WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18235, 20 November 1924, Page 14

WEST COAST NOTES

SEAT FORFEITED. (BPSCUI. TO "iHB PKKB.") GEEYMOUTH, November 19. As a result of action taken by. the Audit Department, which questioned the legality of certain purchases of timber by the Grey County' Council from Mr Adam Blair, the member for the Maori Creek riding, an application to oust him from that body waa heard this morning by Mr "W. Meldrum, S.M Mr W. J. Joyce appeared for the applicant (Mr M. Keating, county clerk) and Mr T. E. Y. Seddon for Mr Blair, who, it is understood, admitted the' transactions, but stated that he was ignorant of the fact that they constituted a breach. The application was granted.

Property Market. Several important deals in property within the borough are reported. Included in these are the purchase by Mr E. MeDonnell of the old factory in Whall street, owned by the West Coast Farmers' Co-operative Dairy Company. It will be converted into a bond store. Messrs Griffen and Smith have bought the largo section opposite the police station, on which foundations for a commodious boardinghouse were laid some years ago, a work that was never completed. Included in the deal were the brick offices of the West Coast Timber Trading Company, which became merged in tho Midland Sawmilling Company. The new owners of the property intend building an oil store on the corner. The butcher's shop and section in Albert street held on leasehold tenure by Hannam Bros., together with boiler, machinery, and fittings, were offered for sale by auction to-day by Dalgety and Co., Ltd., but tho property was passed in. The only bid offered was £6OO, arid the reserve was £2OO above this figure.

Sunday Sport. Controversies, characterised by some bitterness, are being waged around the vexed question of Sunday sport, whether the Fourth .Commandment is being broken by Eugby Union and League footballers who play ; matches on the Sabbath, golfers who indulge in their recreation at Omoto, cricketers who are setting down '■ important games for decision on the first day of the week, and picnic parties at Punakaiki, is being hotly debated, the subject having been brought again into prominence by the statement of a West Coast minister at the Presbyterian General Assembly at Palmerston North. He, averred that, we have something very closely approaching the Continental Sunday.

A Crimeless Province. The Coast may fairly claim the distinction of being the only crimeless province in the Dominion, stated the Inspector of Police to the representative of "The Press" to-day. This is borne out by the absence of criminal case's from the Supreme Court calendars. Building Boom. A local builder reports a mild boom in his trade. In addition to a number of shops and offices this contractor has in hand, he will commence work shortly on eight new dwellings.

Conciliation Council. A sitting of the Conciliation Council Mill be.held at Grcymouth on'the 28th inst., when' the dispute between , the Westland : branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union and the Despatch Foundry Company will be heard. • Personal, . Mr and Mrs Eeaks, of India aie visiting the Franz Joseph Glacier.' Mrs James Stevenson, who was a recent visitor to her relatives in the Inangahua district, has left for Melr bourne, where she will in future resi^y. The wedding was solemnised at &. Patrick's Church this morning ,of James, son of Mr and the late Mrs J. Hines, to Lillian, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Kennedy, of Euru. The Eev. Father Madden officiated. Miss M. Southorn was bridesmaid, and Mr Cyril Kennedy carried out the duties of best man. After the ceremony a reception was held at Barker's tearooms.

Mr M. B. -Esson, Acting-Chief Inspector of Post Offices, is visiting Greymouth. The. wedding was solemnised at Westport' to-day of Mr J. Mathieson, of Cobden street, to Miss E. Smith, of Lower Peel street.

Dunodin.Exhibition. Novel methods of advertising are being adopted by ..the Dunedin Exhibition Council. Consignments of timber are going forward for the Exhibition buildings from the Hokitika district* and one of the trucks seen bore a large cloth sign; with the following legend: "This timber-is for the big Exhibition. Be sure you see it." Pork for Canterbury. A consignment of frozen pork re-cently-sent from Hokitika to a leading'firm of bacon curers in Canterbury arrived in excellent condition, and realised 9d per lb. Buller Hospital. The dance held recently at Westport in aid of the funds of the Buller Hospital resulted in a net profit of £ 75. Tourist Season. A recent visitor to Greymouth was Mr Ewart Bates, of Chris'tchurch, as-sociate-secretary of the'.Y.M.C.A., who came over to arrange' a visit of about twenty young men, who will camp at Punakaiki during the Christmas holidays. Mr Firth, local representative of the Tourist Department, reports a large number of enquiries and numerous bookings during the week for intending visitors to the glaciers and other resorts.