WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 30

WEST COAST NEWS.

(From Oub Own Cob,be?i>ondent.i July 29. MINING. Apart from the larger mines, a good deal of activity is apparent in coal mining in the Grey Valley. The syndicate which has taken over the Walisend mine has purchased a large boiler at Otira, and pumping gear will be installed to clear the mine preparatory to the resumption of coal hewing. Several co-operative parties are also at work, and others are preparing. These parties frequently work on seams that are nearly exhausted, and where they have been abandoned - by larger concerns. Work is proceeding- in a small way at the Dobson mine. The - aerial tramway at the Calliope coal mine is- nearing completion. In the lleefton district good returns are being secured at the Murray Creek quartz mines, which were reopened a few months ago. An interesting expen: t is being macie in the Buller Gorge b. North Island party, who are convinced c; . . existence of payable gold. A plant wh:ch had been used for conveying shingle for road metalling is being installed at a place called Berlins for gold dredging. By a system of wire ropes, one of wbich is stretched across the river, and with a. six-horse winch and boiler a bucket with a capacity of half a cubic yard is operated, being hauled backwards and forwards and emptied into the sluice-box. Amid great difficulties occasioned bv bad weather and roads, work is steadily proceeding at the Bull reef at the Alexander mine. The material for the battery has all had to be sledged to the mine, and the erection is about to be put in hand. The battery will be electrically driven, and should soon be in working order. FARM SCHOOL. The Farm School wbich has been held during the week in Greymouth and at the Waimaunga State Farm has proved very successful. About 100 farmers attended, and senior students from the various schools were present at the demonstrations. Lectures were given on such subjects as “Preparing Wool for Market.” “Drainage,” “Grass Lands of New Zealand,” “Herdtesting,” and “The Conditions and Diseases Affecting the Dairy Cow.” At a ploughing demonstration the Fordson tractor achieved good results in wet and swampy places. At the farm the beneficial effects of lime were amply shown in (he production of grass, and in root crops it was shown to have produced results in carrots, turnips, and swedes, ranging from 27 to 31 tons per aero. In one case an experiment in swedes on unlimed land was a complete failure. Buildings consisting of a six-roomed dwelling, a hay and implement shed, and a eowbyre are to be erected in the centre

of the farm. These will all be of latest design. Arrangements are to be made for feeding stock all the year round, and the dairy herd is expected to be about 40. The Farmers’ Union was responsible for the school arrangements, and the catering was in the hands of the ladies of the district. The school will undoubtedly give an impetus to dairying, and a great deal of useful information relative to the special conditions of farming in this district has been trained. TIMBER. The annual general meeting of the AVest Coast Timber Workers’ LTnion, which was held last week, was more largely attended than any heretofore. It was decided to negotiate with all the Hospital Boards with a view to the formation of medical associations under their jurisdiction. The meeting decided that the executive should consist of tvw members each of the Grey-Hokitika, Stillwater-Otira, and Stillwater-Karamea districts. The Westland County Council at a special meeting during the week protested against the ignoring of the legal claims of local government in the report of the Royal Commission respecting- timber royalties. A conference has been convened of all West Coast Counties, to which representatives of the Government are being invited, and Parliament is being asked to defer discussion on the report until after this conference. North Island Counties are being asked to co-operate. A deputation from Westland, and probably other West Coast County Councils, will interview the Minister of Internal Affairs on the question at Wellington during this week. The Inspector of Fisheries is taking action against sawmillers in the Hokitika district for depositing sawdust in the rivers, and a test case against the Diggers’ Sawmilling Company will shortly be heard. A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the West Coast A. and P. Association, held last week, reported a somewhat disappointing year. The interest of members is not keen. Though the balance sheet showed a small credit, the expenses were unnecessarily heavy. Buildings to the value of £SOO have been erected during the year. The membership is 300, and likely to be increased. A meeting is to be held in November to form a federation of societies. Some splendid inducements to competition, including a £SO cup from a Wellington firm, have been received by the association. The next annual show will be held in February. BRUNNER. In view of the actual and prospective improvement in the Brunner district through tne revival of coal mining, the Mayor has requested the Minister of Public Works to try and secure a grant of £7OOO for repairs to" the traffic bridge. The Minister’s reply is that until negotiations respecting the anchorages of the bridge reach finality the department i 3 unable to assist. The Minister, however, advises the Mayor to visit Wellington in order to discuss the matter. In view of the altered prospects, of the Brunner district, the proposal which had been made to merge the borough in the Grey County has been abandoned for the present. Brunner is already better able than for a long time past to manage its own affairs. For the first time for years it is now employing a permanent roadman. HOKITIKA EXHIBITION. At a recent meeting of the Hokitika Exhibition Committee a report was presented of the winding-up transactions. The total receipts to date were shown to be £Bl3l and the expenditure £8340. The remaining assets are valued at from £SOO to £6OO, and there are £250 of accounts owing by the committee. Outstanding accounts due to the committee amount to £3CO. A final wind-up meeting will be held in a few weeks’ time.