THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3911, 26 February 1929, Page 34

THE WEST COAST.

(Fbom Our, Own Correspondent.) COAL MINES. . February 20. The State mines have again been working only intermittently during the week. An analysis of the records of the past year shows that there was only one fortnight during which the Liverpool mine worked full time. Apart from holidays and stoppages caused by the miners themselves, 57 days were lost. For the wliole year 180% days were worked. Since the beginning of this year there has not yet been a full fortnight worked. In spite of the intermittent character of the work at the mines, there are at present 5000 tons of coal stored at Rewanui. Ihe Greymouth Chamber of Commerce is not disposed to accept the decision of the Minister of Mines in reference to the differentiation in railage charges between the Reefton and the Grey Valley coals. I* urther representation has been made pointing out that no complaint is made about ihe classification of the coal from these respective districts, and requesting that Grey coal of equal calorific value to Reefton coal be carried at the same charge. GENERAL. . At a meeting of the Grey Acclimatisation Society a request from a number of opossum trappers to have the season extended to three months on account of unfavourable weather was declined, as the Westland society had decided to limit it to two. It was decided to co-operate this year with the Westland society on similar terms to last year m relation to the Kanieri hatchery. Last year’s operations were considered eminently satisfactory. It was decided to take initial steps with a view to the introduction to the district of quail, Canadian geese, and pheasants. The Railway Department has agreed, at the request of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, to reserve a number of seats on the Christchurch-Greymouth express for passengers by the Wellington ferry boat who are booked through to the West Coast. This will be a great boon especially to mothers who are travelling with children.

The amount of traffic carried through the Otira tunnel for the past week was 11,419 tons. The tonnage for the corresponding week of last year was 10,040, and for 1927 6780.

At the last meeting of the Grey County Council the engineer’s report indicated that a surprising amount of work is being carried on in various parts of the county. Over 150 men are at present employed on road and bridge work, Six-bridges are in course of construction, and a great deal of work is being done in the formation of new roads and the improvement of old ones.

At a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council a committee was appointed to ascertain whether proper value was being received for the money being spent on borough works put in hand for the relief of unemployment. Inexperienced men had necessarily been put on jobs, and ratepayers had in some instances questioned the wisdom of committing important town improvement to casual labour of this description. No fault is necessarily found with the men, but some of them are simply not au fait at the work allotted them. The number of visitors to the Maruia Springs this season has been larger than usual, the limited accommodation being fully taken up. The curative properties of the springs are well known. On the occasion of the recent visit of the Minister of Mines, the Reefton Progress League tock advantage of the popularity of the s. rings to give point to a request for the completion of the road over the Lewis Saddle to Canterbury; and has since asked the Greymouth League to cooperate with it in urging this work. The road would pass through Maruia, and to that point from Reefton—a distance of 40 miles —the road is already fit for motor traffic. The grade over the saddle is an easy one, and the whole distance from Reefton to Christchurch is less than the present railway mileage, via Otira tunnel. As far as this district is conconcerned, however, there are many other roads of more immediate importance, and it is not likely that any action will be t ken by the Government, however desirable the proposal may be from a sentimental standpoint. A Fire Brigade Conference and demonstration is to be held at Hokitika this week. A full week’s programme has been arranged, two days being devoted to the conference and three to demonstrations; while on one day a picnic will be held at Lake Mahinapua. Various functions have also been organised for the entertainment of the members in the evenings. Over 400 visitors are expected to be present representing fire brigades from various parts of the Dominion. From the Harihari and Wataroa districts in South Westland 8000 lambs have this -eason been forwarded to Addington, and a large number have still to be consigned before the end of this month.

From the four weeks ended on February 2, amongst filie exports from Grevmouth were 1,919,725 ft of timber and 8788 tons of coal. The State mines exported 3231 tons, Blackball 2238,. and Dobson 2055.

The chairman of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce has been, in correspondence with the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the subject of the preservation of scenic ' reserves along the route of the Greyrnouth-Westport Coast road. He is intimately acquainted with the country, and has been able to make some very practical suggestions. Much of the land sdjacent to the road is too broken for farming, and only in isolated instances has the scenery been marred by clearing. The road traverses some magnificent country. The land first sighted by Tasman is on this portion of Ihe coast, and one of the chairman’s suggestions is that some reserve should be made to commemorate this fact.

Notwithstanding the conlrete.inps which occurred In couocction with the contemplated ewnmereisl trip to Hie district in March, Users appears to be a probability that It may still take place at a later date. In the meantime another trip of a aomewhat similar character is proposed, viz., a Canterbury farmers’ tour

of Marlborough, Nelson, and the northerij part of this district, the return being made via the Otira tunnel. The tour is to occupy eight days only, so that there will probablv not be time for a visit to the southern part of the district.