THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 34

THE WEST COAST.

(From Oub Own Cobberpondent.) September 19. The southern part of this district has been the latest in development, and much is still required to bring it into line with other portions of the district. Little complaint can be made of the Government’s treatment of this province in the matter of public works during the past few years, and special attention has recently been paid to the south, not only because it had previously received comparatively little consideration, but because it is becoming recognised as one of the most promising parts of the province both from an agricultural and pastoral and also from a scenic point of view. During the past year a great deal has been 'done in the improvement of its roads and the erection of bridges, and an active campaign in this direction is still proceeding. Most of the more formidable rivers and streams have now been bridged. One of the larger structures which was washed away is being.replaced. Work is going on at the more imperative of the smaller streams, and before the tourist season is in full swing most of these will have been negotiated. The roads are reported to be in first-class condition. Ample provision exists for the accommodation of visitors at Waiho, and at the Fox Glacier, 18 miles further south, a commodious hostel is approaching completion. The road between Waiho and the Fox Glacier traverses some of_ the most exquisite scenery in New Zealand, commanding in places an extensive view of the Cook River Valley, areas of densely wooded country, and the sea in the distance, while for a background it has the commanding pinnacles of the Southern Alps. Last season 5000 tourists visited Waiho, and with the additional attraction of the Fox Glacier, the easier accessibility afforded by improved roads and bridges, and the excellent motor services provided the popularity of this trip will during the approaching season probably exceed the llist. There are many indications also of the prosperity and prospects of the settlers m the southern district and of its wonderful potentialities. Fat stock, a good lambing season, gold dredging enterprise, dairying development, with the boundless possibilities of the vast areas of timber, bespeak a great future. JOTTINGS. Three fatal motor accidents have occurred in the Builer district within a r> e n T>- wei men I° B t their lives in the Buller River, another was killed at Karamea, and a fourth at the week-end in the same locality. Encouraging reports, are received of the sluicing operations of the Hohonu Diamond Terrace Gold Mining Company, Ltd. lhe mine is at Greenstone, near Kumara. It is said to be working at present on good payable ground, and the results for the past six months are reported to have been The best in the company’s history. Goods traffic carried through the Otira tunnel during the week totalled- 11,085 tons lhe amount for the corresponding i'oor evL 4 St year was and for 1926 6764 tons.

Considerable misgiving is being felt at the condition of the Teremakau bridge, a few miles south of Greymouth. The maintenance of the bridge devolves on the th S e %w Co J? nt X Councils—Grey, Kumara, and Westland. It is one of the longest bridges in the district, being 1120 ft in vr-Ur „ prov , lde , s access to the town of Mitchells and the Teremakau Settlement, and is the means of transport of timber from four large mills to the railway line at Kumara Junction. Two spans of the structure were washed away by a flood 11 years ago. The wear of heavy traffic has so far affected its stability that fears are entertained for its safety in the event of another flood. JLne estimated cost of repairs is £lOOO. a meeting of representatives of the controlling bodies it was decided to ask the Government for a subsidy of 30s to U towards the necessary repairs, and a deputation was appointed to present the case to the Minister. Some 30 of the miners recently disrmssed from the Blackball mine have been offered work by the Public Works Department on the Blackball-Brunner road lhey hayc been offered the option of undertaking contract work, which would probably be more remunerative than the rate of relief work pay. How petrol is introducing easier methods of locomotion is well indicated by the conditions of the miners’ work at .Ngakawau and Granity. Formerly these men to get to their work at Millerton and btockton were obliged to climb a hill a thousand feet high. They are now called tor twice a day by fleet of motor cars and buses, and for a small fare conveyed to and from the mines. In two years’ service the cars have never yet failed to get the men to their work in time. At the last meeting of. the Greymouth Borough Council the question of the unsatisfactory output of coal from the State mine again came under discussion. It was pointed out that while co-operative miners found no difficulty in disposing of their coal, the State mines were frequently idle on account of their bins being full. It was also stated that the Grey Power Board, which was willing to take small coal, the most difficult to get rid of, had been unable to procure it. The irregular working of the mines was causing distress and adversely affecting trade, and it was felt that it was time that the whole working of the State mines was investigated. After some talk about a Royal commission, it was finally decided to ask the two West Coast members of Parliament to confer on the matter, and that the position be reviewed at the next meeting of the Finance Committee with a view to making a protest to the Government against existing Wintry weather conditions have caused a considerable mortality amongst lambs in several parts of the district during the past week or two. Advice has been received by the Grey County Council that the Government has authorised an expenditure of £2500 on the construction of the Moonlight Creek bridge, about which representations have recently been made. Of this amount onehalf will be paid by the county. The bridge will give access to some good pastoral and timber country. . Cold weather has been experienced during the week. There was- a heavy faH of snow at Otira. The Paparoas, near

Greymouth, have been snow covered, and a slight fall has occurred on low levels. Rain caused a heavy current in the Grey River, which served the good purpose of scouring the bar, a depth of 23ft being recorded.