WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3661, 13 May 1924, Page 31

WEST COAST NEWS.

(Fbom Oub Own Oorbespondent 1 ! ' s WEATHER. . c „ -May 6. After a spell of fine weather ihe whole district a week ago experienced a most, unusual downpour of rain. In about one w«ek the fall at OHra was 32in. At Greymoutn there was a tall of nearly Tin during the same week. Ihe rain was accompanied one night by a heavy thunderstorm, which did a great deal of damage to telegraph and telephone wires. Communication with Christchurch was interrupted, so that no train was run on the first dav following the cessation of the railway strike. The Grey River was m high flood, and for a time seriously threatened to overflow the town. On one day of the same week over 2in fell at Reefton. For the month of April there was a rainfall there of nearly 9in, and for the year so far it has been 21giu. Thirty-two inches of rain in a little over a week is a record even for a district where rain is the normal condition. Some 40 years ago, it- is said, there was a continuous downfall of rain for six weeks. Otira’s recent experience is unique of its kind, and will be remembered as a worthy rival of that earlier achievement. As was to be expected, the southern portion of the district received its full share of the deluge. Over llin of rain were recorded at Hokitika in the week, and snow fell on the hills. Considerable damage was done on the Main South road. Two bridges were damaged, and the approaches to others scoured away. A good portion of the wall at the entrance to the Hokitika River has also been washed away. INDUSTRIES. Gold.— Owing to the reef approaching the surface it has been found necessary to close down the Kcep-it-Dar.k mine. Further working would be possible by sinking a new shaft, but it appears doubtful whether this expense would be warranted. The Alexander Reefs Company has completed a track of seven miles from Snowy River, end a battery of five stamps will shortly be erected at the works. Attention is called to the fact that this belt- of State land is approximately parallel with the Reefton State belt, and is well worth further prospecting. Coal.— The congestion caused by the strike rendered all the Inangahua mines idle, with the exception of the Reefton Coal Company. The ovliers are reopening this week, and as orciers are numerous a prosperous period is anticipated. The Blackball mine has also resumed work. Representatives of the West Coast unions have been in Wel-

lington at a conference held for the purpose of forming a new national organisation of coal miners. The Westport-Stockton Coal Company last week shipped 1064 tons and the Westport Company 4962 tons. Farming.—• Tne Golden Coast Butter Factory received ! during April double the amount of cream supplied during the same period last year. The product of this company has been graded 94j, which is third highest for the port of Lyttelton. Supplies to district | grocers and consumers show a large increase upon last year. Farmers in this part of the district, are so confident of abundant winter feed that the company has decided to keep its factory open all the year. As this company has its own motor lorries, it suffered little inconvenience through the strike. Pig breeders are enjoying the benefits of through railway traffic. From Inangahua and South Westland record consignments have been made to Canterbury, and a price of 6cl per lb cn the trucks has been received. PERSONAL. Airs Schroder, who has been for many years in Greymouth and is now removing to Wellington, has been honoured by a semi-civic farewell. She has been* most enthusiastic in all enterprises for the benefit I of tile town, and was an indefatigable ! worker during the war. Ladies’ com : mittees will scarcely seem complete without i her. Mr C. E. Craig, for 18 years a resident of Westport and a prominent Druid, has removed to Murchison, where he takes the pest of editing manager of the local paper. Many testimonies were made to His excellencies as a. citizen. Miss O’Brien, head mistress of the infant ; division of the Cobden School, is removing to Wellington, and Mr Black, of the Greymouth Alain School, is accepting a nost- at j Otira. ITEMS. j For the mining examinations held recently j by the Alines Department for the positions j of deputy foremen and underviewers 14 j candidates sat at Greymouth and 21 at | Westport. j On account of the interruption of negotia- ! Hons through the railway strike, the exI cursion for school children in this district ; to visit the fleet in Lyttelton has had to be I abandoned.

The resumption of railway traffic came as a relief to a largo number of people who were held up both in this district and at Christchurch. The first through train from Canterbury brought about 4CO passengers, and the first express in the other direction had a passenger list- of 2CO. Four car leads of passengers who had been held up at the Bealey were also brought on to Otira. A branch of the Buller Progress League, to be known as the Alokihinui branch, has been formed at Seddonville. The Timber Workers’ Union has written to the Savvmiilers’ Guild requesting a' conference in relation to the demand for a new agreement. One of the demands is to be for a 42-hour week. A new Anglican Church at Westport will be officially opened on Alay 22 by Bishop Sadlier of Nelson, who will be assisted brother clergymen of the district. A large gathering of clergymen from other districts, some of whom have been previously stationed on the Coast, is expected. During April 16 vessels entered the port of Greymouth and 22 left This represented an aggregate tonnage of 7984 entering and 11,131 outwards, which is considerably less than the average. Alay Day was observed as a holiday in the mining centres. As pay day came during the same week (when no mining- is done), the Railway Department was able to clear most of the congestion caused by t-he strike. At a householders’ meeting at Burnett’s Face on the occasion of the election of a school committee a protest was carried against Bible-reading in the public schools. A mawk’s bill turtle, measuring 6ft and weighing scwt, was recently washed up on the beach near Westport. The Minister of Lands has agreed to place £SO on the Estimates for improving the Stockton Domain.