THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 34

THE WEST COAST.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) August 17. Tn connection with the projected celebration of the jubilee of Greymouth next February, the Minister of Defence has promised that if possible arrangements will be made for the visit of a warship. The Minister of Railways has promised to favourably consider the issue of holiday excursion tickets to old identities and their relatives. COAL. The Dobson mine is now producing coal at the rate of 300 tons per day, which is equal to that produced before the explosion. The coal already proved will, it is said, keep the mine employed for the next half-century, and the field is not yet fully explored. A fair proportion of the coal from this mine is being taken by the Railway Department. Several men who were employed in the mine before the disaster are being charged with having smoking apparatus with them in the workings. The State mine was again idle one day on account of full bins. JOTTINGS. The exports from the port of Greymouth for a period of four weeks up till July 23 included 14.735 tons of coal and 2.179,244 ft of timber. At the next meeting of the Westland County Council the question will be considered of advocating the formation of a new stock route between Lower Wataroa and Evans Creek. It will be proposed that the scheme be financed by the transfer of some grants already made, and a supplementary grant of £350. The advantages claimed for the new route are that it will be more direct, and will be clear of all motor traffic, besides affording better grazing and camping conditions.

The Rewanui School was destroyed by fire during the week. At a meeting of the Grey Power Board the Chairman called attention to the straitened condition of the finances. Dur. ing four months the loss had been £639. The loss during the 12 months ending last March was £6264. The indications are that at the end of the current financial year the overdraft will be £96SI, and the board is only allowed an overdraft of £lO,OOO. The strictest economy will therefore be necessary to avoid having to call on the ratepayers. The electrical suction dredge which is to be built for use in connection with the Greymouth Harbour improvement scheme will be 80ft in length with 29ft beam. It will be made of Australian hardwood and rimu. It will be capable of digging from 4ft to 12ft below water. About 800,000 cubit feet of spoil have to be removed from the lagoon, and will be used in reclaiming Harbour Board reserves. The power, 400 volts, will be supplied by the Grey Power Board. The dredge is to be ready within 12 months of the acceptance of the tender. The worst thunderstorm experienced for many years visited Westport and Cape Foulwind last week. The schoolhouse at Cape Foulwind was destroyed, and several other buildings damaged. The .annual meeting of the West Coast Agricultural and Industrial Association will be held next week. The report which will be presented indicates that in spite of unfavourable weather at the last two shows the association is making good headway. The total-income last year was £792.

The opossum season in the district has been good. With still a month to go over 7000 skins have already been stamped, and the bulk of the returns are not yet in. Most of the skins have been obtained in the back country, which provides the best quality. Reports are circulated to the effect that in the southern part of the district several recent discoveries are likely to result in important mineral development.

There are indications that considerable demand for electric power will be made on the Westland Power. Ltd. Electricity will probably be introduced into the sawmilling and flaxdressing industries, and other industries will be stimulated by the

new facilities. Power is expected to be available from the first station early in the new year. At the last meeting of the Westland County Council the suggestion was made that the Government’s efforts to relieve unemployment might profitably be turned into the direction of flax planting, which would recoup the outlay in a few years. The opinion was expressed that the forest service might also give attention to this industry, and in the course of discussion the Government’s system of tree planting was severely criticised. After huge expenditure the work was only in an experimental stage, and could not be profitable for a very long time. Some of the loss might be retrieved by flax growing. The Westland Competitions will be held this week. They usually occupy three days, but in consequence of a larger entry than usual they will this year be extended to four days, with a final demonstration concert.

The Westland Wood Pulp and Paper Syndicate, Ltd., which was formed for the purpose of developing a pulp and paper industry in the Grey district, is negotiating for the services of an overseas expert, who is expected to arrive within a few months. The Murchison oil bore is now down to a depth of 2915 ft, and'is penetrating an oily stratum. The director in charge is very hopeful of early success. An effort is being made to have the borough of Kumara brought within the district of the Westland Power Board, which will supply electricity from the recently purchased water r aces. ’Fhe 10 railway cottages which are being built at Karoro, orr the outskirts of Greymouth, are nearing completion, and will soon be ready for occupation. They are comfortable houses, containing three bedrooms, a sitting room, and kitchen, with bathroom, coal shed, and wash-house. Electric light will be installed, with a hot point for ironing. The work of laying the concrete foundations for the new Technical School Hostel at Greymouth is progressing. In seeming a solid foundation for the chimneys it was found necessary to sink from 17ft to 24ft. The hostel will be healthily situated, and will command a pleasant view of the hills and sea.

It is reported that the whole of the employees in the new Big River Gold Mining Company’s mine, near Reefton. have been paid off. A week of wintry weather’ has been experienced, with an unusually low temperature and snow on the near r anges.