THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 34

THE WEST COAST.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) August 3. Negotiations which have been in pro”ress for some time for the development Gf the coalfields at Caplcston. near Reelton. have been practically concluded. An option has been seemed by an Auckland investor over an adjoining property, and a company will be formed to develop the field on a large scale. There are three coal seams, one of which is 18ft thick, and the other two 10ft each. The coal is of good clean quality, bituminous, and free from ash. Au increase of 2s per ton in the wholesale price of coal has been decid 'd upon by the Westport and Westport-Stockton Companies and by the Reefton companies. The increase is said to have become necessary on account of the lack of demand for slack and the poor sale of nuts. It is stated that the cost of repairing the damage to the Dobson mine caused by the late explosion has amounted to £15.000. After being closed for 37 years the Wallsend coal mine, belonging to the Brunner Collieries (Ltd.) is expected to resume its output of coal very soon. Its coal in former days had a reputation for its steaming and gas producing properties. The advent of electric power has recently facilitated the work of pumping the mine, and work is now being concentrated on getting it into working order.

Surveys are being made for a tramway line to"connect the Boatman's coalfield with the railway at Cronadun. It is expected that within three months the line will be completed, when a larger number of men will be employed and the field developed on a more extensive scale. SAWMILLING. An encouraging change has taken place in the timber outlook in the Inangaliua district. One mill is cutting white pine at the rate of 200,000 ft per month, and has sufficient orders on hand to keep it working at full capacity for the next two years. Three other mills in the same district are working full handed, but one is still closed. In other places there is little improvement in the position. The Diggers’ Sawmill ha.s during the past week been compelled to close, throwing 20 men, mostly married, out of work. Some of the unemployed sawmill hands have taken to fossicking in old gold mine workings. Others are proposing to prospect in the back country during the spring, unless adequate relief is forthcoming. GREYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL. The finances of the Greymouth Borough Council have suffered through the introduction of electric lighting, and before they have been adjusted the ratepayers will probably find that they are paying as much for light under the new system as they were under the old. At the last meeting of the council a report showed that the decrease in revenue from the gasworks as a result of the installation of electricity was about £2OOO for • the current year. The transition involved an I additional outlay of £2OOO, and the sav-

ing in coal aud labour represented £lOOO, so that the deficiency was £3OOO. The rates will not be increased this year, but an increase will be. necessary next year. The council’s receipts for rates are about £13,000 annually, but one-third of this amount is paid out as a hospital levy. The engineer’s estimate for carrying out a sewerage system in the suburb of Blaketown is £15,917. A proposal to borrow £2OOO, which will carry a Government subsidy, for providing work for the unemployed ivas pro? visionally approved by the council, and a committee was appointed to report to the next meeting. Considerable activity is being shown by the council in demolishing old and unsightly buildings, and the town should soon present a cleaner and more modern appearance. WESTLAND RACING CLUB. The Westland Racing Club during the off season has been making considerable improvements to its course at Hokitika. The straight has been widened by about 9ft and the surface turfed. Later oil the fences will be moved back and a new area brought into the main course. When the alterations are completed it is claimed that the straight will be one of the best finishing courses in the Dominion. . JOTTINGS. The plant and buildings of the Waitaha Daily Company, which recent]' - went into liquidation, were sold for £250. The purchasers have formed a new company, with a capital of £lOOO, and will carry on during the coming season, most of the settiers having promised their support. The telephone system at Greymouth was changed over during the week to the new switchboard. The new system, which is right up to date, will result in an improved service, the need of which has been long felt, and is expected to meet all requirements for the next 10 years. Mu J. A. Carrell, who has been railway guard at Otira for the past five years, has been transferred to Springfield. A farewell social was tendered to him, and a presentation made. Several improvements are being made in the Buller Gorge road. A concrete wall and steel railing have been erected at Hawke’s Crag, which is a dangerous point. Similar safeguards are being placed at Spitz Bluff. A new bridge is 1 to be erected also in the gorge. Another good week’s traffic passed through the tunnel, the amount of coal, timber, and general freight amounting to ; 11.457 tons.

New engines are to arrive next month for the auxiliary keteli Elsie, which is at present being overhauled at Picton. With lhe new machinery the vessel will have more power. She will also have increased carrying capacity, and be able to convey live stock from the South Westland ports. A boring plant for the Clutha Development Company is being erected on the Banytown Elat. The company has secured 400 acres of land, and will put down a number of bores witii a view, should prospects warrant it. of installing a gold dredge. The prospecting will probably occupy several months. The Bariytown Flat was at one time one of the richest alluvial goldfields in this district. For a number of years good returns were won by the Waiwhero Gold Mining Company. The locality was, however, very inaccessible, and the cost of transporting machinery for development of the field was prohibitive. The formation of the Coast road from Greymouth has now, however, completely altered the c, nditions, a good toad round the Ten-mile Bluff affording easy access for heavy traffic. The result of this new venture will be awaited witii interest.