WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 4

WEST COAST NEWS.

CFbow Ovr Cobrespoxdf.xt.) GREA AIOT TH, Januarr 11. A COASTAL ROAD. Aluch to the delight of all West Coasters, the Public Works Department has decided to make a start on the formation of the uncompleted portion of the coastal road from Grey-mont-h to AVestport. The intention is to place forty men on the job. commencing on Afonday morning. Although only five miles have to be completed, the importance of the work may be understood when it is stated that when properly completed this road will mean a saving of fifty miles in the Journey from Greymouth to \A~estporfc. INQUEST. At the Hokitika police station yesterday afternoon, the inquest regarding the death of Robert Henry Halligan was resumed before Air D. J. Evans, coroner. It was stated in evidence that AJ.r Halligan was aged thirty-six. He was a native of Victoria, and was awarded the ALAI, and D.C..AL at the war, the latter being presented by King George. He was also awarded the Al"eritorious Service Medal, which, however, had not. been received. He had not been in good health since ho returned, and suffered from insomnia. Sergeant King related that fie found the body dressed in trousers, braces, shirt, tan boots, singlet, drawers and socks. It had neither a coat nor a hat on. Tho rope by which deceased hanged himself was taken from a tool shed on the Arahura Road and was the property of the Westland County Council. The Coroner returned a verdict of suicide whilst deceased's mind wag temporarily unbalanced. ’[Tie Coroner expressed his sympathv with the widow and familv. RACING TAXATION. The Government taxes paid by the Greymouth Jockey Club in connection with the recent race meeting were : Dividend tax. £1653 14s: totalizator tax, £9lB 14s 6d : stake tax. £283 10s; gates, booth, etc.. £29 11s 2d: amusement tax. £99 4s 3d ; total. £2981 13s lid. BISHOP BRODTE. Bishop Brodie arrived from Christchurch by this evening’s express. His ! visit to the AYest Coast, which is on j private business connected with the administration of tlie diocese, will be , brief, but he will probably remain over j the week-end. MINING APPOIN TAX ENT. After 3£ years as mine man- > ager, and six years general mine mani ager w itli the Blackball Coal Company . | Mr John Watson has been appointed ! superintendent of the Taupm Coal I Mines, Ltd., at Huntly. This in- | -.elves the control of two large mines. ! and the appointment is regarded m ! mining circles as the second highest m ! the country. Air AAatson has had .1. very varied experience, including a • long term in New South Wales and A’ictoria. prior to coining to New Zealand nine and a half years ago. He ha j been an official in the mines for | twenty-four years. graduating from 1 deputy under viewer through the j various grades, until he reached the . status of assistant manager, and finally ! manager. Among the mines in which Air Watson has Judd responsible appointments arc tne Lambton, Burwood. Newcastle. Outram. Cardiff, ami latterly tlie Blackball. Air AVatson. who returned from Christchurch tins evening, is a made of wide experience and deep insight into flic science of mining, and the directors of the company may bo congratulated on tho wisdom of Tiis appointment. SCENIC RESORT. j The praises of Punakaiki. Grey-* 1 mouth’s great scenic resort, are louder j than ever now that its popularity among Coasters and tourists lias 111j creased. A gentleman who has spent | a week there, and who has travelled j America, Canada, England. France, j India, Egypt, Australia and Tas--1 mania, gives his opinion that for variety he has never seen anything to< i compare with it. The rocky country, the glimpse of the tropics with lovely nikau palms, the king of ferns, and the deep sea-fishing are lovely. The streams in parts are up To twenty feet deep. These are as clear as crystal, and fish are floating round as in an aquarium. There are other blowholes on a smaller scale than tlie large one, which lias been a magnificent sight during the last few days, booming like a cannon and sending a- spray up which would drench one in a few minutes at a distance of fifty yards. The caves, in which one could spend a week, are trees, in a fortnight, will be a sight worth going miles to sec. There is no doubt that in a few years tourists will not leave New Zealand without a visit to this wonderful place. OBITUARY. The death occurred at Reefton yesterday morning of a well-known resident, Air John King, who had been suffering for a verc long time Irom miner’s phthisis. He vas a native of Westport, aged fifty-tv o. and had resided in Reefton since he was a child. He leaves a widow and one grown-up daughter. 11 FA RTV SEN D-OFF. Air T. R. Keenan, who lias been transferred from tin* Greymouth Post. Office ro the General Post Office n• : Christchurch, left hv the Otira express to-day. Mr Keenan, who was secretary of the West Coast Rugby League, was met last evening by his friends, «nd presented with a gold-mounted FUNERAL. The funeral of the late .Mrs Calhm took place this morning, being large!v attended. Tfic Railway Dope. -tnien t was represented *>y Air E. Cameron, district traffic manager, and members of the Hibernian Soviet v acted as pallbearers. The Rev Father M’Menagb. celebrated the requiem mass at St Patrick’s Church, and coonducted tho burial service at the Karoro coinetvn.