GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 24, 8 October 1886, Page 9

GREYMOUTH.

(From our own Correspondent.) ISST co f m L t^u ?/ ° Qr two , Vol «oteer CoSpSie^heW' a 1 meeting On! f v', at . Wbl * h Jt wa8 I_,reßolved1 _, reBolv ed to invite the whole of the Weft Coast Volunteers to assemble at Greymouth on the 9th of November. Z? T JL °? P ur P° Be of holding a review in honour of the Prince of Wales' birthday. As this invitation will certainly be accepted, there will be eight Companies, containing altogether about 500 men underarms on that day. The expense in connection with the entertainment of such a large body of men will be very considerable, and the committee intend to canvass the town for contributions. The various Fire Brigades of the W^st Coast have arranged to hold a competition at Greymouth on the Bth of November next, so that we shall have exciting times, and no lack of amuaement on both the Bth ana 9th of November. An Accident Relief Fund has been created by the men engaged on Messrs. Hungerford and McKay's works. The subscription qualifying for membership of the Society was fixed at one shilline per week, and it was resolved that the accumulated funds— if any— should be distributed annually amongst the subscribers, in proportion to the length of time during which they have been members not however, until a sum is laid by as a reserve fund. Any subscnber that meets with an accident incapacitating htm from work is to receive one pound per week for the first six months, and 'ten shillings per week for the following six. The Society will also contribute ten pounds towards the funeral expenses of any member who may either receive injuries of a fatal character, or who may meet with instant death whilst employed on the works. Mr. Morse was appointed Treasurer, and Messrs. Bell, White, and Jamieson a committee for the ensuing twelve months. The Brunner Coal Company have successfully tendered for the supply of coal to the New Zealand Shipping Cjmpiny's steamers Ihe amount contracted for is 25,000 tons. An Amateur Dramatic Company has been organised in Brunnerton, ami on their first public appearance a few days ago, the members proved themselves possessed of good histrionic talent. Our Borough Council, after mature deliberation, has set about ridding the town of some of the numerous eye sores and hot-beds of disease to be frequently met within its boundaries. The unsightly lidal Greek is being swept away, or rather covered in from the public gaze for ever. Two boys, Arthur Hutchings and John Austin, were charged by the police to-day with placing an obstruction on the railway line between Greymouth and Brunnerton. It appeared from the evidence that on the curve near Omoto station, the boys laid a broken rail across the line and secured it firmly with stones The state of the line was fortunately noticed before any train came along or very serious results might have to be chronicled. The iron rail was so firmly secured that, although the cowcatcher might have thrown it one side, it is doubtful whether the wheels would have kept the line after being subjected t> the shock which the train would receive on coming in contact with the obstruction The magistrate, after carefully considering the case, sentenced the boys to a whipping and ordered them afterwards to be sent to an industrial school until they obtain the age of fifteen years David Austin, the brother of John, was charged with the larceny of some property belonging to a Mr. Singer, ot Hokuika, valued at seventeen shillings and sixpence ; he was sentenced to a whipping Ihe boys are not Catholics, but I wonder whether the Hon Sir Kobert will endeavour to prove that they are, whenever he prepares his next paper on the growth of crime in the Colony. There has been a falling off in the revenue on the Brunnertoa railway hae during the past year, and how to account for this ia rather difficult. The actual falling off for the four months ended July 24, has been £638. This is a large sum, but such a state of things cannot last long, for as soon as all the mines begin to export the output of coals will rapidly increase, and so also will, of course' the revenue. '

Considerable progress has been made with the north breakwater and piles have been driven for several spans already. The depth of water on the bar remains good, the average for the month being from 13 to H feet. &