WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16907, 5 December 1922, Page 9

WEST COAST NEWS.

(Special to the “ Star.”) GREYMOTJTH, December 4. HOSITJON AT BLACKBALL. An unfortunate position has developed at Blackball. o.nd as a result it appears that ninety men—who arc supporting their families and oil dependents—are not availing thenVelves of the opportunity of employment offered by tin* Coal Company. The directors and management, after a conference, decided, to resume- work in the No. 1 section of the mine, and a list of names was drawn up. It was possible to find work for only ninety men, and therefore the company gave preference to those men who had dependents. The list was posted yesterday and work was to be started to-morrow morning. However. the union is apparently not satisfied with this preference system, and desires that all men he given a chance of selection L*: is understood that a meeting of the union was held yesterday, vhen it was decided to await the arrival of the 1 ndor-Secretar.v of Alines before any of the men resumed work. Consequently ninety men who could hove obtained employment have not accepted it. The deadlock is most regrettable, and it is possible that in view of the unappreciative attitude taken up by the union, the directors of the company will withdraw their offer to reopen the No. 1 section ol the mine. Blackball is being gradually deserted Altogether seventy men. married and single are reported to have left the piace. About forty left by train on Saturday and twenty to-day, and therj is a likelihood of many more leaving iu the near future. The Undersecretary of the Alines Department (AhA. H. Kim bell) will arrive in Greysnouth to-morrow evening to make the best arrangement possible to find employment for the men who are out of work on account of the. lire at Blackball. SUG A R SHORTAGE. Some relief in the present sugai shortage will be afforded soon. According to telegraphed advice received by Alessrs Duncan Af’Lean to-day from tho Board of Trade, tli-o board has arranged for a boat to leave Onehunga at the end of the week for Greymoufch direct. LAAYN TENNIS. At a meeting of the Westport Tennis Club, held last week, it was decided to hold the West Coast Tennis Championship meeting at AYestport on AYedr.esday, Thursday and Friday, January 24, 25 and 26 next. Air T. E. Maunsell was appointed umpire for tho tournament and the general committee of tho club was elected a. tournament cc mmittce. V IT A L ST AT T ST l C S. No fewer than twenty-two births were registered in Grevmouth for the month of November. There wore three marriages, and the deaths numbered eleven. COAL EXPORTS. There were 7156 tons 4cwt of coal exported from Port Greymoutli last week. A POPULAR SISTER. After labouring devotedly for several years in accordance with the best Ira ditions of her profession. Sister Alary Delaney lias left to join the staff of the Lewisham Hospital in Sydney. That kindness does not always go unrewarded was demonstrated in tho warm-hearted manner in which the hospital staff and patients bade hi r farewell. AJedical-Supei'intendent Lovell-Gregg, who, on behalf of the doctors and nursing staff, presented Sister Delaney with a .solid leather case, eulogised her good qualities, and said that during his term of office she had carried out her duties to the utmost satisfaction of all concerned. A iatron Kit to fully endorsed these remarks and expressed her great- persona] admiration of Sister Delaney’s remarkable efficiency and her many other charming qualities. The appreciation of tl%e departing Sister’s colleagues was eloquently expressed by Sister Braidwood, who declared that Sister Delaney was a friend of the patients and staff, and all with whom she qaiue in contact. All the speakers expressed the hope that lister Deli: nev’s future career would bear out the promises of her past career. On behalf of the domestic staff and porters. Aliss Nellie AYalshe presented Sister Delaney with a writing rase and prayer-book. A substantial cheque was also subscribed by tin* inmates of the Old People’s Home, in recognition of the- kindly interest Sister Delaney lied always taken in their welfare. To these expressions of goodwill Sifter Delaney made a feeling response, and expressed the wish that she would he spared to visit her friends on the Coast oat many future occasions. A NEW STEAMER. The AYestland Shipping Company’s steamer Tees (750 tons register), which is to trade between Greymoutli and other New Zealand ports. Chatham Islands included, leaves Glasgow on December 18 for Grevmouth direct, with a cargo fof the West Coast. The Westland Shipping Company, Ltd.. was formed about three months ago at Greymoutli. The Ices is in command oi Captain A. Dowell, who went Home to bring out tho vessel for the company. with his brother, Captain Dowell, as chief mate. The majority

oi the shares in the company are held j at Grey mo utli. and some at the Chat- i bam Islands. It is intended to eon- I duct a weekly service between Grey- \ mouth and Wellington, and a.n agree- j nient entered into provides for eight : trips per sjnnum to the Chatham j Islands. The Tees was built in 1911.