WESTPORT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 44, 19 August 1892, Page 5

WESTPORT.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) August 8. A peculiabity of West Coast weather is— have a holiday proclaimed, or set aside a day for public amusement, and down pours the rain, and it raiDS for a week after, until the novelty has died oat. So it was on Arbor Day. The children of the different schools were jubilant over the novelty of planting and a prospect of being regaled with buns and tea afterwards ; but it rained in its usual style, and the trees await another day. It seems a kind of contradiction planting trees in this district where bush predominates. Probably tbat is why it rained. The Wesport Harbour Board have obtained the permission of Government to spend ninety thousand pounds on tbe half-tide training-wall and extension of tbe eastern wall. This work is to be let in three separate contracts. Employment will be given to severa men who are now amongst the unemployed owing to the stoppage of the quairies at Cape Fuulwind, the suspension of the dredging, and the completion of Messrs O'Connor and McKeozie's Staiths contract At the last sitting of the Board a deputation argued their prior right to the obtaining of stone. They suggested that the quarry should be let oa tbe co-operative system at schedule rates to the men at the Cape, arguing that the Westport men had the whole district, while the mea of Cape Foulwind were] circumscribed. Yes, by the configuration of the country, but in every other respect free. This little town had its birth in the Harbour Board, and at completion of the works it will cease to exist. The Board decided, on the motion of the chairman, to call tenders for the work in three separate contracts. All tenders 20 per cent below the engineer's estimate to be declared informal. Mr B. Beeves, M.H.R., argued the case of his constituents, but without avail. Now a deputation proceeds to Wellington, ignoring the decision of the Board or looking on them as an inferior couit. The matter will be laid before the Minister for Public Works. With what success, time will tell. His Grace the Archbishop is expected here soon. A large number of candidates for confirmation are under instruction, He

will likely make an appeal in aid o* the Cathedral fund on the occasion of his visit. Another collection is on foot to aid in the erection of a convent -in this town. Subscriptions have been promised for this end. The Bey Father Morrisy has, I am told, done well in the outlyiDg districts. The people seem .to have responded to bis appeal. A bazaar for this object is to be held at Christmas.