WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18926, 23 November 1929, Page 13

WEST COAST NEWS.

MINER* INJURED BY FALL OF ROCK. ' (Special to the “ Star.") GREYMOUTH, November 22. A miner, James Hughes, employed at the James Mine, Rapahoe, received severe injuries yesterday when a fall of stone occurred from the roof in his working place. He was extricated as soon as possible and conveyed to the Grey Hospital. It was discovered that his injuries included a broken leg and a compound fracture of the arm. Hughes is middle-aged and a widower. He resides at Dunollie. His condition is as satisfactory as can be expected. ACCIDENTS TO TIMBER WORKERS. The hazardous nature of the employment in which timber workers engage has been demonstrated lately by the number of accidents. While stacking timber at Ruru. O. Olsen had. his leg crushed: N. Willis sustained injuries to one of his fingers - .* C. Campbell, of Bell Hill, was injured through being struck with a trolley while preceeding to his work; P. Rochford sustained injuries through a log rolling on him; J. Beardsley, of Tekinga, suffered a broken hand and facial injuries through being struck by a sapling while working in the bust at Hohonu, G. Grooby, who was seriously injured at Bell Ilill last week, has shown a little Improvement. BIG TONNAGE THROUGH OTIRA. The total of 9250 tons of freight that passed through the Otira tunnel to Canterbury last week was considerably- more than for a long time past This week total, rose to 11,291 tons, an increase of 535 tons over the figure for the corresponding week last year. SLIPS BLOCK ROAD. Owing to extensive slips on the main coastal highway, the road between Punakaiki and the Fox River is blocked to traffic. Men are being put on to clear the obstructions. FEW TENDERS FOR BRIDGE WORKS. The time for receipt of tenders for the construction of the new bridge over Canoe creek between Barrytown and Punakaiki expired to-day, but only one tender was received bv the Grey County Council. The next step will be its submission to the Main Highways Board for approval. Six tenders were received for the supply of hardwood for bridges on the coastal route and these will be submitted to the board. A noticeable feature recently has been the paucity of tenders for various works. It is understood that good money can be made on such contracts. One theory to account for the lack of competition is that workers are not, keen on accepting jobs which involve i camping out more or less in the backblocks. Within the next three or four months the Grey County Council will invite tenders for. the construction of ten bridges, involving approximately £12,000, in various parts of the Gfev County. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. Some 200 men, who registered as unemployed, are now engaged on roadwork in the Lyell district. Most of them went there from Christchurch. The majority of the unemployed on the Coast were found a similar occupation m South Westland. Work will be available Shortly i„ the Karamea district for about 250 men.