WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19180, 10 December 1927, Page 4

WEST COAST NOTES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (snciAL TO THB F»IBS.} GREYMOUTH, December 9. The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce met this afternoon. Present: Messrs J. McLean (chairman), W. E. Kettle, A. Naylor, J. W. Grecuslade, L. B. Miller, J. E. Williams, F. A. Kitchingham, P. C. Heaphy, T. E. Coates, and E. MacDonnell.

The Minister for Public Works wrote advising that provision had been made for constructing the Punakaiki and Pororari bridges, on the Grey-Westport Coastal road.

With reference to the proposal of the Crown Lands Department to set aside a resting reserve for Cattle on the Porarari beach, Mr Kitchingham said that the Minister for Lands had written advising the Chamber that its protest was being made without a proper understanding of the position. The leasing of the area in question provided for placing cattle under proper control, and the area would be securely fenced. Mr Kitchingham said he had pointed out to the Minister that cattle being driven from South Westland to the Buller district were in many cases very wild, and although he held a freehold section at Punakaiki he had protested in the interests of the safety of the settlers in the district and their wives and families. The Minister had since issued instructions for the postponement of the sales of leases at Punakaiki in the mean- • time.

It was resolved to thank tho Minister for his decision, and to ask him to set aside the areas in question as scenic reserves.

It was decided to co-operate with other loeal bodies in giving a hearty welcome to Mr L. S. Amery during his visit to Greyniouth. A voto of thanks was passed to Mr L. B. Miller for his donation of £5 to the Cli amber.

The Minister for Railways wrote with rcfercne to the alterations in tho West Coast time-table, stating that tho alterations were made with a view to avoiding the long wait at Stillwater, between the Rcefton train and tho East Coast mail train, and in order to give quicker transport between Reefton and Greymouth. Although the new_ timc-tablo would mean a reduction in time of twenty-two minutes for Reefton passengers visiting Greyniouth, the timo occupied on the journey had also been reduced, and should tend to develop traffic to Greyniouth. Tho letter stated that the journey between Reefton and Greymouth, which in 1925 occupied three hours and thirty had been reduced to two hours and 3o minutes After some discussion it was resolved to leave the matter of replying to the Minister's letter in the hands of the chairman; also that the Department be urged to give consideration to the restoration of the Traffic Managers' Office at Greymouth. State Mines Dispute. Tho dispute between the State Mino authorities and tho executive of the State Miners' Union over the extraction of pillars in the Anderson section of the Liverpool Mino at Rcwanm, which has been referred to the Buller members of the District Miners' Council, reached a further stage yesterday, when, as the result of communications, between the Miners' Union and the Minister for Mines, a visit was made to Runanga by Mr A. H. Kimbell, UnderSecretary for Mines. Mr Kimbell, who was accompanied by Mr James, State Mines Superintendent and other mine officials, met representatives of the Miners' Union executive and discussed tho whole question. When the discussion concluded, Mr Kimbell arranged that the eleven men who refused to work the Anderson seam be given other employment in the. mine, but only on the . understanding that such work would continue until the next cavil, which will take place on or about January 27th, 1928, when the pillar places in dispute must be included in the cavil. This was accepted by the Union Executive representatives present. Mr. Kimbell, accompanied by Mr J. A. C. Bayne, Chief Inspector of Mines, left this morning for Wellington. Kopara Hot Springs. Some interesting information regarding the Kopara hot springs was given by Mr T. E. Coates at the meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. Mr Coates said that if roading facilities were provided to the Kopara springs, they could bo reached from Greymouth in well under two ' hours. The curative qualities of the springs were equal to those at Rotorua. Mr Coates described the Kopara district as a tourists' paradise. Deer were plentiful in the district and the little-known Lake Haupiri, a beautiful sheet of water surrounded by virgin bush, was situated close to the springs. The chairman (Mr J. McLean) eulogised the work done by Mr E. S. Dollimore, officer in charge of the Tourist Bureau, Greymouth, in interesting the Tourist Department in the Kopara Springs and other scenic attractions in the locality. Mr P. C. Heaphy said he understood that the sum of £IOOO had been placed on the Estimates for the extension of the road, and it was only a matter of days when the work would be authorised.

Mr Coates then moved that the Tourist Department be asked for a grant of £3OO to put the track from Lake Haupiri to the Kopara Springs in order. The motion was carried. Hood Damage. With reference to the recent flood damage to roads in the Grey County, particularly in the Kotuku and Red Jacks district, the County Council has been advised by the Minister for Publie Works that the sum of £2OO on.a £ for .£ basis has been authorised towards the cost of the work and is being issued direct to the Council. Tunnel Traffic. Goods traffic sent from the West Coast through the Otira tunnel for the week totals 9003 tons. Personal. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., and Mrs Seddon will return from Wellington tomorrow. Miss May Thackor, who has been spending a holiday as the guest of Mrs W. E. Eeynolds, will return to Christchurch to-morrow. Mr and Mrs J. Ecnton-Watt (nee Miss B. Kettle formerly of Greymouth) who have been residing in Sydney for the past two years, have taken up'their permanent residence in Wellington. Miss Wilhelmina Skogluud arrived yesterday from Christchurch on a visit to friends in Greymouth and will return to-morrow.

Mrs W. E. Thomas, of Sawyer's Creek road, has returned from a trip to Hanmer.

Mr H. Muff (Christchurch) is visiting his sister, Mrs J. C. Gittos, Albert terrace.

Mr S. E. Fay, Operating and Equipment Assistant to the New Zealand Railways, and Mr W. Flanagan, Assistant Locomotive Inspector, arrived from Nelson this evening. They will motor through to Otira to-morrow morning, en route to Christchurch.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

PRIMARY SCHOOLS' ASSOCIATION. A very- successful primary schools' swimming Carnival, promoted by the Baths Committee of the City Council, was held last evening in the Tepid Baths. Some promising young swimmers competed. During- the interval an exhibition of scientific swimming was given by Miss H. M. Cowley and Mr Jack Breward (holders of the diploma of I Koval Life-Saving Society I. Results:— BOYS' EVENT:?. 50yds (hoys under 13) —First heat: F. Jennings 1. S. Jodie -. Second heat: G. Low 1, J. Hunter 2. Final: G. Low (Phillipstov.n) 1, J. Hunter (Fast Christcliurcb) " Width of Bath (under .10) —F. Ovcrend (Woolstou) 1. Two Lengths (over 13) —First heat: L. Newel! 1, L. 'Williams ". Second heat: F. Hamilton 1, D. Lynn '_'. Third heat: N". Mansfield 1. L. Chambers -. Final: Mansfield (St. Albans) 1, Chambers (West Christcliurcb) -. 25yds Breast-stroke (under 13) —First heat: J. Hunter 1, 11. Knsor 2. Second heat: Jv. Breward 1. 11. Francis 2. Final: N. Breward (East Christclmrcli) 1, J. Hunter (East Chrislchurch) '.'. Length of Bath (under 12) —First heat: K. Malcoimson 1, I>. Hammond 2. Second heat: D. Lynn 1, K. Potter 2. Final: K. Malcolmson (Shirley) 1, I). Lynn (Sydenham") 2. Springboard Dive (open)—A. Berry (Phillipstown) 1, 1). Kiach (Normal) 2, J. Geddes (West Christclmrcli) 3. One Length, Breast-stroke (over 13) First heat: L. Newell 1. C. Kbert 2. Second beat: N. Mansfield 1, A. Wright 2. Final: X. Mansfield 1, A. Nowell 2. I Relay Race (open)— West Chrislchurch (L. Chambers, W. Donaldson, J. Geddes, N. Breward) 1, Fcndalton 2, Fast Christclmrcli 3. GIRLS' EVENTS. Two Lengths (over 13) —First heat: M. Truscott 1, M. Dutton 2. Second heat: V. Berry 1. Final: V. Borry (Fcndalton) 1, M. Dutton 2. Length of Bath—First heat: V. Hill 1, E. Yates 2. Second heat: V. Valant 3, I'. Chamborlain 2. Third heat: R. Low 1, E. Berry 2. Final: P. Valant 1, E. Yates 2. Width of Bath—R. Low 1, F. Mnnhirn 2. One Length, Breast-stroke (over 13) First heat: T. Forward 1, J. Laing 2. Second heat: V. Berry 1, T. Morrisscy 2. Final: V. Berry 1, T. Morrissey 2. 50yds (under 3 3) —E. Berry 1, E. Arnold 2, M. Eastwood 3. 25yds Breast-stroke (under 13) —First heat: B. Juriss 1, E. Morrisscy 2. Second heat: B. Brown 1, E. Berry and V. Chamberlain (dcad-hcat) 2. Third heal: R. Covency 1, E. Arnold 2. Final: B. Juriss 1, B. Brown 2, R. Covcney 3. Novelty Event —First heat: V. Borry 1. ,T. Dclahunt 2. Second heat: M. Eastwood T, B. Rnxworthy 2. Third heat: K. Sullivan 1, N. Black 2. Final: V. Berry 3, J. Bolahunt 2. Relay Race (open)—Opawa (J. Delahnnl, K. Sullivan, Mi Brown, R. Covcney) 3, Fcndalton 2, East Chrislchurch 3. Owing chiefly to the very wet weather on people's day, the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's summer show showed a loss of £7oß.—Press Association. -.1