THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 34

THE WEST COAST.

(Fbom Our Owx Correspondent.) July 27. Work is about to be resumed at the Clydevale Company’s coal mine, where ■what is apparently a valuable and extensive field has been discovered. This company began operations on a promising field of coal, but it proved to be only a pocket. The haulage system had therefore to be extended to a position where there were farther indications. Prospecting was in the meantime thoroughly carried on. with the result that this new s?am has been struck—a seam 811 thick, and estimated to contain 50,000 tons of coal of a highly payable character. Stone dusting, as a precaution against explosions, is being carried out in the State coal mines. The material being used is powdered lime from Ross. It is thrown from tins, and is carried by air currents on to the walls of drives and working places. It is claimed that in the event of an explosion the effects will be localised.

Last week the coal trade at Westport was very depressed, the whole week passing without any shipments of coal. The outlook, this week is much improved there having been several steamers loading. Wednesday of last week was a redletter day in the history of the Westport coal trade. Amid great interest on the part of the citizens, the first rake of coal from the Cascade Coal' Company’s mine arrived in the town. It consisted of 22 wagons, containing approximately 200 tons. The coal had been flumed 74 miles from the mine to the railway siding. and then railed nine miles to Westport, arriving in excellent condition. The Mayor and a number of representative citizens met the train, and congratulatory speeches were made. Determination was expressed to do all possible to complete tile Gorge railway and to dredge and protect tlie harbour. It was stated that during last year 44 overseas vessels had visited the port, mainly for bunkers, and that during the first quarter of this year there had been 13 arrivals. '1 ne highest coal output since the war was last year’s, viz., 600,000 tons. The prewar export had reached 800,000 tons. A public excursion to the Cascade mine, which had been contemplated, was not undertaken, as the line is not yet ready for passenger traffic. The Dobson mine is now employing 100 men on the surface and underground workings. Development work is going on satisfactorily, and it is hoped that in a few weeks the mine will be restored to its normal conditions. In reference to the danger to which the attention of the Government has been recently called of the Teremakau River breaking into a neighbouring stream and so flooding the Grey River, the Minister of Lands has now written to say that after investigation of the position he is satisfied that there is no immediate danger of such a contingency. He considers that a groyne placed at a point where the river overflows its banks in flood times would meet the ease in the meantime, and that as most of the affected lands arc freehold property it is rather the concern of private individuals and local bodies than of his department. A telegraph office is to be opened at the Evans Creek Settlement, in South Westland, and the opening of another at the Kakapotahi Settlement is under consideration. These offices will materially decrease the loneliness and other disabilities under which the settlers live in the southern parts of this district. A new scenic reserve is proposad at a place of historic interest in South Westland. In the early days when the onlymeans of travel up and down the coast was by the Ocean Beach route, the Saltwater Lagoon was a recognised stopping place, affording as it did good feed for horses and fish and fowl for man. The locality’ has been mentioned by Sir Julius Von Haast and the early pioneers. The Minister of Lands now proposes to declare here a scenic reserve of 3330 acres, of which 560 acres will be taken as a State forest reserve. The locality will in future days make a pleasant spot for holiday’ outings, and it affords a fine view of the Southern Alps. The Waitaha Co-operative Dairy Company has gone into liquidation, and the property is to be submitted to auction. Lambs are already making their appearance in the neighbourhood of Hokitika, somewhat earlier than usual.

The Westland Competitions, which are to take place in August, occupying three days, are being patronised by a number of outside competitors. The fiftieth anniversay of St. Stephen’s Church at Reef ton was celebrated during the week. The foundation stone was laid on July 24, 1577, by Bishop Suter. A little welcome activity has been noticeable during the week in the timber industry. Several steamers at Greymouth have been loading timber for Sydney, Melbourne, and Fremantle, and in consequence a large amount of white pine which has been stacked on the Hokitika

quay (some of it for nine months) has been removed. There is no indication, however, of any permanent improvement in the trade. A large number of ex-saw-mill hands are still out of employment, and those who arc at work are receiving only the minimum rate of wages. A good week’s work was done by the Otira tunnel, the amount of traffic carried being 10,430 tons. Miss Maida Topliss, of Greymouth, a girl of 14 years of age. has achieved the unique record of passing with honours every examination in the Trinity’ College of Music, London. This year she passed the practicfH-portion for the diploma of A.T.C.L. In connection with the Greymouth Diamond Jubilee celebrations next February, the Kotuku Sports Club has arranged for four championships to be decided—two world championships and two Dominion championships. Mr E. Mabin, who has been manager of the Greymouth branch of the Bank of New South Wales for the past 15 years, has received notice of his appointment to the management of the Nelson branch. He has been a prominent worker in connection with Trinity- Anglican Church, and will be greatly missed. Good progress is being made by the contractor on the Greymouth-Weetport

coast road. He has constructed a dam to enable him to use water-power on some of the work. The Canterbury farmers in the northern part of their tour visited most places of interest—Punakaiki, the coal mines, and the agricultural district between Greymouth and lieefton. They’ were fortunate in having fine weather almost throughout their trip.