District will sit almost immediately. Considerable interest is being shown in the commissioner’s visit. A special meeting of the Greymouth Borough Oinncil has been called in connection therewith, and a meeting of the Miners’ Association at Ritnu has urged the Mayor and county chairman at Hokitika to insist on having a sitting of the commission in that town so that county ratepayers may give evidence. There is strong objection at Hokitika to their inclusion in the harbour district. Brunner Traffic Bridge.— In November last the railway district traffic manager warned the Brunner Borough Council that after the closing of the Brunner coal mine the department would cease to accept responsibility for the maintenance of the traffic bridge across the Grey River. The department now advertises that the bridge is to be closed to all vehicular traffic, and that pedestrians must use it at their own risk. As the suspension bridge has not yet been rebuilt this edict means the complete isolation of Taylorville, which is on the side of the river remote from the railway. There is no other bridge nearer than Greymouth, which is five miles distant. An indignation meeting has been held by the Brunner residents, and representations made to the department by the members for Westland and Buffer. . The bridge has been in a bad state of repair for some time, bait up to the present it has been authorised to carry from eight to 10 tons. The complete prohibition of traffic is therefore felt to he rather hasty. Gold Mining. The machinery and plates for the new dredge which is being built in connection with the Ritnu Flat fold dredging scheme have rust arrived from America. It took two days to unload the machinery at the Greymouth wharf. The returns for December for the Blackwater mines were: —Crushed, 2700 tons; vdor* £ 5872; working expenses, £4869; capital. £54; development. £lO9. Last month's oxn* at:s from Greymouth included gold to the 'value of £7685.' -—Miners’ Union. — On the recommendation of the executive the Inangnhua Miners’Union has decided to divide itself into two s* otions. The fir-1 of these will comprise nil workers at 1 lie quartz mines and also those employed on aounty council road works, railway and Public Works employees, and men clearing bush. The other section will consist of all j members employed in the production and I transport of coal from the Inariaahua mines, i This section, which numbers 150 men, has ■ decided to affiliate with the X.Z. Coni j Miners’ Federation as from January 14. The reason for the division of the union I is the complex character of the occupations of the union members.