WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18416, 24 June 1925, Page 14

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL. TO "THE PRESS.") GItFYMQUTH, .Tune 23. The Hon. H. L. Michel, M.L.C., and Mr J. O'Brien, M.F., left to-day for Wellington. Mrs E. Ilcnry arrived from. Christchurch to-day. Mr R. S. Kent, Divisional Superintendent, and Mr A. J. McCredie, District Engineer, N.Z.E., are visiting Greymouth. Messrs J. F. Grierson and Watkins, who have been attending meetings of West Coast Fire Boards, returned to Christehureh to-day. Messrs X. Mount. J. Haisty. and H. Mears, members of the South Island Rugby League team, left this morning en route for Auckland. Mr J. D. Wingham, manager of the New Zealand team for Australia, will probably remain in Grevmouth another week. Rugby Football. At the weekly meeting of the Rugby Supporters' Association, it was decided to stage a representative match at Hokitika on July Sth between Greymouth and Hokitika, the local team to be selected from players in the Wednesday competition. Cobden Town Board. A petition is being circulated at Cobden in favour of rating on the unimproved value. Grey Valley Items. The boiler-house at the Wallsend mine is nearing completion, and the smokestack is now in place. Work on the assembling of the winding gear is vrell forward. A large gang of men is employed on the repairs to the North Brnnner bridge, and largo concrete anchorages are under construction.

Mining Matters. In addition to the strike declaration at Millerton, signs are not wanting that there is simmering discontent in the coal industry. A dispute between the management and the men over the timbering of some of the places at the State mine may precipitate a stoppage there, and friction is also occurring at Eoa. Supreme Court. Tho Greymouth sittings of the Supremo Court were opened this afternoon, Mr Justice Alpers presiding. Thero being no criminal cases the Clerk presented Mb Honpur with a pair of whito gloves. Neil Joseph Bruce Chilling was granted his disc-harge from bankruptcy. Matilda Mary Turner applied for a dissolution of her marriage with James Turner on the ground of desertion. Mr W. J. Joyce appeared for petitioner. A decree nisi was granted. James W. Patterson, coalminer, of Eeefton, applied for an order for-the restitution of conjugal rights. Mr I. Patterson appeared for petitioner. His Honour granted the application. James Ryan, farmer, of Botomanu, sued Isabella Chamberlain, of Euru, for £390. The statement of claim set out that through the actions of defendant's agents, plaintiff had lost stock valued at £290—£60 for stock killed and £230 for stock removed—which amount it was sought to recover, in addition to £25 for trespass, £75 for wrongful conversion of stock and costs, and such other relief as the Court saw fit to order. Mr W. P. McCarthy appeared for plaintiff and Mr W. J. Joyce for tho defendant. Several witnesses were heard, and the Court was adjourned till to-morrow.

Progress League. The monthly meeting of the Westland Progress League was held last evening at Hokitika. •It was decided to request the Union Steam Ship Co. to run excursion trips to the West Coast Sounds during the Dunedin Exhibition, and to request Mr J. O'Brien, M.P., to confer with Southland members of Parliament with reference to matters affecting the South Island. The League resolved to request the director of the Cawthron Institute to make a soil.survoy of Westland. The matter of a railway siding ,at the Hospital, tho provision of cattle trucks and a turntable and an improvement in tho timetable for passenger trains was discussed with the representatives of the Railway Department who were present. Westland Rugby Sub-Union. At the weekly meeting- of the Westland Sub-Union it was resolved to reserve the right'to reclassify and transfer under extraordinary conditions at any period. A complaint from the Excelsior Club that W. Henderson, Who had been selected as emergency for the West ("oast team had been passed over in favour of an uuseleeted player, was referred to the West Coast Union. It was resolved to ask the latter to call a special meeting for Thursday evening, the Sub-Union to be represented by four delegates.

The Wednesday match against a Greymouth team was pcstponed for a week. It was resolved to inaugurate a new third grade competition on Saturday. Public Works. Improvements are being carried out on the Ross road by the Public Works Department. A new bridge with steel girders is being constructed at Frosty Creek, and the road is being straightened at the point. Work will be commenced shortly 011 the new bridge at Totara River. Hokitika Improvements. A resolution will be moved at the next meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council that, the tar-sealing of part of Re veil street be put in hand. Old Pupils' Association. At a mooting of old pupils of the Westport Technical School it was resolved to form an Old Students' Association. The following officers were elected: —Boy president, Mr Mayman; girl president, Miss I. Suisted; joint secretaries, Miss E. Suisted and Mr W. Blair; committee, Misses G. McKenzie, A. Paul, C. Hay, McKenzie, G. Marshall and Messrs li. Sunley, J. Macrae, D. Gemmell and 11. Hay McKenzie. The formation of hockey, basketball and football teams was decided upon. South Westland Railway. The outcome of the conference at Ross between representatives of the Railway Department, Westland County Council, Farmers' Union and Messrs Stuart and Chapman with reference tu the future of tiie Ross-Waitaha tramway was a recommendation to the Government that it enter into negotiations with Messrs Stuart and Chapman with a view to taking over the tramline and extending it further to the south.