West Coast News.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19036, 3 April 1930, Page 9

West Coast News.

(Special to the “ Star.”) GREYMOUTH, April 2. Discussing the financial position of the borough of Greymouth to-day, the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade) informed' a “Christchurch Star” representative that the year ended March 31 had been quite satisfactory. All accounts had been paid, with the exception of those for March, which have not yet been rendered. Approximately £IOOO less was owing by the borough on March 31, 1930, than the amount owing twelve months previously. The year which ended on Monday was one of considerable activity in works for the improvement of the borough. These works were carried out by means of funds made available from revenue, and there has been no addition to the loan indebtedness of the community. Approximately £3500 was spent on new works during the year, in addition to expenditure on ordinary maintenance. Of the £3500, the Government subsidy would amount to £2OOO. and the remainder was provided by the borough. Expenditure on the improvement of the quality of the water supply was also provided for during the year. The year was also one of considerable progress as regards building in the borough generally, the total value of the building permits issued being £61,775, which is £19,249 in excess of the value of the permits for the year ended March 31, 1929, although £13,381 less than for the year ended March 31, 1928, which year was a record for the borough. So far as can be determined from the available records, the past year is second to the record year. The number of dwellings erected was thirty-four.

STEWART PLANT REPAIRED. Owing to the defection of one of the boiler tubes on the tug Westland, the proposed renewal of the test of the Stewart hydro-pneumatic plant for deepening the Grey bar did not eventuate this afternoon. The super-struc-ture and pipe which were broken through the mishap at the initial test yesterday have been repaired, and Mr Stewart's gear is ready to renew the trial. The defective boiler tube is receiving attention, and everything should be in order for a further test to be carried out to-morrow afternoon when the tide is on the ebb. EXPENDITURE IN COUNTY. The expenditure of the Grey County Council during the year ended on Monday easily constituted a record for that body, the total being £55,219 12s sd, or approximately £IB,OOO "more than the expenditure in any previous year. There was an all-round increase in roading expenditure, including the Haupiri Junction and Grey ValleyTaramakau Roads, big contracts being let for completing the connections to Kopara and Rotomanu. Ten new bridges were wholly or partially erected on the Greymouth-Puna-kaiki Road. In addition, a start was made on the Ahaura Bridge, which is being provided for by the Main Highways Board. DISPUTE AT DOBSON MINE. A telegraphic inquiry to Wellington regarding the Dobson Mine Dispute Conference elicited the reply that there was no information at present for the Press. WALLSEND SHOP DESTROYED. A fire occurred at Wallsend this afternoon, resulting in the destruction of a butcher’s shop occupied by Mr C. Chamley and owned by Mr F. Williams. In the absence of a water supply nothing could be done to save the building. There was no insurance. OBSTETRICAL FUND APPEAL. Contributions at Greymouth to the obstetrical endowment appeal so far total £63 7s 6d. WEDDING. The wedding took place this afternoon at Holy Trinity Church of Miss Iris Mary Boddy, third daughter of Mr and Mrs A. T. Boddy, of Milton Road, to Mr Cyril Neville, only son of Mrs and the late Mr Neville, of Wellington. Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn offi-' ciated. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a dress of white celanese with a veil and she carried a bouquet of dahlias. She was attended by her sisters. Misses Mavis and Lily Boddy, who wore pink and blue tulle respectively, w;ith picture hats of bisque rose and satin shoes to match. The bridegroom was attended by Mr F. Baillie as best man, and Mr Mervyn Jameson as groomsman. As the couple were leaving the church, two little girls, Lilas Murray and Christina M’Kenzie, presented them with a lucky horseshoe and a silver shoe. The newly married couple left by car on their honevmoon. PERSONAL. Miss D. Satterthwaite, of Christchurch, is on a visit to Mr and Mrs T. Bowes, Runanga. Miss Wilson-Jones, of Canterbury, is the guest of Dr and Mrs Meade, Runanga. Mr G. Millar, who has been chief engineer in the State Mines Department for over a quarter of a century, is about to retire. He intends to remain at Runanga. Mr Lilly, stationmaster at Rewanui, has been transferred to Christchurch and will leave within the next few weeks. Miss Alma Ryan left Greymouth this afternoon on a holiday visit to NelPassengers on }'esterday’s express from Christchurch included Mrs F. C. Harley and Miss A. Hambleton. The victim of the motor-car accident at Wellington, near Parliament Buildings, on Monday, was Mrs Hampton. Deceased was the wife of Mr John Hampton, a former resident of Reefton and was a native of Charleston. Mr E. St John, of the Reefton District High School staff, has entered the Reefton Hospital, suffering from a mild attack of scarlet fever. Miss Curtis, of Nelson, has been sent as relieving teacher. HOKITIKA ITEMS. (Special to the “Star.”) HOKITIKA, April 2. The Hokitika bar is in excellent order at present, with a depth of 16ft. The scow Elsie arrived from Okuru to-day. Included in her cargo was thirteen tons of cheese, butter and whitebait. The whitebait is the first shipment from Nolan Bros.’ new canning factory. The scow made a •smart run from Okuru. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the Hokitika Library Committee it was decided to grant a number of magazines to the local hospital. It was also decided that the matter of establishing library books at the Public Hospital be taken in hand. PERSONAL. Dr Teichelmann leaves for Christchurch to-morrow. BULLER NOTES. LABOUR PARTY’S FUNDS. (Special to the “ Star.”) WESTPORT, April 1. Mr H. E. Holland. M.P., addressed the Westport Main Miners’ Union at

Granity on the present political situation and the national campaign fund for the Labour Party. A resolution was passed at the end of the meeting pledging a minimum contribution of five shillings per member to the fund. Later in the day, Mr Holland also addressed the Stockton Miners’ Union, where the same resolution was passed unanimously. PRIMARY SCHOOL. A monster carnival in the school grounds will take place on Thursday afternoon. The various classes will give different displays of maypole dance, folk and country dances and there will be a mass drill display by over 200 pupils. There will also be various side shows and afternoon tea rooms, besides stalls for produce, sweets and cakes. The funds are in aid of the school sports. KARAMEA MAIL. Karamea seems to be singularly unfortunate with regard to its mail service. The m.v. Kotiti has broken the crankshaft of the main engine while crossing the Karamea bar. She will be towed back to Westport to be fitted with a new engine by Mr H. Soares. In the meantime, the owners have chartered the motor launch Southern Maid from Picton. Captain Nalder came overland from Karamea to-day and proceeds to Picton to-morrow to bring the Southern Maid to Westport. BOWLING CONTEST. The Westport Bowling Club journeyed to Millerton to try to regain the Ballinger Buckles. The day was perfect and the games were keenly contested, there being only one point in favour of Westport in the end. Mr A. Nichol, president of the Millerton Club, piesented the Buckles to the Westport team. The following were the scores: Nicholls, Stanley, Boswell and Murray (Millerton) beat Samuels, Pavell, Knight and Druery (Westport), 25-14: Ski 1 ton, Lee, M’Kinlay and Levy (Westport) beat Orman, M’Millan, Walkingshaw and Adam (Millerton), 21-16; Richards, Russell, Chippendale and M’Culloch (Millerton) beat Batchelor, Cox, M’Leod and Struthers (Westport), 22-18; Head, Craig, Sara and Harrison (Westport) beat Peggie, Riddel, Beauxchop and Burt (Millerton), 20-19; Elcock, Wheatley, Green, Capt. Tulloch (Westport) beat Shaw, Clark, Calder and Swan (Millerton), 28-18. The scores were: Westport 101, Millerton 100. SOCCER CLUB. The Denniston Soccer Club held its annual meeting last week-end. .The following officers were elected: President, Mr R. Roper; vice-president, Mr G. Gardiner; secretary, Mr T. Hayward; treasurer, Mr H. Boydell; delegate to the Buffer Association, Mr R. Scott; committee, Messrs P. Byrne, A. Horns by, A. Coleman, G. Browi Burt and A. Patterson. It was decided to hold a sports meeting on May Day with a May Day ball to finish the evening. The sports will include a six-a-side ladies’ hockey, five-a-side soccer, seven-a-side Rugby, besides the usual running events and tug-of-war. HOCKEY SOCIAL. The Denniston Ladies’ Hockey team held a social and dance in the Orange Hall. Musical items were rendered by Misses Phyllis Jeffries, Jean and Margaret M’llwain, and Messrs liiethell and J. Harris. Mrs Alan Findlay supplied lie music for the dance and Mr E. Bethell carried out the duties of M.C. FAREWELL PARTY. The final farewell party for Matron Dunsford was given by Mesdames "Wilson, Lovell, Sinsted and Harkness at the residence of Mrs James Sinsted, Cobden Street. Among those present were: Matron Wright, Sisters Conlan, and Moynihan, Mesdames Powell, Bayldon, M’Wha, Sargisson, Stevens, Hamilton, Slee, Bird, Struthers, Metson, Neil, de Tarrettes, Henley, Keesing, Batchelor, Bryan, D. Young, H. R. Young, Misses Harkness (2), Ferens, Sinsted (2), Bailie, Benn, Phillips and Findlay. PERSONAL. Miss Dunsford and Miss Conlan have left for Christchurch. The latter will go on to Australia. Mr R. Marshall arrived from Dunedin on transfer to the railway department. Mr Marshall was previously in -..the Westport office for some time. Mrs W. Edge, of Waimangaroa, who has been visiting her people in Nelson, has returned. Mr P. Sexton left to-day for a holiday in Christchurch. Mr Sexton has sold his home to Mr Neil, late of Addisons. Mr J. Simpson arrived overland with his trotter Olive Nelson and leaves for Wanganui on Friday. Miss Lane left for Christchurch today. WAIUTA. The Waiuta Miners’ Hall is being repainted and an additional structure is being erected on the end. Summer time is being continued by the Blackwater Mines and at the school. Glorious sunny weather is being experienced, W’ith a very high barometer. WEST COAST RUGBY UNION HOLDS MEETING. (Special to the “Star.”) GREYMOUTH, April 2. At the annual meeting of the West Coast Rugby Union a motion was submitted that the executive be altered to consist of the following members: The president, three vice-presidents, one delegrate from each affiliated sub-union, and one delegate from each affiliated club having a senior team playing in the union s senior competition. T,he motion was defeated by 9 votes to fi on a show of hands. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr A. A. Adams; vice-presi-dents, Messrs J. Guy, T. M’lntosh and A. White; treasurer, Mr J. Kyle; secretary, Mr W. Jones; auditor, Mr T. P. Ryan; vice-president to New Zealand Union, Mr T. M’lntosh; custodian. Mr J. M Leod; resident delegate to New Zealand Union, vice Mr T. O’Callaghan, who has been transferred from Wellington to Nelson, Mr H. Bowman; visiting delegate to annual meeting of New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr A. A. Adams. Referring to the appointment of a referee for the combined match against the British team, the chairman stated that there were local referees as capable as any of those sent at different times to referee such games. He meant to go into the matter with the New- Zealand Union and ask to have a referee appointed locally for the game. The chairman was instructed to bring the matter before the parent union. The chairman also expressed the opinion that the appointment of neutral referees for games was being overdone. The charges laid down by the New Zealand Union to be observed at all provincial games against the British team were referred to by the chairman, who stated that the matter would probably be brought up at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union. For some of the minor unions the charges were too high. A resolution was moved that the delegate to the New Zealand Union be instructed to use his best endeavours lo have accounts of the British team’s games broadcast. The chairman (who is also the deletlie broadcasting of the matches, but he thought that the Broadcasting Company should pay for the privilege of doing so. He was going to suggest to the New Zealand Union that the company be charged for the privilege of broadcasting the games, and that, the fees be given to the Ranfuly Shield fund for the assistance of the minor unions. The delegate was given a free hand on the subject.