ON THE WEST COAST,

Press, Issue 14828, 20 November 1913, Page 8

ON THE WEST COAST,

POSITION ACUTE AT YVESTPORT

SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES

(special to "the press.")

GREYMOUTH. November 19

In consequence of the strike and the attendant diminution of traffic on th© railway lines, the Railway Department have found it necessary to cut out several trains in the local service. Local business people , are also feeling the pinch, and already the services of a number of employees have, in consequence of a decrease in trade, been dispensed with.

The Government has agreed to run goods trains from Christchurch to Halpin Creek (Bealey Flat), so that tho coast can get in food supplies that way. Flour, potatoes, and other food stuffs are almost exhausted, and in Westport the position has become so acute that potatoes and flour have been sent from Hokitika overland. The cost of transit is about £4 per ton.

It is hoped tliat tho coastal steamer Mangapapa will be ablo to got away from Wellington with somo supplies. Failing this, it is intended to load at Hokitika the Jane with about 35 tons of flour, etc., for the Westport people. The largo supplies arriving by the Holmdale and Kairaki will enable this to be done. Hokitika seems to have suffered less inconvenience than the other towns on the coast during the present crisis. In no case have prices been increased bj- the local merchants, although requests for supplies have been received at Hokitika from all parts of the West Coast.