ON THE WEST COAST.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17471, 3 June 1922, Page 5

ON THE WEST COAST.

TOWN AND COUNTRY ITEMS. OTIRA TUNNEL. (special to "the press.") GREYMOUTH, Jun© 2. People in larger centres should not overlook that the town can boast of three Dominion amateur champions, namely, A. Sime (golf), J. Steele (Rugby), and L. O'Neill (boxing). This is not bad for a town of 50C0 people, with no great commercial advantages to lure, or retain, leading sportsmen. In somo matters, mental as well as physical, Grcymouth could also afford to challenge any of the cities; in oratory and elocution, for instance. At last year's competitions the judgo declared the local standard to be the highest he had experienced in New Zealand, and nobody here will disagree with him. There arc several debating clubs, and as New Zealand lacks good public speakers, it may prove one day that Gieymouth will wipe out this national reproach. Keen intor-club contests are h'Ad, and at the latest, the subject for debate was, "AVill the opening of the Otira Tunnel benefit GreymouthP" The judge gave tho honours to the Noes by a fair margin. The Ayes broke little fresh ground, excepting one speaker, who dilate t ] on the military importance Grcymouth would possess, through the tunnel, in tho next warl The I\oes' chief points were that Greymouth waa a parasitic town, depending on min?rs and sawmillers' paydays, its drabness would repel tourists, its Maori leaseholds and wet climate could never be overcome, and (the unkindest cut of all) it was destined to become a suburb of Blackball or Runanga. Incidentally, ons of the Noes declared that Ashburton was tho coming city. "That is because it has prohibition," was the interjection of the reverend gentleman who presided. Most of the audience thought that had tho debat?rs changed sides, victory would have been to the supporters of benefits from the tunnel.

Ministers' Popularity. Not even the most optimistic supporter of the nresent Government can regard tho West Const as a. Reform stronghold, but it is-safe to say. that tho present Cabinet Minsters' popularity was never greater in Westland than it is to-day. This is the fruits of recent visits from the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Mines, the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, and the Hon. ۥ J. Parr, Minister of Education and Health. These gentlemen were met by various deputations, and the replies received were of a very satisfactory nature, particularly those from Mr Parr. The Ministers were not, of course, electioneering, as no Reform candidates for Westlana and Buller in the coming general ejections are announced, but with recent favours granted to this district, and the opening for traffic of the Otira tunnel, the chances of success, were any Reform candidates to venture would not be insignificant. Meanwhile, Ministers can claim with justice that the present political colour of 'West Coast Parliamentary representation does not cause the district to be prejudiced where Ministerial decisions are concerned. Mr Parr apparently has no doubt of the result of the next general elections, because in addressing the Technical schoolboys, he promised to come nest year "as Minister of Education" to see them in the fine new school just completing.

risho! ' Whereas 'Westport has often a glut of fish Urcymouth's supplies are few and far between, except to the members of that band of hope who' can spare the time to fish on the'wharves. Christchurch sends supplies, but the freshness is not so great as it would be were no overland journey necessary. Westport trawlers bring in fish occasionally, and considerable local excitement then prevails. Tne arrival of the trawler is advertised in the, local Press and on th© picture show screens, and it is mainly a case of first come getting served and the others going without. It is understood that a hew trawler will shortly be added to tho local fleet. This opposition to the Westport supplier will no doubt mean cheaper fish for the'people of Greymoiith, and consequently a drop, however slight, in the cost of living. Life of Timher. How long can good timber endure is an oft-debated problem among bushmen, and a recent find has again started the debate. At Westport a very .large totara log was unearthed in the swamp at the back of the Hospital in Pakington street, by Mr W. Caldwell, and a good deal of valuable timber was cut out of it. No trace of tho stump of the tree could he found. Mr Caldwell is of the opinion that this totara.log must have been washed in by tho sea many centuries ago. and as evolution took place the soa left the land and for hundreds of years the spil collected over the log to a depth "of five, feet. The timber was in a periect' state. ['\

Charity-Dodgere. The West Coast, like most Dominion districts, has ample opportunities to prove generous instincts, and also, like most dominion districts, make, on the whole, a generous response. There are some dodgers however. At the meeting of ladies held at Westport in connexion with the Soldiers' Memorial in discussing canvassing for selling the ribbons One woman said that in her experience she found in going to the houses that a good many women, when they knew of collectors going phe rounds would not respond to a knock at the door. Another member at the meeting suggested that each collector blow a whistle on going ;ii the gate, and the householder would rush to the door, thinking it was tho postman, and by this means they could be trapped. Greymouth's "dodgera" are mostly the younger generation. Preaching in St. Patrick's, Father O'Regan declared: —"Young men to-day will empty their pockets on the chances of put and take or racehorses, but ask them to give to some charitable or philanthropic Object and they seem to forget that they haive any obligations. They seemed to think that only the married men should contribute to anything. God help the married man," added the preacher. "I pity him! 5 '

The Lesser Evil. Giving evidence against a Westport licensee charged with supplying liquor after hours (an offence, incidentally which West Coasters do not regard as heinous) a constable said that he saw two men go to the hotel at 9.30 p.m. and he heard the money ring. The defence was made that the drinks were of a gifc variety, and in explaining an open till, it was further stated that sellers of the National Registers advised clients after they had removed the main contents, to leave the registers open and take the risk of loss of a few shillings rather than risk damage to the machines by people trying to prise them open to steal the money. Hotel Accommodation. The desirability of making arrangements for an influx of travellers from Canterbury following on the opening of iho Otira tunnel, was stressed by tho Westland Licensing Committee which met at Hokitika to-day. AH licenses applied for were granted except two which were adjourned pending certain repairs being made. The chairman (Mr W". G. Meidrum, S.M.) congratulated the licensees on the complete, absence of complaints bv the police, which was creditable to them. There were two matters which

he wis'ed to stress, however. The first was that a considerable change would take place with the opening of the Otira tunnel, and an increase in the number of those travelling would necessitate raanv improvements, as every available space would probably be needed. Tenures at present were insecure, but he felt that licensees would do their best to comply with the fishes of the committee. Secondly, he would point out that it waa incumbent on licensees to supply the best liquor. Manv hotels certainly fulfilled that obligation but on tjie other hand there were others which did not, and in the of some the committee would draw the attention of the Health authorities with the view of bringing about needed improvements. The Recent Surf Fatality.

There was a large attendance at the Town Hall last evening, the occasion being the annual ball of the Wes* Const Old Boys' Association. During the evening opportunity was taken by the Mavor (Mr J. D. Lynch) to make a presentation of a gold medal each to Mos-rs A. Negri and fi. Cauley, m recognition of their heroic efforts to rescue the victims of the surf fatality of February 3th. The former, although unable to swim, had risked his lite in ea\ in'g that of another, and was really a hero. With the help of the Greymouth peonle, said the Mayor, ne would endeavour to secure for Negri a better medal than the one he had received that night. The medals were obtained, not by public subscription, but by a few friends of the recipients, who felt that such deeds should have public recognition. Mr Perotti, on behalf of Mr Negri and Mr Cauley, returned thanks. Mr Lvnch announced that a sum ot about £llOO had been subscribed to the fund for the dependants of the victims. School for Kaiata. As the result of a deputation of the Kaiata Ratepayers Association, and repeated representations made, Mr 1. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., has received the following telegram from the Minister of Education:—"Pleased to inform vou that I have approved of the establishment of a school at Kaiata.—C. J. Parr." Deputation to Mr Massey. Concerning the deputation consisting of representatives of the Canterburv Progress League and delegates from the West Const to wait upon Mr Massev at .Christchurch on Monday to urge the speeding up of the construction of bridges in South Westland the Westland delegates will be the Hon. H. L. Michel, Messrs W. Jeffries (County chairman), L. H. Morel, A. A. Andrews, J.. Mcintosh, and i>. J. .Evans. Personal. Mr It. E Cranston, of the Rimn Flat Gold-dredging Company, has returned from America, and «"» ved j° Hokitika yesterday. He will remain here for a few weeks. King's Birthday. The King's Birthday will be the occasion to-morrow for « demonstration or lovaJty bv Greymouth citizens and .school children. Arrangements . have been completed for a procession in tie morning on a large scale, and, as the present fine weather promises to.-con-tinue, a very successful function should result At the Town Hall appropriate songs will be sung and addresses delivered bv the Mayor (Mr J D. Lynch), Mr T E Y. Seddon, M.P., and the Rev. B. J. James. Tho children participating in the procession will be given tickets for a picture matinee, _to be held at the Opera House in the afternoon. Other events of the holiday .include! a Rugby'seven-aTside tournament at Victoria Park.

rire. As the result of a gorse fire spreading on the southern bank of the Waimea creek at Stafford, the whole area was enveloped in flames. The residence of Mr V. Pfeifer vaa destroyed, and also all the contents. For a time the residences of Messrs Sullivan, Mcreweathef, and Twomey were in great danger, but they escaped. Mr Pfeifer's house was insured for a small amount. The loss in clothing, piano, and furniture was heavy. Unemployment. Applicants for employment <it the Greymonth. Labour Bureau, average, about 30 n week. To-day 29 applications were made- Only one man was placed in employment. It is reported that many of the applicants refuse to take on the relief work available at Aratika. Various reasons are given, some of them being that the wages Are not high enough, and that the applicant does not want work away from home, while others prefer a, more congenial occupation than wielding a, pick and shovel. Tootfcall Trouble. ■■ ■ The resignation of Mr Allan A. Adams as referee <ind selector for the West Coast Rugby Union was considered at a meeting of the executive of the Rugby Union to-night, when he was I-asked to recons<er his decision. The ' meeting was not open to the Press.