THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 34

THE WEST COAST.

(From Oub Own CoBBEeronnENT.) August 29. A new coal mine to be worked on the co-operative system is to be opened in the vicinity of the State mines at Rewanui. It lias been given the name of the Golden Ljght colliery. Bins capable of holding 150 tons of coal have been erected during the past week. The mine is reported to have a good seam of coal. A sympathy strike took place recently at the Briandale colliery as a result of which some 30 or 40 men ceased work. The actioji was intended as a protest against tlie dismissal of three inefficient miners. The mining town of Millerton is in a depressed condition. The fire in a portion of the mine, in spite of all efforts to reduce it, appears to be raging still. This is cutting off the best of the coal. The Public Hall was burned down some months ago, and a request for' a loan of £3OOO to build a new one has been refused on the ground that there is little prospect for the town. In connection with the recent dispute at the Cascade mine a conference was held at Westport, and a subsequent meeting of the Denniston Miners’ Union accepted its recommendations. These provide that the men called out will resume at the Cascade mine. One contract will continue, but a second, undertaken while the dispute was proceeding, will be terminated. BLACKBALL MINE. At a conference held between the mine owners and the executive of the Miners’ Union in reference to the position at the Blackball coal mine several alternative proposals were submitted by the representatives of the union and countersuggestions by the directors of the company. No satisfactory agreement was reached, the company being determined either to work only one shift or else close the mine. The union subsequently took a ballot on two alternatives relating to the personnel of the men to be employed. These were either that married men and single men with dependents should have preference of employment or that members should all alike share in the work. The result of the ballot was largely in favour of the former proposal. The union undertakes to support the remaining single men until they can find employment. The mine will probably resume work this week. GOLD DREDGING. A good deal of interest is being shown in the recent development of what has been known as the New Riyer Gold Dredging Company at Dunganville. The interests of that company have been acquired by a new company entitled the Terrace Gold Dredging Company, Ltd. During the past six months the area has been well prospected with very promising results. The new comnany has ordered new dredging machinery, which will be capable of dealing more adequately with the heavy ground. The main shipment is now clue, and it is expected that the dredge will be ready for work in November. It is being purchased at a cost of £lO.OOO. and will be driven by electricity from the Grey Power Board’s supply. PERSONAL. The Greymouth Harbour Board has suffered a severe loss through the resignation of Mr Jesse Steer. Mr Steer has been for many years one of the leading business men of the town, and is possessed of exceptional business ability. He became a member <Tf the Harbour Board 15 years ago, and two years later was elected its chairman in succession to the late Sir Arthur Guinness. This position he held until the last election, when the voting for the chairmanship was even between him and the present chairman, the issue being then decided by lot. Through all his years of office Mr Steer was an enterprising and enthusiastic member of the board and most influential in directing the flairs of the port. His resignation has been largely determined 4 by domestic affairs, his family having removed to Christchurch and he spending a good deal of his time there. - Dr W. M'Kay, one of the leading medical men in Greymouth, has retired from the active work of his profession. For the past 23 years he has been medical officer to the Loyal Greymouth Lodge of Oddfellows, and the lodge at a large meeting of its members held during the week tendered him a formal farewell and made him a handsome presentation. Members spoke in high appreciation of the faithful services rendered by the doctor. The president and secretary of the Greymouth branch of the Plunket Society and the .president of the Hokitika branch are on a visit to Wellington attending the biennial conference of the society. Mr J. Thomas, of the Greymouth Railway Workshops, who has been transferred to Rotorua, was farewelled by his fellowworkmen. by the Cobden Cricket Club, and by the. West Coast Rugby League, in each case being presented with valuable gifts. JOTTINGS. The unemployment position is at present acute in Greymouth. The Borough Council is contemplating the provision of a dosshouse where men out of work and homeless may find accommodation. It is asking the Loans Board to exnedite its sanction to the loan for the relief of the unemployed. The amount of goods conveyed through the Otira tunnel during the week totalled 10,335 tons, as compared with 10,695 tons for the*corresponding week of last year. A special excursion train, organised by the West Coast Rugby League Centre to enable enthusiasts to witness the North v. South game in Christchurch, carried 700 passengers, the accommodation being fully taxed.

The Hokitika Borough Council at the close of its ordinary meeting during the week held a function at which a number of citizens were present to celebrate its diamond jubilee. A number of old councillors were present, the oldest being Mr W. A. Thompson, whose memory went back to the earliest days. Mr T. E* Y. Seddon, MJP.. member for the district’ came from Wellington to attend the celebration. A minute was by resolution entered in the minute book recording the

meeting and the names of the old councillors present.

Heavy rain has fallen during the week, for one period of 24 hours the fall rec°rat. Greymouth was 104 points. At Otira it was 5.38 in. There has been a heavy flood in the Grey River, and several steamers have been bar-bound, lliree vessels which attempted the bar bumped heavily, though without apparent damage. 'J-’he ’Vestland Competitions Society held its third annual festival last week, when there was a fresh record in the number ot entries and in the attendance of the public. tv 1 - he annual meeting of the Kumara iJairy r actory Company showed its affairs to be m a satisfactory condition. The proceeds from the sale of butter during the year were £lOB5 in advance of the previous year. lhe new hostel at Wehaka for the accommodation of visitors to Fox Glacier is nearing completion, and will probably be opened in November. It is a twostorey building over 100 ft in length and with 45 rooms, thus supplying accommodation for fully 50 people. It is ideally situated at the foot of bush-covered hills and overlooked by Mount Cook and with an extenive view pf the Cook’s River \ alley.