WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18901, 17 January 1927, Page 5

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL. (SPECIAL TO THS PWEgg.) GREYMOUTH, January 16. Mr Gordon McKay, of the National Electrical Engineering Company, Ltd., who is directing operations in connexion with the electrification of the Blackball mine, returned from Christchurch by yesterday's express. Mrs W. Selby (Auckland) arrived in Greymouth by yesterday's express, on a visit to her sister, Mrs G. Webster, High street. Mr and Mrs J. C. Gittos returned yesterday from a visit to Christchurch. Messrs H. W. Kitchingham and D. H. Roberts were among the inward passengers by yesterday's express. Mr and Mrs D. o 'Sullivan, who have been visiting relatives in Grevmouth, returned to Wellington yesterd"ay. Mr F. H. Eggletou (Inspector of Permanent Ways), and Mr J. Mahoney (Foreman of Works) returned from Christchurch yesterday. Miss Edna Tattley, who left Reefton last week to take up.her residence in Auckland, was tire recipient of a manicure set from the members of the staff of Messrs J Wills and Co., Buller road. Mr R, E. Cranston, managing director of the Rknu Gold Dredging Company, is expected to arrive in Hokitika from New York on Tuesday. Sergeant J. Smythe will take up SeniorSergeant P. J. McCarthy's duties at Greymouth during-the absence of the last named at Wcstport on relieving duty. Mr and Mrs Alex. McLaren, who arrived in Greymouth by motor from Gore on Friday evening, proceeded to Reefton yesterday. They leave Reefton tomorrow for Nelson, en route to the North Island. Messrs Howard and McNaughton, of the Otago High School staff, arrived from Nelson on Friday, on a motor tour. They visited Punakaiki and left for South Westland yesterday. They wi}l motor through Otira ou their way to Dunedin.

Mr W. Morgan, District Laud Registrar, Dunedin, is visiting Mitchells (Lake Brunner), and is the guest of Mr and Mrs Morgan. * Mr W. .Green, who is leaving the Matai district, where he has been farming for the past eight years, to take up his residence in Greymouth, was tendered a farewell social and presen-i tation at the Ngaliere Hall last evening, by the members of the Ngaliere Branch of the Farmers' Union. Among those present were residents from Kamaka, Nelson Creek, Blackball, and Ngaliere. During an interval, the president of the Ngaliere Branch (Mr W. Fisher) handed Mr Green a well-filled pocket wallet, which he asked him. to accept on behalf of those present, together with their best wishes, for the future happiness of himself and family. Mr Green replied in suitable terms. Mr D. McKay, who has been on a holiday trip to the Chatham Islands, returned to'-Greymouth last evening. Unemployment. Since the commencement of the New Year there'has been a noticeable increase in . tho number of unemployed about Greymouth. The position has been accentuated as the result of the continued depression in tho simber industry, which has been responsible for throwing a large number of men on the labour market. Although the coal-min-ing industry is very busy the mines are fully staffed, and a number of experienced miners,, who were" formerly erSployed at the Dobson Mine, have gone to Huntly and- other coal-mining districts, in search of employment. ■ Work is very scarce throughout the whole of tho West Coast at the'p*resent time, and the prospects of employment, especially for unskilled labourers, are not by any means bright. Motoring Mishap. Whilo' returning from Kunanga • to Greymouth on )Friday evening, a car containing two. occupants, Messrs W. Gamble and Stewart, of Greymouth, left the road at Coal Creek, toppling over a bank. Gamble suffered injuries to an arm, which are not serious, while Stewart was unhurt. • Tho car received minor damage. . ■ « New Swimming Bath. The swimming bath, which is. in course of erection near Sawyer's Creek is nearing completion. The. bath is being constructed in ferro-concreto and should serve Greymouth as ■ a bathing pool for many years to come. The formal opening of the bath is expected to take place : early in February, after which control will be assumed by the Borough authorities. Snow-Capped Paparoas. . The Paparoa ranges, in the vicinity of Reefton, were snow-capped yesterday, which is regarded as a most unusual occurrence at this time of the year. Smart Arrest. A man named Newman, wanted on a maintenance charge a 1» Christchurch, was arrested at Black's Point, near , Reefton, on Thursday evening by Con- i stables Houston 4nd Hill, who recog- | nised tho accused from a description furnished in the last issue of the i "Police Gazette."' Accused was re- | manded to appear at Christchurch on j January 17th. ■

Mawhera Quay Blaze. It is understood that the whole of the insurances on the stock and buildings of Messrs McGruer and Co.', Ltd., which were destroped by fire on Friday evening, are held, in the Excess Company, an English underwriting firm. They are as follows:—Stock £13,000. buildings £3OOO, fixtures and fittings £7OO. The building wasowned by Messrs McGruer and Co., Ltd., not Mr W. McKay, of Christchurch, as was previously reported, the firm having purchased the premises outright from Mr McKay some years ago. The insurances on the National Bank stock and buildings are held in tho Atlas Office, while those on Messrs Ashby, Bergh, Ltd's premises and stock are divided among a number of the locally represented underwriters. Ashby Bergh's premises suffered damage to a small portion of the roof, whilst stock on the second storey floor was slightly damaged by water. In the National Bank the total damage was a broken skylight and minor damage by water. Fireman A. "White sustained a nasty cut on the hand with broken glass, necessitating the insertion of five stitches. Mr P. Thorpy, local manager for Messrs McGruer and Co., Ltd., was absent in Wanganui, where he was attending a conference of the rirm s branch managers. Bowling.

In a four rink match for the Reynold's badges, played at the Greymouth bowling green yesterday, under perfect weather' conditions, Greymouth defeated Hokitika by a good margin of 30 points.