WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18222, 5 November 1924, Page 10

WEST COAST NOTES

PROPERTY SALES.

(special to ''th* passs.'") GKEYMOUTH, November 4. A couple- of interesting deals in property took place recently. Mr B. i>ixoE, bookseller, purchased the shop now occupied by Mm in Tainui street for £3OOO. As it has a frontage of 30ft, the pike paid is at the rate of £IOO a foot. The premises occupied by Messrs R. Hannah and Co. 'and Messrs Ring and Jnkste'r also changed hands, the- amount involved in these transactions being between £SOOO and £6OOO. All the properties vcre sold on behalf of the MeDa*'itt estate. Railway Commission. The Railway Commissioners and party will - arrive in Greymouth by special train at 1.30 p.m. on Monday. The West Coast Provincial Executive of the Fanners' Union has appointed Messrs W. Clayton ('president'', J. Muleare (secretary), 11. G. Carter, and D. Jellie to bring matters affecting farmers before the Commission. They will urge the necessity of a reduction in freights from Canterbury to the Coast. Mining Matters. That the miners' 1 organisations, are determined to oppose any extension of the Mines Department's co-operative scheme to the privately-owned mines or in the State collieries, where it has been introduced, is evident from the decision of a largely-attended meeting of the Blackball Miners' Union, which resolved to urge the National Council of the United Mine Workers- to take action against the proposal. It is be-lieved-that the other unions on the Coast were also opposed to the scheme, which, it is held, will destroy the miners' organisation, and introduce speed-ing-up methods. It is reported that the battery at the Alexander Reefs was- ready to commence crushing on November Ist. Operations by the prospecting party at tha Golden Point colliery pierced the fault at 170 feet, and cut into a good seam of coal. Power Board. , As forecasted yesterday, the Minister of Public Works has come to a decision with regard to the petition by ratepayers of this district against the Grey power scheme for steam-generated "electricity, and has withheld the license of the Board pending its report on- the grounds of the petition which has.'been referred to it for consideration. An intimation' of this decision was received yesterday by Mr C. Uddstrom, a member of the Board, who was prominent in securing signatures for the petition, in reply to the following telegram despatched to the Minister: —"If prayer of petition of the Grey River Power Board is not granted, will you withhold the license and, further, to test public opinion, ask the Board to resign and have another election? Failing that, to withhold the license till the election take place." Inangaaua County. Two tenders were received by the Inangahua County Council for the construction of Southorn road, but as both were considered too high in view of the amount available, it was decided to ask the Publie Works Department to increase the vote. Arbitration Court. The Arbitration Court will sit at Greyinouth on December 3rd, and at Westport the following day. Personal. Passengers for Christchurch by today's express included Miss M. O'Hallahan, Miss M. Wylde, Messrs T. O 'Hallahan and A. King, the Rev- O. R. and Mrs Walkey and Miss Bowman. In company with. Mr T. Bowman and Mrs Bowman, Miss Bowman will visit the South- Sea Islands. Mr E. P. Lee left for Oamaru to-day. •Mr J. Jones, who was for some years a railway engine-driver on the Westland section, returned to-day to Greymouth, where he has been appointed night, foreman at the railway workshops. The death is reported from Australia of Mr Edward Farquhar, who left the New Big River district only -a" few weeks ago. The Rev. P. B. Fraser and Mrs Fraser, of Hokitika, will leave next month' for England, where they will spend a holiday. The death took place this afternoon at the Grey River" Hospital of Mrs R. Keown, sen., relict of the late Rdbt. Keown. The deceased, who was 87 years of age, is survived by an adult family. - Harbour Board. The monthly meeting of the Greymouth Harbour Board was held tonight. . Present: Messrs J. Ste?r (chairman), D. Tennenc, G. E. Perkins, G. A. Perry, J. R-ya-U, J. McLean, and W. Leitoh. "It'was decided tliab the chairman interview the Eugineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, regarding the report of the Harbour Commission. : A request "for assistance i'ronv the swimming bath committee was-referred to the Finance Committee. It was decided to inform the Town. Clerk that the Board could not contribute towards the cost of laying out the site of the fallen soldiers' memorial. It. was decided to forward the report on the proposed afforestation of ■ the* Board's reserves- to the Minister of Marine, and to enquire if the Board was empowered to put the scheme into effect, and, if not, whether he would take steps to give it such power. Mr' D. Tennent said" he represented the Board at a meeting of representatives of local bodies,, when it was decided to. co-operate in organising- an exhibit for the Dunedin Exhibition. He deprecated a report circulated at a. meeting of the Canterbury Industrial Association with reference to statements made by speakers at t-lie meeting in Greymouth in connexion with the exhibition. "It-was entirely contrary to fact. Timber Eoyalties. The Gray Count?.- Clerk has received a telegram from Mr J. O'Brien. M.P., stating that the Government intends to insert a clause in the "Washing-up Bill providing for the payment to local bodies of royalties from areas held by the State Forestry Department. In Bankruptcy. Charles Arthur Jolley, of Ruatapu, contractor, has been adjudged a bankrupt. Promising Invention , Having invented a circular saw which he claims will obviate the necessity of dressing the timber eut with a planer, Mr F. G. Matson, of Kotuku, leaves shortly for America, where he hopes: to have his idea taken up, and i the invention put to commercial uses. A demonstration this afternoon proved that the saw fulfilled all that is claimI ed for it. | WESTPORT ITEMS. (SMCXAi TO "THI PBSSS.") ! WESTPORT, November 4. The Rangimarie Croquet Club will j formally open their lawns for the ! 1924-25 season on Thursday afternoon.

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Mrs George Aitken is president, and Mrs J. H. Greenwood, secretary. The programme will include the presidential address, competitions, and afternoon tea. ■ , A very -enjoyable social was helu this afternoon in the Wakefield street Hall bv members of the St. Andrew's Ladies' Guild. The. programme included competitions, afternoon tea, and music. Mrs. Miller, wife of the Rev. Alex. Miller, received the guests. The following were winners in the -competitions:—Mesdames W. Taylor (2), Ballard, Bird (2), and Piekering. Sunday marks the forty-firth anniversary of the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in Westport. Services will be held in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The finals of the Musical and Elocntionarv Competitions will be held in St. John's Hall on Friday evening. Among the judges will be Messrs P. Struthers, James Black, sen. (beddonville) H. McGaakill. Mesdames A. Miller, Beilby, and Miss Ferens. Mrs Meade, who recently underwent an operation in the Buller Hospital, is now convalescent. The State school sports, fixed for Thursday, have been QJiL account of sickness among the children, There are over 100 absentees through whooping cough and mumps.