WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18900, 26 October 1929, Page 13

WEST COAST NEWS.

HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS. (Special to the “ Star.”) GREYMOUTH, October 25. With brilliant sunshine in evidence and weather conditions apparently settled, the prospects for an enjoyable week-end are bright. There will be no lack of entertainment offering to West Coasters and visitors during the next few days. A large . influx of East Coasters is expected to-morrow, when special train is due from Christchurch at noon. This train will leave on the return trip to Christchurch on Monday. In addition to other outings, visitors will be given an opportunity to inspect the earthquake area by means of a railway excursion to Inangahua Junction with a car service to Westport and Lyell. Another excursion will be that conducted by car to Westport via the Coast road. EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE. Approximately one hundred workmen are engaged in repairing ravages on the road to Lyell caused by the earthquake on June 17 and excellent progress is being made with the work of reconstruction. “They are getting on very well indeed,” said the District Engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr T. A. Johnston), who returned from the Lyell district yesterday. The one hundred men referred to arc working on 18 miles of road in the Westland district. The total length of the road between Inangahua Junction and Murchison is thirty-four miles. Work is also proceeding energetically on the sixteen miles of road which are in the Nelson district. The total of men employed is thus considerably increased. Referring to the Main South Road, Mr Johnston said that during his visit to South Westland last week, he found the surface in excellent condition for motorists. TIMBER ROYALTIES. In a letter to the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, the Commissioner of State Forests writes: “As the result of a careful review of the whole subject of royalty rates on posts, poles etc., I have instructed that a substantial reduction be made in the prices so fat as the produce from State forests is concerned. The reductions in certain localities amount to as much as twenty per cent off existing rates and I trust you will regard this action as a sincere endeavour on the part of the Government to assist sawmiilers and timber workers generally to overcome the present difficulties with which they are contending. TUNNEL TRAFFIC. The amount of coal, timber and general merchandise transported through the Otira Tunnel during the week ending to-morrow is 10,430 tons as compared with 0.452 tons in 1928. and 8,433 in 1927. This week's figure is slightly lower than any of weekly totals for some months. PORT RETURNS. The returns for the four-weekly period ended October 12 show that 28,048 tons of coal were exported from the port of Greymouth as compared with 21,288 tons for the corresponding period last year. So far the export of coal this year totals 129,237 tons, an increase of 43,433 tons upon the figures at the same stage last year. During the four weeks prior to October 10, the timber shipped from Greymouth, measured 3,293,600 super feet, bringing the total for the year to 22,003,600 super feet, which is an increase of 624,638 super feet on the shipments made by that date twelve months ago. A SERIOUS CHARGE. Appearing before Mr W. Meldrum.i S.M., at the Greymouth Court today Thomas Maloney, aged 20, was remanded until October 29, on a charge that at Westport he had unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of 16 years. THE BATHS. Delegates from the West Coast Swimming Centre and members of the Greymouth Borough Council paid a visit last evening to the municipal baths, where the problem of providing extra seating accommodation was discussed. It was decided to shift the southern fence back ten feet and shift the centre dressing cubicles to the end of the baths. After this has been done, additional seating will be erected to accommodate, approximately, 1000 people.

This morning, the Centre itwiwd definite advice from the New Zealand Council that the Australian swimmers, Grier and Ryan, would appear on the Coast. The exact date is not yet fixed, but the visit will be made in Christmas week. The men will probably appear at Hokitika, Runanga and Westport. ATHLETICS. The Greymouth Technical School’s annual cross-country run was held this morning over the usual course, from the school to Hudd’s Lane past Karoro, over the small bog to the beach, up the beach to the road behind the Grey Hospital and up High Street, finishing at the school. In the senior event, a big field took part. Laurence Wilson winning the race easily in 15mm 24 2-5 sec. The second and third men were W. Weir and R. Shuttleworth. Wilson won the senior event last year, and today broke his own record. The junior run over the same course was wen by Jack Weir in lfimin 35sec, with J. Clarke and W. Boucher second and third. The run is just aver two nto and considering the wind and the heavy nature of the course, the final are creditable. BOY INJURED. While training over hurdftw in the school grounds yesterday, W. W. Allwork crashed, breaking a bar. A splinter entered one of his thighs. The boy received treatment at the Gray Hospital, and he was able to return home. BOWLING. At a meeting of the Reef ton Bowling Club, the resignation of Mr J. F. Sea. wright as secretary and treasmar, on account of his leaving for Melbourne on bolidav, was accepted with regret. The Rev H. O. Briekland accepted the position of secretary and treasurer. Mr C. Nevin was appointed auditor, vice Mr A. E. Werry, who has left tha d»trict. PERSONAL. The Mayor of Geymouth. Mr J. W. Greenslade, lias entered Lewisham Hospital, Christchurch, for treatment. Mr I. A. James, Superintendent of the State Mine, returned to Greymouth yesterdav from Wellington. Mr J. Dolph, of Christchuych, w* arrive to-morrow on a visit to his mother, Mrs M. Dolph. Mrs P. J. M’Carthy arrived from Auckland yesterday on a visit to her son, Mr W. P. M’Carthy. Word has been received from the Trinity College of Music, London, that Miss Mary Bald, a pupil of the Sisters of Mercy. Greymouth, has been awarded the diploma of fellowship in solo singing. The chief officer of the stranded Kao 1 hika, Mr C. Angus, is a son of Captain ’ Angus, of Greymouth. -The death took place at Reefton Hospital on Wednesday of Mrs Mary Ann Corby, who for a considerable time had been a resident of Grey Road, Reefton. She was a native of County Cork, and was 68 years of age. She was predeceased by her husband anvil years ago. She arrived in the Dominion fifty years ago.