WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3593, 23 January 1923, Page 42

WEST COAST NEWS.

(Fbom Oob Own Correspondent.) January 16. In the c&£e of the 74- miners who were proceeded against for a breach of agreement in having held a stop work meeting ■without permission and contrary to the -provisions of the Act, the charge was withdrawn in the case of six of the men. The -others pleaded guilty. In consideration of various circumstances, the magistrate decided not to impose the full penalty. The defendants were each fined lCs without -(Costs. Gieymouth Show.— The West Coast Agricultural, Pastoral, -«nfl Industrial Association, recently reorganised, pm poses holding a show towards

the end of February. The schedule is comprehensive, and every encouragement is being held out to secure exhibits. Should the experiment prove a success, the function will probably become an annual one. Tunnel Engines. The first of the electric engines for use in the Otira tunnel has been completely assembled at the Addington Railway Workshops. A second is nearly completed, while a third is in process. Two others are awaiting parts, which have not yet arrived from England. The completed engine took four and a-half days to put together. The engine will weigh 48 tons, and have a total length over buffers of 38ft 6in. They are designed for a speed of 15 miles per hour uphill for goods trains and miles for passenger trains. The down hill rate for passenger trains will be 25 mile 3. They will haul a load of 140, tons. The Otira tunnel, having a steep grade, special brake precautions have had to be taken. In addition to the ordinary automatic Westinghouse, the engine is equipped with a Westinghouse straight air brake. Special arrangement is also made for any temporary cessation of the current, there being batteries in the engine which will give the necessary power to operate the brakes. Special safety precautions have also been provided against contact with the electrical power in the engines. The Co-operative Coal Miners at Mokihinui have received a State order for nearly 1000 tons of coal. Though the railway traffic is rapidly reverting to normal with the passing of the holiday season, a large number of visitors still remain in the district, and, as is usually the case towards the end of the season, the accommodation for tourists at Waiho is fully taxed. It is reported that the Otira tunnel will probably be ready for opening about May. The. work now being done is the putting in overhead control, trolley wires, finishing the powerhouse, and the yards at each end of the tunnel. The fixing of the trolley wires through the tunnel, requiring as it does the drilling of holes in the concrete every few feet, is necesarily a slow job. As a precaution against surf-bathing accidents the Grey Harbour Board has placed a reel with 1500 ft of line in the newly-erected shed at the shore end of the breakwater, with a life buoy. A patent lifebelt has also been placed at the signal station for use by the officer in charge should occasion arise. As an extra precaution, and also for use in the case of a vesesl being stranded on the bar, the board has decided to purchase a B.S.A. line-throwing gun. This could also be used in the event of a tow line parting, and thus prevent accident to shipping. The local agitation in favour of greater publicity being gven to the tourist attractions of the district has resulted in a visit from Mr Steel, secretary of the Otago Expansion League. He has visited Hokitika Gorge, Lake Kanieri, and South Westland. He is of the opinion that this district, in common with other parts of the South Island, has been neglected by the Government, and states that is is the intention of the Otago League to continue agitation on the matter. The Westland Progress League will co-operate, and also Greymouth, which is beginning to discover its own attractions. Prospecting Subsidies. — Definite steps are at length to be taken in the direction of more exhaustive prospecting for gold in the southern portion of the district. The proposed scheme by which the Government will subsidise £2 for £1 was discussed last week at the Westland County Chambers, Mr J. Downey, Inspector of Mines, being present. A good deal of difference of opinion existed as to the most suitable locality for the initial operations, the Paringa, Upper Arahura and Blue SpurHumphries areas being all advocated. A good case was made out for the Manama Flat, South of River Flat, where the American dredge is getting 400 oz of gold per week. There is a stretch of untried country between Rimu and Totara, which it was contended would probably repay testing. It was finally decided to put shafts down in this locality, and a committee including Mr Downie was appointed to select the sites for the shafts, A government geological officer will be in charge of the operations. Four men will be employed, the district rate of wages paid, and the men will have preference in regard to any finds. This experiment will be followed with interest as tho Government’s future policy will probably be influenced by its result. Obituary.— After a short illness the death occurred last week of Mrs W. Greenslade. of aouf h Beach, near Greymouth. The family has been long resident on the Coast, and is well-known and highly respected throughout the district. One of the deceased lady’s sons, the Rev. W. Greenslade, was for some years in the Otago district, at Gore, and Mornington, Dunedin. Personal.— Mr J. P. Keenan, who was secretary of the West Coast Rugby League, has been transferred from the Greymouth Post Office to Christchurch. Dr Telford, formerly resident in the district, has been spending a holiday amongst his old friends. Mr John Watson, of Blackball, who has been for a number of years manager of the Blackball Coal 00., has accepted the position of superintendent for the Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd. He has had a wide experience of mining, having been an official in various companies for the past 24 years. He has worked in Wales and in Australia, and came to New Zealand 10 years ago. In his new position he will have control of two large mines. He is the holder of an honours diploma in coal mining from the Sydney Technical College of Coal Mining. His removal from Blackball has been occasioned by the closing of the mi Has there as a result of the recent fire. Mr Maunsell, S.M., of Westport, has been transferred to Nelson.