OUR NELSON GREEK LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 November 1901, Page 2

OUR NELSON GREEK LETTER.

(OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

A meeting of the sleeper cutters of Nelson Greek wss held on Saturday, Nov. 2nd, Mr W. Barrow in the chair. The following resolution was passed and sent to the member for the district:—• " Would you kindly draw attention of the Government to the fact that sleepers are being taken from other colonies, and that we cannot obtain orders. Having no notion of orders being stopped we cut away as usual, and have now thousands waiting for orders. Want of orders will mean throwing a number of men out of employment. Can you get us orders that we may obtain some money before Christmas ?"

It was pointed out at the meeting that besides a royalty of 2d a sleeper, it cost cutters between £6 and £7 a year to get a right to cut on 20 acres. [Reckoning that average bush went 2,500 sleepers to the 20 acres, sleeper cutters were really paying Government close on 30/- an acre revenue annually. Seeing that the sleeper cutting industry on the Coast is so im« portant and pays so much revenue it would be much fairer for Government to give them the preference instead of im« porting sleepers from other colonies. It was resolved to ask those engaged in the industry on other parts of the Coast to move in the matter also. The annual ball in aid of the funds of the Grey River Hospital took place on Friday night and proved a great success. The room was crowded, and dancing was indalged in till an early hour. Excellent music was supplied by Miss M. Algie, while Mr E. Olsen as MC. was all that could be desired. A number of visitors were present from Greymouth and sur« rounding districts, and all agreed that ihey spent a most enjoyable night. In fact, it was one of the pleasantest and most enjoyable dances held in Nelson Creek for years. The takings were very good, and when everything is settled the Committee should have close on £4O to hand over to the Hospital. Great credit is due to thoae who helped to make the affair fie great success that it has been.