WEST COAST GOSSIP.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 23, 4 October 1895, Page 27

WEST COAST GOSSIP.

(From our own Correspondent. 1 ) West Coast, September 22. Despite the clouds that still overhang it in tbe shape of the decrease in its mineral output, the prevalence of unemployed and the exit of some of its stalwart natives to "fields and pastures new," the West Coast has a bright future. Thanks to speculator Ziman, Uejfton, with its rich golden vein, is going to "turn up tramps." No longer do the sturdy business men shake their heads dejectedly and look despondingly to the future while they tell the visitor that the greatness of the town lies in its past. Things in Quartz opolis are on a more solid footing. Business at present has revived, though it is but slightly. Property has advanced in value, and generally there is an energy more visible in its commercial life. The returns from the mines Bhow a good average, and speculator Ziman, as far as Beefton is concerned, visited the " Golden Weat " at an opportune time. Greymouth— the focus of the West Coast, with its rich coal deposits and its cutting " barber " — Greymouth shows a retrograde movement. The Harbour Board have found it necessary to stop all further operations on the harbour works, the cause, decrease of revenue and nothing to warrant the replenishing of their coffers, The Thurso, wrecked at the entrance of the port some few months back still baffljs Captain Faulconer and his torpedo corps. The removal of the derelict vessel, which at first appeared to be but a matter of some three or four days, will, according to Captain Faulconer, require- a deal of expense and time. The hull of the vessel id firmly embedded in tbe Band, and before anything can be done the shingle accumulation must be blasted away, With the Brunner mines' output at their lowest possible ebb, and other things consi lered, Greymouth is not naaring a bright future. Hokitika — tenantless, sleepy Hokitika, still tbe Empire city in name, but long, long ago subservient to its sister town Greymouth. Hokitika has put on a hopeful countenance, and calmly awaits the "good things coming." Speculator Ziman tvs infusad new hope with the purchase of the Humphrey's Gully Sluicing Claim, which should prove a paying speculation. The Hokitika Gold-Mining League, yet in its Infancy, is doing good work, and will succeed eventually in ha»iD<? awa er supply to work tha Rma a its. Bimu, by the way, being apretty little miniag hamlet situa'ei soma five miles from Hokitika, Another factor in the building anew of Hokitika's furtunei is the probable revival of the mining industry in Rjss, a township Bjme 22 miles from ttn cipitil, Nsgjtiatioaa have begun with the view of floating a company in England, to take over from the Boss B >rough C mncil, a partially constructed witer-nce, the completion of which will allow hundreds of acres of auriferous ground to be profitably worked. Should the syndicate susceed in getting favour. able terms from the Bjrou^b. Council, thare is no doubt that they will push the raci on towards a successful completion, Meanwhile the eyes of S^uth Weitlan 1 ar^ c^n'rel oi tins, which a Member of our L^gislatnre onca desigiated as "a biain of gold." And he waso't far wrong either. Speaking of Ross, a picturesque little township, lying snugly entrenchei in a natural bami, I n >ticj that its streets are models of cleanliness, its houses the saaa Q , and its people, more particularly its rising generation, the healthiest an \ the moit vivacious of beings. I notice, too, that the Catholic cjuauaujit/ are building a new convent — an up-to-dite eiifija, conmodious, an! commanding a splendid p^si ion. By Christmas time the buildiug will have advanced well lowards completion. The Catholic* of Rjsh desjive all praise for their energy ani zeal in the matter of educa'im, more so than elsewhere, whjn wa consider tb-it Ross is undoubtedly the most financially depressed town on tbe C ast.