WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18985, 3 February 1930, Page 16

WEST COAST NEWS.

KUMARA FINANCES. (Special to the “ Star.") GREYMOUTH. February 2. During the brief visit made by the Minister of Mines to Kumara he met a deputation from the Borough Council. Mr A. B. Spiers said he hoped that the Minister’s visit would result in something being done for the borough, which was passing through a frying time, chiefly' owing to large expenditure incurred in repairing the Taramakau bridge, the responsibility- for which was thrown on the borough. He stated that the work, which had cost about £I2OO, was nearly £3OO over the original estimate, with the result that the Kumara Borough’s portion was over £4OO. The Government had made a grant previously' on account of the work, and a further £2OO was necessary to enable the borough to meet its liability. The Minister was sympathetic and promised to do what he could. He was satisfied that the Kumara Borough’s financial position was unenviable, and he would make it his business to go fully into the matter with the Minister of Public Work on his return to Wellington. Other matters brortght forward were a request for a grant of £l5O for a recreation ground, and assistance in regard to the pipe line and Zig-zag Road. The Minister promised to see if some assistance could not be given. A request was made by the Kumara Cricket Club for a grant of £SO to assist in putting the ground in order. The Minister said he would see if any' funds existed out of which a grant could be made. He would make no definite promise, as he -was not clear as to the position.

BODY FOUND ON RAILWAY LINE Marcus Macauley', whose mangled remains were found on the railway line near Dobson yesterday morning, was thirty-three y'ears of age. He had been employed as a trucker in the Dobson mine for about twelve months, and was a native of Scotland. He is believed to be single. His only known relative in New Zealand is Mr D. Macauley of Twelve Mile, a cousin. GREY CUSTOMS REVENUE. The Customs duties collected at Greymouth during January amounted to £2995 0s 3d, compared with £2203 13s 4d collected during the same period last y-ear. OUTBREAKS OF FIRE. At 4 a.m. yesterday fire broke out in the tea rooms in Lower Broadway', Reefton, owned by Mrs Osborne and occupied by- Mr H. Griggs. The damage was confined to the front portion of the building, the blaze starting under the counter. The Fire Brigade were soon on the scene and did not use a hose, quenching the blaze with water obtained on the premises. The glass in the front window was broken and the confectionery and sweets stock was spoilt. Fire broke out in the residence of Mr E. Simmonson, Millerton, and the building and contents were destroyed. Mr Simmonson was at the pictures at the time. Mr J. Roper’s house, next door, was in imminent danger, but it was saved through the efforts of a bucket brigade. MAKURA CROQUET CLUB. Matches play-ed by the Makura Croquet Club resulted as follow: Shallcrass Bowl—The final was played between Mrs Whibley and Mrs Hannan, resulting jn a win for Mrs Whibley. Peace Bowl—ln the final Mrs Whibley defeated Mrs Scott. PERSONAL. Mr George Wilson left y-esterday to commence his duties as assistant master at St Andrew’s College, Christchurch. Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, chairman *of the Railway Appeal Board, which held a session at Westport, left for Christ church on Saturday. Mr E. T. Spidey, superintendent of railway workshops, returned to Christchurch on Saturday. Mr and Mrs S. Foster (of Christchurch), have taken up their residence at Blackball, Mr Foster having been appointed cashier at the office of the Blackball Coal Company. Mr R. R. Smith, who has been secretary of the Blackball School Committee for three years, left for Christchurch yesterday'. The committee presented him with a leather travelling case' and a smoker's outfit. Members of the Anglican Church also presented gifts to Mr and Mrs Smith. Mr M. Dennehy', Assistant General Manager of Railways, accompanied by Mrs and Miss Dennehy, who have been on a trip to the glaciers, were passengers yesterday to Christchurch.

On the eve of his departure from Grey'mouth to the head office of the Public Works Department, Mr Ken Williams was presented, on behalf of his fellow-officers, with an attache case and a set of hair brushes. He left yesterday for Wellington. The death occurred on Friday at the Grey' Hospital of Mr James Iloran, of Ward Street, Cobden. The late Mr Horan, who was a member of the Iloran family of Coal Creek, was fortveight years of age, and had been ill with pneumonia for only a short time. He leaves a widow, three sons, Messrs Joseph, Mannix and Bryan Moran, and four daughters, Mesdames Allison and Minto and Misses Gertrude and 'Cecilia Horan. HOKITIKA ITEMS. (Special to the “Star.”) HOKITIKA, Februarv 1. Mr T. P. O’Neil, farmer, of Kokatahi, is announced as the second can didate for the vacancy on the County Council. SHIPPING MOVEMENTS The scow Moa arrived to-day from Wellington, after a protracted trip due to adverse weather. She sails to-mor-row with a cargo of sawn timber for Petone. The steamer Gael sailed to-day for Nelson with a cargo of seasoned timber for the Stoke Hospital. STATE MINERS’ PICNIC. Beautiful weather prevailed for the State miners’ picnic from Runanga, the large number of excursionists requiring two long trains for transport. A visiting Runanga bowling team defeated the local players by 83 points to 80.