WEST COAST NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 34

WEST COAST NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) February 2. 'inc continued slackness in the timber trade is causing a good deal of concern, as it affects so many departments ot the district's activities. The heavy decrease in exports which results from it has senously affected the position of the Greymouth watersiders. of whom there are nearly 200. A number of these men have had no mork to speak of for the past month. The timber industry of this district could under proper conditions give employment to between 2000 and 3000 men, but less than 1000 are actually employed. The policy of the Government in restricting export and encouraging import is chiefly blamed for the present position, and strong representations have been made by the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, the Timber Workers’ Union, and other organisations, asking for assistance, and urging a commission or inquiry into the position. GREYMOUTH SWIMMING BATHS. On various occasions a project has been mooted for the establishment of municipal swimming baths in Greymouth, but nothing practical has materialised. At last, however, the idea has taken hold, and the baths now in course of erection will be a credit to the town. Of standard size and lined with white inch-thick tiles, the baths will prove attractive and popular. The committee of management has proved itself very energetic and capable, and it is largely due to its efforts that the scheme has at length been carried through. The baths will be ■opened, it is hoped, next month. COAL. The work of putting the underground workings of the Wallsend coal mine in order is still steadily progressing. The capital of the company is to be increased from £30,000 to £lOO.OOO, and important extension work will be undertaken. The air compressor and pump at the State mine are being dismantled and overhauled prior to their removal to Dobson, where concrete foundations are being prepared for them. Pumping at Dobson will probably not be commenced for several weeks yet, and will take between two and three months to complete. The work of several parties of cooperative miners has been interrupted by the heavy rain of the past few days, their communication bridges having been carried away by flood water. ITEMS. Mr H. M. Coulson, Deputy Mayor of Hokitika, who has been a member of the Borough Council for the past 20 years, has gone on an extended holiday trip to America and Europe.- Prior to his departure he was entertained by the Mayor and councillors and leading citizens, and received several presentations. At a meeting of representatives of local bodies held at Greymouth to discuss arrangements for the Royal visit it was reported that the Borough of Runanga had intimated that it did not wish to be included in the address of welcome. During last week the Westport Coal Company shipped 9097 tons of coal and

77 tons of slack, while local sales amounted to 173 tons.. The WestportStockton Company for the same period shipped 3706 tons. The Jubilee of the Inangahiia County Council occurred during last week. The Hospital Board of that county is asking that £20,000 be placed on the Estimates for the erection of a new hospital of 30 beds. The business agent of the New Zealand Railways has been touring the district in connection with a proposed farmers’ excursion to Canterbury. The Farmers’ Union is taking up the idea with some enthusiasm. Goods traffic through the tunnel for the past week was 7782 tons. The total tonnage hauled during January was 25,282. This is a decrease on the figures for the previous January, and as there has been an upward tendency during the year, the present shrinkage is attributed to the slump in timber and the late starting of mills and mines after the holidays. The Greymouth watersiders have started the usual round of picnics that mark the summer season here by a trip to Hokitika, some 800 or more people enjoying the outing on a glorious day. The director of publicity of the Australian Commonwealth Silver Band, who has been visiting the district, offered some very candid criticism of the local publicity methods and tourist accommodation at a meeting of business men which he addressed. He considers the district very inadequately advertised, and the character of our , hotel accommodation completely out of date. Proper advertising by the people themselves, apart from the Government, and attractive accommodation would, he considers, draw numbers of tourists with whom the cost of a holiday would not count. In reference to the character of the local hotel accommodation, it is stated that a company with a capital of £28,000 has been formed for the purpose. of erecting a palatial hotel on modern lines. An option has been secured over the site of one of the old-established local hotels. Some indignation is felt at an extraordinary omission in a booklet prepared by’ the Government Tourist Department and issued by the Publicity Office. The title of the booklet is “Specimen Tours in New Zealand.” Some 30,006 copies have been issued, and the booklet contains 60 specimens. Westport, Hokitika, Reefton, Arthur’s Pass, and Franz Josef are all included, but the name of Greymouth does not anywhere appear. Greymouth is not the centre for the most popular trips in the district, but it has its attractions. It is also the chief centre in the district, and has the Government Tourist Bureau. That it should have been completely ignored is consequently at least false perspective. The chairman of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, who recently took a round trip from Greymouth via Reefton to Westport and back via the coast route for purposes of comparison, found that the coastal route to Westport would lessen the time on the journey by several hours. The seenery between Westport and Brighton he speaks of as “ indescribably beautiful.” The eaves near the Fox River he says vie with Waitomo. Only one mile and 50 chains of the road remain unformed and three bridges require to bo built. The total cost of completion of the road he estimates at £20,000. A strong and concerted effort is at present being made to induce the Government to complete it. The opening of this road would certainly greatly increase the popularity of the northern part of the district from the tourist point of view. Twenty steamers, with an aggregate tonnage of 11,234, entered the port of Greymouth during the month of January. After a spell of bright weather, torrential rain again deluged the district during the past week. At Greymouth 3Jin of rain fell in 24 hours. A number of washouts are the result on roads’ and railway line.