THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 34

THE WEST COAST.

(From Oub Own Cobbbf.pondknt.) September 26. There are .evidences of a probable improvement in the general condition of the timber industry throughout the district. There is an increase in the price of white pine, and an air of increased activity prevails. It is reported that the Stuart and Chapman mill at Ross, which is one of the largest on the Coast, and which has - been closed down for some considerable time, is about to resume work. Millers generally consider that the outlook is more hopeful. The replacing of rimu on the Australian market since the embargo was lifted is proving a very difficult matter. In spite of heavy duties imposed on foreign timbers, it has so far proved almost impossible to secure a demand for red pine in payable quantities. Local opinion favours a publicity campaign to call attention to the New Zealand article. BULLER GORGE RAILWAY. The Public Works Department is showing evidence of an intention to prosecute the work of the Buller Gorge Railway more resolutely. Two camps have been established. At the more important of these, at the Twelve Nlile, in addition to the erection of a number' of houses and huts for married and single men, a recreation hall is to be provided. This will _be built by the department and furnished by the Y.M.C.A. A public school has also been erected by the department, and the teacher will be provided by the Education Board. About 150 men are at present employed, and the railway, will be pushed on as money is available. One contract .for rock cutting has been let privately. PERSONAL. Captain W. Strahan, senior signalman to the Greymouth Harbour Board, has resigned that position after 19 years’ service. He is 76 years of age, and had 46 years’ experience as a seaman before assuming the position of signalman. The Rev. J. A. Jermyn was inducted during the week as vicar of Holy Trinity Church parish by Bishop Sadlier, of Nelson. At a meeting of the board of managers of the Westport Technical High School reference was made to the tragic death of Mr S. J. Atkinson, who recently lost his life as the result of a motor accident in the Buller Gorge. Mr Atkinson had been continuously a member of the board since the establishment of the school. A record of his services was placed on the minutes, and a resolution of condolence passed. Mr H. A. Wild, collector of Customs at Greymouth, has been transferred to Auckland. He was accorded a farewell by a gathering of representative citizens. Handsome presentations were made on behalf of those present and by the local Golf Club. Similar recognition was made at Westport of the services of Mr K. Smyth, who succeeds Mr Wild at Greymouth. ITEMS. Owing to the heavy weather at Greymouth interfering with shipping, the traffic through the Otira tunnel during the past week has been exceptionally heavy. A total tonnage of 10,500 was recorded for the first five days of the week. The total for the week was 12,290 tons, compared with 9789 tons for the corresponding period of last year, and 9456 for 1926. The annual report of the Grey Acclimatisation Society shows that the receipts for the year ended March 31 were £434 and the expenditure £349. There was an increase in the amount received for fishing and game licenses and a decrease in the opossum revenue. The fire which- recently destroyed the warehouse of Messrs D. M’Lean and Co. in Greymouth was one of the most serious that has been experienced for many years. Pending rebuilding, the firm’s business will be carried on in Messrs Harley and Co.’s premises. The Greymouth Progress League extended an invitation to the Tasman flyers to visit this district, which, however, was regretfully declined. The British Empire Forestry delegation are to visit the district during October. Arrangements are being made for their visiting the South Westland glaciers. As part of their official duties they will inspect the Woodstock forestry nursery. They will return via Reefton and Nelson. Thirty-two of the unemployed miners from Blackball have been given work on road construction between Blackball and Brunner. About a mile and a-half of the road remains to be done, and a reliable outlet will then be provided from the settlement in the event of any recurrence of the interference of communication by way of the Ngahere bridge. At a meeting held at Hokitika under the auspice? of the Westland Acclimatisation Society to discuss, the opossum industry, Dr Cockayne expressed the. opinion that the animals were practically harmless. Reports of their destructiveness to birds and eggs were without foundation according to the investigations of an officer of the Forestry Department. The conservator of State forests thought that nothing could be gained by a close season, though as the animals are getting into the back country, closing the low- lands might be helpful. Poaching was reported to be prevalent. The news received of a projected substantial reduction in the, prices of Australian coal imported into the Dominion is disturbing the minds of coal owners. Already the co-operative miners are underselling the mines by 7s per ton, and tribute mining is upsetting the principle of unionism, and now the keener competition of imported coal will, it is feared, have a serious effect on the coal production of the Dominion.

For the second time since Christmas the Millerton mine this week had a full fortnight’s pay, and from the -wages levies had to be deducted.

The week throughout the district has again been wet and stormy. September has been the wettest month of the year. At Hokitika only one day has been without rain. At Greymouth the heaviest rain of the year has fallen during 'the past week. All rivers have been well, scoured. At Greymouth a depth of 26ft has been reported on the bar. No damage has been reported up country. At Blackball the piers of the bridge were badly scoured, but protective works saved them from carrying away. The record rainfall was

again at Otira, where for one period of 24 hours 5.24 in • fell. The rainfall at that settlement for the 25 days of September has been 41in.