Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MAY 27, 1901. COAL CREEK COAL MINE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 May 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MAY 27, 1901. COAL CREEK COAL MINE.

A well-known proverb declares that

“ hope deferred maketh the heart sick.” Such proverb applies to the people of this district in regard to the completion of the Greymouth-Point Elizabeth railway and the opening and development of the mine in connection therewith. We have to go back many months —indeed to the last year, and to the last century—to find recorded in our columns a telegram from London conveying to our readers the supposed joyous intelligence that Sir Edwin Dawes had purchased the railway and coal mine referred to above and that work would be immediately resumed. Days passed and ran into weeks, weeks into months; the year ended and a new century opened. In the fourth month of the present year, and when most of us had begun to look upon the Dawes’ purchase as but a fairy tale, we were by the process of' telegram informed that Mr. Alexander M'Dougall, a gentleman well-known here in connection with these mines in former years, and who had' only been'absent from this colony for three years on a capital-rising mission for the development of the mines, had actually sailed by the Gothic for Now Zealand. Coming along with him were experts who we were led to suppose would proceed with development forthwith. This district has had so many disappointments in regard to the prosecution of this work that it was but natural that the information should be received with some doubt and reservation. Information just to hand fully warrants the suspicion that there will be still further and probably vexatious delays. A London correspondent, after dealing with the question of New Zealand coal nines in general and the Greymou oh-Point Elizabeth one in particular, says:— “ Mr. M'Dougall has succeeded in arranging with a syndicate by means of which the coal mines belonging to the company shall bo worked and fully developed. So far as finances ! are concerned, everything at this end is completed. But Mr. M'Dougall Jins gone out to settle one or two matters with] the Government, and on his arrival in the colony ho will be

met by exp 4- sent out by the syudi- j cate, who will report to the principals boro. I am assured in the best quarters that business is meant, and 1 h i t plenty ox capital will be available ; -uuakl every wring in the nature of negotiation be settled satisfactorily. Of this there seems to be little doubt in influential quarters in London. And if British capital can be interested in one coal mining district in New Zealand, so it could be in another.” Mr McDougall, or the Company with which he was connected, has received very many concessions from the Government —concessions that have been more in the interests of the Company than of the district and colony. These concessions have very seriously retarded the development of the coal raining industry in this district, and now we must admit that we are entirely at a'loss to understand the meaning of the sentence italicized above that “ Mr McDougall has gone out to settle one or two matters with the Government.” The property is a good one, the terms of lease with the Government are good enough in all conscience, and the authorities, if they study the interest of the colony and the people thereof, will grant no further concessions; but will, in the event of work not being commenced by the Ist of July, cancel the lease and develope the property as a Stategoing concern. Of course we should be pleased to see the introduction of English capital to develope the mine, but the delays have been so long and the concessions so many in the past that any further extension of time or concession should not be entertained.

Tenders arc invited in our advertising column for the excavation of dam for the Commissioners Flat Gold Dredging Company.

A public meeting will be held in WalIsond Hall this evening at seven o’clock to deal with the coal-mining industry and statements made in connection therewith.

Capt. Thompson, harbourmaster at Okarito, reports the finding of a ship’s rudder on the beach some miles smith of that point.

The Gazette notifies that the name of Martin Bowe, of Charleston, has been removed from the Commission of the Peace.

The entries for the next practical examination in music in connection with Trinity College of Music London, close on Saturday June Ist. This examination will be conducted by Mr Alfred Mistowski, Musical Bachelor. Wo understand that the Sanitation Committee appointed at last meeting of the Borough Council intend in conformity with the new Act to make a general inspection of the town and enforce the sanitary precautions. From all we can learn a large number of back yards and lanes will require a good deal of cleaning up. The Chinese are arranging for the removal of their dead from the Greymouth cemetery to China. The work will be commenced this week. The remains will be hermetically sealed in lead coffins and shipped by an early steamer.

We much regret to announce the death of Mrs Allen, wife of the worthy secretary of the Harbor Board. Her death was unexpected. She was engaged in hanging out some clothes when she suddenly fell down and expired from heart disease. Much sympathy is expressed for Mr Allen in his bereavement. The deceased was one of those kindly souls the world can ill afford to spare. A full rehearsal of orchestra, chorus, etc, of “Cinderella,” will takeplace at 7-30 p.m this evening, and as the time is very limited everyone is expected to attend early. Owing to the bad weather prevalent on the coast the monkeys which were expected by the Wainui were transhipped at Westport and so may be looked for per Haupiri to-day. The Premier is distributing copies of the volumn in which his journoyings in the South Sea Islands are described. The book contains maps and numerous illustrations. It is of octave size, and of moderate bulk, and is bound in red cloth.

The census returns shows that the excess of females over males in the Wellington city and suburbs is only 309. Last census, in 1896 was 362. \ It needs Lord Byron’s brilliant pen, His clever, brainy head, To tell us how and why and when Some people are not dead. But since lie’s gone we’ll tell the way. How good health to assure, And colds and hacking coughs allay, Take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.

WADE’S WORM FIGS are more effective and not unpleasant; most children thrive after taking them. Price 1/WADE’S TEETHiNG POWDERS for babies are soothing, reduce fever and prevent blotches. Price 1/-