WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18237, 22 November 1924, Page 14

WEST COAST NOTES

COAL STRUCK. (special to "the press.") GREYMOUTH, November 21. A rider seam six inches in thickness was struck at the Dobson Colliery today, and it is now anticipated that the main coal seam will be reached at a distance of about 2oft, entailing another week's work. Power Board. Over 20 applications have been received for the position of engineer to the Grey District- Electric Power Board. The appointment will not'be made until after. December 9th, when applications close. Dunedin Exhibition. Messrs W. B. Hayward and A. Barnett, of the Dunedin Exhibition Executive, addressed a meeting of local body representatives at Reefton last evening. Mr L. J. Bell, chairman of the lnangahua County Council, presided. It was decided to set up a local committee with a view, to organising a West Coast exhibit. This afternoon the delegation • attended a meeting at Greymouth convened. by the Mayor. There were present: Mr W. H. Parfitt (Mayor of Greymouth), and Messrs J. W. Greenslade (Deputy Mayor), W. B. Kettle (Chamber of Commerce), W. B. Gilbert (Harbour Board), and J. W. Caldwell (Sawmillers' Guild). Mr Hayward said they had been unable to visit Westport owing to delays by floods in the Nelson district. He believed that the West Coast could make a comprehensive display by the co-operation of the four counties, each of the.four principal towns to have its own committee. The matter should be taken in hand at once, as the wool from this year's clip and harvest products would be required in any exhibit. The English Government had applied for 28,000 ft of space, and the Federation of British Industries, the largest trade organisation in the world, had consented to send a comprehensive display. He had heard unofficially that the Japanese Government was taking up an acre of space. Charges for space, railway freights and shipping facilities were also dealt with, and Mr Hayward concluded by stating that the success of the Exhibition was assured. Mr ' Barnett dealt with the lighter side of the Exhibition, detailing the amusements and sports programmes to be held. He outlined the measures being taken to ensure accommodation for visitors. Mr Barnett also dealt with the attitude of Christehurch manufacturers, stating that they were cooperating whole-heartedly with the exception of a few malcontents. Mr Kettle said the district would, no doubt give, its whole-hearted support. 'Finally it was decided to-ascertain the attitude of Hokitika and' if possible, to arrange a conference at Greymouth. '• .. .

County Council. The monthly meeting of the Grey County Council was held to-day. Pre-, sent: Crs. P. Donnellan (chairman), J. Ryall, H. G. Carter, A. Bobinson,. J. W. Hannan arid D. Baybutti The Public Works Department forwarded authority, for the expenditure of £SOO for Brown Creek Bridge on th!e old Marsden road, and notified that the Council's application for a grant of £IOOO for Canoe • Creek Bridge would receive • consideration. The Minister of Lands wrote stating that as the Government - had already provided assistance for the Totara ..Flat protection works, any further expen.diture must, be borne by, the County Council and settlers..

The Magisterial* order unseating ' Cr. Blair was read by the clerk, and it was decided to hold a hy-election on. December. 11th. . An application for funds for the com-, pletion of the War Memorial was received from the town clerk and referred to the Finance Committee. A letter was received from two ratepayers asking, that the BlackballBrunner track be put in order.' The engineer reported that the communication contained statements contrary to fact. It was decided to expend half the current year's rate for the 'dis- . trict on the track. ; The same action was taken with a request from, the secretary of the Grey Valley Branch of ,£he Farmers' Union re the back road between Currie's corner and Orwell Creek road. Bequests from the 1 Greymouth Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Bureau for donations were referred to the Finance Committee. * No action was taken in connexion with a circular letter from the Dunedin Exhibition Coinmitiee. . ,

Magistrate's Court. . At the Beef ton Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr W. Meidrum, S.M., Cecil Curtis was charged under the Coal Mines Act, with. failing to inspect working places and F. Loubcre and Joseph Stewart with proceeding to their working places without the mine being inspected. : The first-named was fined £>l and costs, and Louberc and Stewart were each fined 5s and costs.

Personal. Messrs W. E. Hayward and A. Barnott, of the Dunedin Exhibition Executive, leave ■ Hokitika - by- car tomorrow for Otira en. route for Christchurch. Mr F. L. Turley, secretary of the West Coast . Timber Workers' Union, has undertaken an organising tout in tho North Island' for the Alliance of Labour. Mr H. E. Holland, 51.P., arrived in Greymouth to-night from Westport, and proceeds to Wellington to-morrow. Mr F. C. Wade has left on a visit to Auckland. Dr. William Little, of Blackball, has resigned his position .with the Blackball Medical Association and, accompanied -by Mrs Little, will leave for a holiday when a successor is appointed. Mr H. McKeown will arrive in Greymouth on Thursday- from .Christchurch. - ■ Mr A. Wesley Eoberts, examiner for the Associated Board, is due in Hokitika on Tuesday. The New Convent. ■ Destined to be Greymouth 'a best asset from an architectural viewpoint •and also its largest building, the new convent now under construction in Tainui street, costing as it will about £30,000, will provide eloquent testimony to the strength of the Eoman Catholic community' on the West: Coast. Mr H. St. A. Murray, of Christchurch, is the architect, Mr J. Hart the contractor, and Mr M. Moloney the clerk of works. Since the commencement of operations'good progress has been made with the levelling and founda-tions,-and work has been started on. the front facade. ._ Owing to the difficulty,.of- making suitable .arrangements, it. is improbable that the ceremony of laying the foundation stone . will take ■ place this' year, but it- is anticipated that Bishop . Brodie will' .; be able " to visit -the Coast' in January. . The; convent is being, constructed in brick and ferroconcrete, • with... a frontage to Tainui street of 104 ft, and depth of 166 ft.. The structure, will contain two storeys, and the -height to the top- of'.either gable oh the front elevation will be 43ft. The latter day Gothic style has been adopted as most" suitable, andthere will be a .courtyard in the centre

surrounded by a cloister with a balcony extending along the four aides, A spacious verandah approached by. a handsome flight of steps will face Tainul street. The ground floor will contain a cloak-room, parlour, and an infirmary. The community room will be fitted witSi a huge open fireplace. The chapel at the rear will be beautifully tiled with stained-glass windows, and will be 40ft long. The sanctuary, which is to be placed behind the chapel, will be treated in marble. A second parlour will be found in the southern wing. A medicine room, library, sisters' refectory, boarders' refectory, and kitchen will also be provided for on the ground floor.. The ■upper floor will consist of 36 cubicles, two dormitories, and a balcony. The building will be exceedingly well ventilated.

Plmiket Society. A meeting of the Greymouth branch of the Plunket Society was held this afternoon, Mrs Carr presiding. An executive was appointed, ' consisting of Mesdames Carr, P. Dennehy, T. E. Y. Seddon, A. W. Brailsford, and F. H. Denton. Arrangements were' made to take over a suite of rooms in the Bank of New South Wales building, in Mawhera quay, and for suitable furnishings. The secretary reported that Saturday's shop had resulted in a net returi3L.:of £35. Use for Slack Coal. The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre has written the Minister of Mines urging the Government to offer a subsidy or bonus of £2OOO to any company or person manufacturing briquettes or eggettes from slack bituminous lignite or brown coal on a commercial basis', and at a price which will enable them to compete with screen, coal for household and industrial use. Cycling. The Greymouth Cycling Club met tonight, when it was decided to run a youths' race next week, and a road race over the Paroa course in the' following week. The newly-formed Hokitika MotorCycle Club will hold its opening run to pake Kanieri. Kakapotahi Bridge. Pile driving' at the Kakapotahi bridge, in South Westland, will be completed next week, and the steel joists which have arrived from Wellington will then be placed in position. It is hoped to have the structure completed in time for the lamb traffic in January.

WESTPORT ITEMS. (BPBCIAL TO "TOT PHJSSS.") WESTPORT, November 21. Telegraphic advice has been received in Westport from Mr H. R. Young, consulting" engineer to the Westport Borough Council, to the effect that the flotation of the cement works at Cape Foulwind is assured. The National Portland Cement Co., Ltd., -will work the lime deposits. The Westport Boxing Association has matched Jimmy Cagg (Miller.ton) against D. Clinton (Palmerston North) "as the professional; bout for its Christmas tourney. An endeavour is being made to form a team of lady bowlers in Westport. Mr F. Renyard, Inspector of Technical High Schools, is on an official visit to Westport. . .A-handsome silver cup ...has - been given by the Board of; Governors, for presentation to the winner of- most points in the championship events to be run at. the Technical High School sports meeting. Captain Tointon, assistant harbourmaster, accompanied by Mrs Tointon, arrived honie to-day from a month's holiday in Canterbury. .