SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 January 1903, Page 3

SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES.

(West Coast Times.) The scow "Yho" was ratber unfortunate in getting blocked in at Okarito, but it is to be hoped lihe will have a successful run, as the development of the silver pine industry depends .to a great extent on how she prove § workab'e. A large extent of silver pine and totara country exists between Boss and B.uce Pay, and also flax, which could be shipped at a profitable price, "were is possible to get the material away.

All the shearing south is now completed and owners are busy carting so as to have the wool shipped at the first opportunity.

There is a lot of road work and track making going on, in fact more than at any period since the days of Clark and Ryan.

The Saltwater Dredging Co. have their pontoons launched, and the contractors are busily engaged erecting the machinery It is not all on the ground yet, but I understand th3' scow Yho will land the balance on the beach during the present week, so that it Bhou'd not be long ere a dredge of the latest design in gold saving appliances, &■}, will start on a beach which is said by old and trustworthy miners to bi one of the best; for working on the West Coast.

The Waiho "Blow Up" claim has again started after the holidays, and is working two shifts. As this is a London Coy their returns aire not known, but it is to be hoped that for the good of South We3tland, as well as the shareholders, the property is proving payable. Mr L. Phillips is busy uncovering and removing the engine belonging to the old Three Mile dredge.-which is, I am told, to be removed and placed on the Montezuma claim near Hokitika. Several pattbs are working on the Oemeroa, Waikupuka and Wataroa, with what results is is impossible to tell, but it shows a healthy inclination on the part of miners to strike out and develop new country. It is to be hoped the Premier's statement, that the mining rules will be altered and a living wage givm, will be put into force, as this would allow men to prospect our back and outlandish country. Times are not-now what they used to be, and storekeepers cannot afford to stand by patties, and very few have the means to go on their own. This being the case I think it is only right that the Government should step in and help the miners to develop our mineral resources.