WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20101, 3 December 1930, Page 18

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL. (BPIICXAI* TO THE FBB88.) GREYMOUTH, December 2. Mr T. Otto Bishop, secretary of the New Zealand Coal-Owners' Association, who has been visiting Westport in connexion with the Stockton mine dispute, left to-day on return to Wellington. Mr W. Cuthberfcson, who has been visiting the West Coast, returned to-day to Wellington. Mr G. Perry, Mayor of Hokitika, and Mrs Perry, left to-day on a visit to Christchurch. Mr T. Dwan and his mother (Mrs J. Divan), who have been spending a holiday oil the West Coast, returned today to Ashburton. Miss D. Greenwood, physical culture instructress under the Education Department, is paying her annual visit to the West Coast schools. Customs Revenue. Revenue collected at the Customs House in Greymouth during the past month amounted to £2807 4s -Id, a de- | crease of £959 10s Id compared with that collected in November, 1929. Vital Statistics. During November nine births, ten deaths, and eight marriages were registered at Greymouth, compared with twenty births, fourteen deaths, and nine marriages registered during the corresponding period in 1929. Missing Man. The search for Ernest Manslield Burr is still in progress at Marsden. Paint hopes arc now held that thero will bo any tangible result. Detective-Sergeant «T. B. Young and Detective ,T. J. Hailcrow returned to Cliristchurch to-day. Coursing Club. At a, meeting of the Greymojith Coursing Club, Mr J. D. W'ingham presiding, it was decided to make arrangements for a Plumpton to bo held in Wingham Park, and (o apply to the West Coast Rugby League for leavo to build a track as soon as possible. Reeftou Rainfall. The rainfall for November recorded by Air .Stevens, Director of tlio Itcefton. School of Mines, shows that there were 8.95 inches of rain. The maximum fall was .1.57 inches on the 14th. The Tainfall for November, 1929, was 12.11. inches, tlie maximum fall being on (he sth.

Royal Hotol. The contract for the erection of the It ova I Hotel ;it Grevmouth has been secured by Mr J. A. Hart. The removal of the debris left by tho tiro which occurred on May Ist Jj;is been commenced. The new structure will b' of three storeys, nrid will contain about 40 rooms. The building is to bo completed in six mouths, and is to co->t £ (jf-00. School Committee. The Hokitika High School Committee met last evening. Present: Mr A. C. Armstrong (chairman), Mrs Wilson, Messrs W. H. Shannon, K. J. Pedder, .T. <T. Breeze, P. Chestermnn, W. J:!. Richards. 11. Sweeney > and J. Conning (secretary). The chairman reported that ho had enquired regarding railway passes for children receiving dental treatment. No concession could be granted. The dental officer reported she could not visit Harihari for some months. Mrs Dale wrote resigning her position as assistant mistress at the school after 14 years' service. A minute appreciating Mrs Dale's faithful service was recorded. The secretary of the IJeefton School Committee wrote stating that the Reefton excursion would be held to Hokitika. It was resolved that the committee do all in its power to make tho excursion enjoyable for the children. The Rector (Mr Mcnzies) said that in j no other place had he known the public to support the school as it did in Hokitika. Since he had been there £l6O had been raised through the co-operation of the public with the committee. It was resolved that the annual school picnic be held this year at Blackball.

The sum of £3O vraa voted to Iho , prizo fund. School G-rant;i. The Minister for Education has advised Air H. E. Holland, M.P., that in view of the laudable efforts made bv the Millerton people to raise money for school ground improvements, he had pleasure in making a special grant of £174 for the purpose. Ho also approved of a grant for the cost of providing

woodwork tools for Denniston manual training centre. Otira Tunnel. The amount of coal, timber, and general produce railed through the Otira tunnel last week, from the West Coast, was 9999 tons, compared with 10,721 tons for the corresponding period iu 1920, and 10,664 tons in 1925. Watersider Injured. Hewrez Kirk, a watersider, whilst working on the Kaituna this afternoon, was knocked over and fell into the hold, on to a heap of coal, suffering abrasions and shoek. Me was removed to the Grevmouth Hospital, where his condition this evening is reported to be satisfactory. Tire Board.

Tlio quarterly meeting of the Groymouth Fire Board was held this evening. Present: Messrs W. 11. Partitt (chairman), K. B. Bain, C. L. Green, Perrotti, J. McGinley, and Superintendnet P. Deere. Before proceeding with the business of tlio meeting, motions of condolence were accorded Deputy-Superintendent White, Fireman Pring, and the secretary, in their recent bereavements. Tlio chairman extended a welcome to Mr Pcrrotti 011 his return, after his recent severe illness. The Hokitika Fire Board wrote inviting the Grey Board to join with it in indenting hose. It was decided to rofer the matter to the Superintendent, Mr Green pointing out that a considerable saving would bo effected by the Brigades indenting their hose. The Inangahua County Council wrote asking for information regarding tlio upkeep of the Greymouth Brigade, and the means of finance. It was resolved to supply the fullest information. The chairman reported tlio result of tlio recent conference regarding the proposed further reticulation iu the Greymouth Borough. The Borough Loan proposal was now before the Loans Board, and there was every prospect of the loan being carried by the Borough ratepayers. The Superintendent reported that since last meeting the Brigade liad attended six tires, all of which were extinguished before serious damage was done. J(e recommended that a batierveharger be procured, and this was agreed 1 to. The procuring of somo second-hand uniforms, axes, belts, etc., was left; to Messrs Green and Bain, who agreed to interview the Addington Brigade.