WESTPORT-REEFTON RAILWAY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 23 July 1901, Page 3

WESTPORT-REEFTON RAILWAY.

An urgent meeting of the Railway Committee of the Westport Chamber of Commerce was held on Saturday afternoon to consider telegrams received from Wellington from the Minister of Public Works and the member for the district. The communication urged the necessity for the immediate despatch to Wellington of a deputation reapecting the WestportReefton railway connection, in order that the deputation be received before the Financial Statement is brought down. Mr Bayfield (President), clearly placed the matter before the meeting, and it was decided that the President and Vice-President (Mr T. Bailie), proceed from the Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Mayor and County Chairman from the local be lies.

Owing to the present indisposition of the Chairman of the Westport Harbor Board, that body arranged to be represented on the deputation by the Hon. R. Reeves, and Messrs McKenzie and Colvin, M.H.R.’s.

A telegram was forwarded to Wellington stating that the deputation would leave Weatport on Saturday next.

We have to apologise to Mr. Eevington for the non-appearance of his advertisement till this evening as it was unfortunately mislaid. A strange story is told of an American who has made provision in his will for a hundred dollors being given to anybody who will out his thcoat after death. The deceased was afraid that he might be buried alive. He was 92 years old. Lieut-Colonel Robin, who twice met the new commandant, Colonel Henry, in South Africa, describes him as an excellent officer, whose appointment is likely to give general satisfaction to the Volunteers of the colony, Colonel Robin says that in recommending an infantry officer with a mounted atfperience, Lord Roberts took a step in the right direction.

The Victorian Government some time ago invited applications from persons for 1000 vacancies in the railway service. There were 14,000 candidates. Sawmill timber in Wellington has lately gone up with a bound. It is suggested that the Lands and Survey Department, when leasing or licensing forest lands, should impose restrictions as to prices of milled timber.

With reference to the Parliamentary return regarding the peer and beer, an Express correspondent states that 311 gentlemen who prefix “Rev,” to their names hold shares in five of the principal British breweries. There are 178 who hold “Guinness.”

The Auckland Employer’s Association intend to forward the Premier a strong protest against the clauses in the Factories Bill with regard'l to the reduction of the weekly hours of labor to forty-four, the undue limitation of overtime, the inclusion of Labor Day among paid holidays, and the penalty of £IOO provided for in clause 35 bearing on accidents. They point out that the Bill would be disastrous to the boot and other trades, would upset the recent awards of forty-eight hours per week, and would mean a reduction of wages and the encouragement of importing.

Sir J. G. Ward said that, as Minister of Railways, he makes no recommendations for appointment to the railway service. Nominations are invited from members of Parliament in turn as to the filling up of vacancies in the railway service. No two members of one family were appointed to the service. He intended to make a similar recommendation to the Cabinet so far as the other branches of the Civil Service were concerned.