WESTPORT NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 26, 22 October 1886, Page 13

WESTPORT NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By "Old Identity.") October 4, 1886. THE BOROUGH ELECTIONS. | The late Borough elections resulted in the return of the following gentlemen : — Middle Ward — extraordinary vacancy — Robert Carr defeated the other candidate, Edmund Roche, by a small majority, j Middle Ward — ordinary vacancy — H. T. Lock defeated W. Morris, (ex-Borough overseer of works), by neaily three votes to one. South Ward — ordinary vacanacy — Charles Wright defeated Wm. Ruthban ! by a fair majority. An informality in the nomination of the latter prejudiced his chances of election. North Word — Tbe old member, Mr. R. Rowlands, had a walk over. Strange to say the new blood i introduced into the Council are representatives from each of the rival newspapers, namely the Times (Mr. Carr) and Buller Ncivs (Mr. 1 Wiight). Mr. Roche, who satin the Council as one of the represen- | tatives for the South Ward for the past 10 years, was very foolishly | advised at the last moment to run for the Middle Ward extraoidinary vacancy, some of the " knowing ones " thinking the " boy " (as they cbose to call the other candidate) couldn't hold his ground against tbe old Councillor, but thingß don't always turn out as 4 we would like them. THE MAYORALTY. The coming Mayoral contest is looked forward to with great interest, the seat in the local Haibor Board, which tbe office carries, ' being the prize so eagerly sought after. Amongst those mentioned aa likely aspirants are Messrs. Munro (ex-M.H.R.), W. R. Haselden, (ex-Mayor), J. Moynihan, and Crs. Hay and Simon. The sitting Mayor (Mr. Hughes), intimated at the last Council meeting that he did not intend contesting the seat this time, having held it for three successive years, and he was of opinion the office ought to be a rolling one, GASWORKS. The local Gasworks are so far completed up to the point of erecting machinery and laying of mains. The plaDt is on tbe way from Home and is expected to arrive here towards the end of the present month. The following recommendation of the Gas Committee has been agreed to by the Borough Council :—": — " That the price of gas for lighting be 17b 6d per 1000 feet, subject to a discount of 5s per 1000 feet, if paid on or before tbe 15th of each month. For cooking and machine purposes, the price of gas to be 15s per 1000 feet, subject to a discount of /> d pe r 1000 feet if paid on or before the 15th day of each month." A long want ia tn be supplied by the Borough, twenty street lamps are to be erected in different pans or the town when the Gasworks commence business ; one, I understand, will be placed outside each of the four local churches, lo show the unanimous tone of public opinion in favour of the introduction of gas, every business person, with the exception of one miserable storekeeper—who prefers to use kerosene — have agreed to the proposed terms of the Gas Committee. The Town Clerk (Mr. Cumming), and the manager of the works (Mr. Bradley), made a canvass of the

town last week to ascertain what support was likely to be accorded, with the satisfactory result mentioned. I don't see any reason why operations could not ba extended to Wainangaroi and Denniston, should sufficient inducement offer. THE COAL MINING INDUSTRY. The Westport coal Company, who are deserving of all credit for their enterprise have chartered eight steamers in England for the Westport and Greymouth coal trade, which, with the present colliers, will make eleven steamers sailing under tho W.C. Co.'s flag. Mr. Waters, the Company's engineer, stited at the Harbour meeting on Thursday, that it is intended on the arrival of the new steamers, to work the local mine double shifts. HARBOUR WORKS The Harbour Bourd have at present about 190 wages men at work, principally engaged at the low level works on the west side of the river. The rate of wages is from 8s to 10s per day, payments being made fortnightly. Since taking up their contract, Messrs. Blakey and Savage, the .contractors for the supply of stone for the western tiaining wall, have deposited 13,000 tons of material, thus leaving 22,000 tons to be delivered in three months to complete their contract. At the rate the 13,000 tons were supplied the Engineer has very properly recommended the Board to remit the peualty for short delivery and terminate the contract at the end of the month. The Harbour Board will settle the question at its next meeting. It is generally tnought, should the Board cancel Blakey aad Savage's contract, they will work the quarries by day labour. After exploring every likely locality (so the Engineer says) without success, for suitable stone for the training wall, on the town or eastern side, the Board have decided to build a railway-bridge across the Buller river and obtain stone from the Cape Foulwind quarries. The Westport Borough Council and Buller County Council are asked to contribute the extra costs of the structure, £1200 and £800 respectively, to make the bridge suitable for wheel and foot traffic. The Borough Council was waited on the other evening by a deputation from tne Harbour Board with respect to the bridge question, and after tho Chairman of the Board (Mr. O'Conor) aud the other member of the deputation (Mr Bailie) clearly explained tbe matter, a unanimous resolution was passed by trie Council in favour of the | proposal. A poll will require to be taken of the Borough ratepayers | on the question, as a special rate must be struck to pay interest and sinking fund on the loan. The County Council will consider the matter at next meeting. 1 TUG SERVICE AND STEA.M LAUNCH. ' The Harbour Board propose purchasing a steam tug for the porl, , also a launch to convey passengers and goods to and fro to the South ' Spit.