WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17177, 22 October 1923, Page 4

WEST COAST NEWS.

(Special to the “ Star.”) BUILDING BOOM. GREYMOUTH, October 21. It is significant that there is more building going on in Greymouth at the present than at any other time since 1914. There is a boom in building operations and this is obviously a sign of progress, bearing out the hopes of those who believed that the opening of direct rail communication with Canterbury would replace with an era of prosperity the period of isolation the town had endured. In addition to £50,000 worth of building already in hand, a great deal more is contemplated. This estimate is based on reliable information and is exclusive of many comparatively small renovation and repair jobs carried out all over the town. Some big contracts in progress are:—The Greymouth Trotting Club’s new grandstand. Bank of New Zealand, West Coast Co-operative Dairy Company’s factory and Marist Brothers' school. Additions in brick are being made to Arker’s tea rooms, in Mackay Street, and many residences are going up. Projected buildings include the rew offices of the Greymouth County Council, Convent of Mercy and new premises for Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd. It is a difficult matter to find an empty shop in Greymouth at present and an idea of the rents ruling may be gained from the fact that a very small shop in Mawhcra Quay was let for £2 a week. RACEGOERS DELAYED. Only 95 passengers arrived by the special race train from Christchurch which arrived in Greymouth at 12.15 on Saturday, forty minutes behind the schedule time. The number travelling is distinctly disappointing and will make an inroad on the guarantee of the Greymouth Trotting Club, as many passengers who otherwise would have travelled by this train appear to have made the journey in Friday’s horse train.

A delay of an hour was occasioned in the Otira tunnel owing to a defect in the overhead gear. The train could not proceed and the passengers underwent the unique if not altogether pleasant experience of being detained in the tunnel for a period. The trouble was repaired as quickly as possible, and the train proceeded on its way, every attempt being made to make" up lost time. MAGISTRATE'S COURT. “I don’t think this is a case in which I can convict defendant of being a rogue and vagabond,” said Mr W. Meldrum S.M. when Thomas Ward, until the present deadlock a miner at Paparoa, was indicted on a charge in consequence of being found sleeping last night in the porchway of the waterside workers’ hall. Ward pleaded not guilty to the and said that he had walked from Kotuku and had been tired. Replying to tlhe Magistrate defendant stated that since being thrown out of work at the mines he had looked in vain for employment. He had been tramping for a week in search of it and was tired out when he reached the hall. He thought he would get work at the State Mines, where he had friends.” ‘‘Have you any money” asked the Magistrate. “ Yes, I have a shlling,” repied Ward. “That would not carry you far,” said Mr Meldrum. ‘‘Will you go out to the State mine to-day?” “ Yes,” replied the defendant. ‘‘l must have your promise. Will you undertake to leave town to-day?” “Yes.” Accused was discharged. BUSH FIRES CAUSE DAMAGE. Fire, tli© worst terror of the bush, which has raged continually in the wooded areas around Aliaura for over a fortnight, spread last night to a homestead at Matai occupied by Thomas Stubbs, on prox>erty owned by F. Hahn, and completely destroyed tho house, surrounding buildings and fences. Nono of the property was insured and tho damage amounts to about £ISOO. The flames which reached the homestead originated in a small area of bush nearby. Frantic attempts were made to stay their approach, but all efforts were useless against tho raging fury of the fire. Another property was totally destroyed at SI ate y Creek. This was an unoccupied cottage belonging to D. M’lntosh, Ixllo is at present absent from the district. It was situated right in the middle of the burning bush, and tho flames as they enveloped tho place made short work of it. That owner’s experience, however, is not quite so unfortunate as that of Messrs Hahn and Stubbs, as the place was insured for £IOO, and that amount

will cover a great deal of the damage. As yet the fires have not abated and are still raging in different parts of the district, but no serious development is expected. The bush areas affected have no commercial value and no mills have been affected. TRINITY INSTITUTE.

At tho annual meeting of the Trinity Institute last evening M r M. Heinz presided. It was proposed bv Mr J. Winchester and carried unanimously that Mr J. F. Wilson be made a life member. It was proposed and seconded by Mr J. Winchester and Mr T. Hill that Mr Bush be elected president in place of Mr J. F. Wilson (resigned). This was carried with acclamation. A letter was received from the Technical School asking for assistance during fete day. It was moved that the secretary be written to for some indication as to what assistance would bo required. OBITUARY. The death took place at the Grand Hotel. Westport, on Thursday, after an illness extending over eight* rears, of M illiam Todd, licensee of the hotel. Deceased was a native of Otago and was 54 years of age. He was a blacksmith by trade, but was better known as tho proprietor of hotels in Seddonville and later in Westport. He was for many years a member of Mokihinui Masonic Lodge. He leaves a widow and two sons.

The death took place this morning of Mr Robert M’Keag, aged 73. Mr M Keag hail been ill for a brief period only. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, and came to the West Coast direct about eleven years ago. He was twice married and his second wife survives him. He also leaves several children, ore son, Mr Wm M’Keag, living in Christchurch, and others in England, lie had been employed by Mr J. Kyi© for about seven years us a tailor. The funeral takes place on Monday at two o’clock. The death took place on Friday at The Limes private hospital, Christchurch, of Kathleen, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Ring, of Greymouth. Deceased, who was 21 years of age. had been ill for a considerable

time, but was able to make the journey to Christchurch about a fortnight

ago. She underwent an operation yesterday, but death ensued. Sh© leaves her parents, two married sisters in America and two brothers. Tho funeral took place this afternoon at Greymouth.

Deep regret was felt throughout the Grey district that Miss Catherine Moore, second daughter of Mr and Mrs M. Moore, Stillw-ater, had succumbed to a severe illness after lying unconscious in the Grey River Hospital for tho past three weeks. She was only 1(> years of age. The deceased girl, who was born at Brunner, was a general favourite in the neighbourhood of hqjr homo. The illness attacked her somo weeks ago, and Miss Moore’s state was so serious that she had to be removed to tho hospital. Her condition was critical from the first and her death was not unexpected. Many expressions of sympathy have reached tho bereaved family. The funeral will take place at Greymouth on Monday. Mr James O’Gorman, a pioneer of tli© Buller district, died at "Westport this week. Deceased was a native of County Clare, Ireland, where ho was born 87 years figo. He came to Australia in 1858 and followed gold mining at Buchannan’s and Black’s Point. Victoria. He landed in New Zealand in 1861 and followed the gold rushes in OtagOj later drifting to the Coast and following the rushes at Hokitika. He married and settled down at Ross, where he resided for over twenty years, arriving in the Buller district in 1887. Ho worked on the railway construction works between Westport and Cap© Foul wind, eventually going to Denniston, where ho was in. the employ of the "Westport Coal Company fot eighteen years. ITe finally made his home in Westport. He is survived by a widow and three daughters.