GREY MOUTH NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 36

GREY MOUTH NOTES.

(Faou Oub Owk OoJutxsroHDurr.) GRBYMOUTH. February S. At a meeting of the directors of the Hoe* Goldflelds Company it was reported that Chesterman ana party's contract would be shortly completed, and that the tunnelling and fluming contract would be finished by May next. Plans and specifications for tbe test 6tatioD, etc., were adopted, and it wa* decided to call for tenders for the brick portion of the building. It wm decided to immediately commence the work of dear* ing the old adit or tunnel leading from the pumping shaft. It was decided to leare some important works over until next meet* ing, when Dr Neeley, Hon. J. D. OrmondV and Mr Welch, the other directors of the company, promised to be present. A would-be levanter caused quite a mild flutter of excitement at Otira on Monday morning. A well-known worker had been forcibly persuaded by Constable Thompson not to leave Otira co hurriedly and without the usual send-off being tendered him. Two Otira business men were, however, waiting for him on the Bealey side of the Otira to bid him. bon voyage, *nd at the same time to remind him of some trifling accounts that had apparently slipped his memory. Constable Thompson was also in attendance, and requested the man to stay, a« he was accused of having helped himself to a eilver watoh and gold albert, the property of one Thomas M'Leod. The articles were found in the defendant's do»eession, and he has been brought to Greymouth to see if he can explain matters. _ , . February 13. Labour is coming forward in good quantity for the Denniston and Granity collieries. The management of the Westport-Stock-ton Coal Company hold to the expectation that the Stockton mineral will be ia the market in six months' time. The inoline formation is completed; all the bridges (except that over Mangatine Greek) are built ; rail-laying is proceeding rapidly ; the bin 6 are 'lrojrreasing ; foundations are ready for ma hinery, and the machinery is coming to hand steadily. The only po«eibility of delay is in the supply of the electrical plant, but the manufacturers are under a heavy time penalty. The mine itself is sufficiently developed to enable the coal output in quantity to be commenced immediately-. The haulage connection is made between the ooal faces and the main line of railway at Ngakawau. The Stockton Company's works have made remarkable progress. The company were especially fortunate in eecuring as its managing engineer the most suitable experfi available. Mr Broome's connection with the company is one of its valuable as6et«.

February 14. • Some 40 men have been discharged fronJ the outside works at the State mine. The only reason given is that " the end of the financial year is approaching.''

Two men are engaged prospecting at th« Britannia mine, north of Westport. They have discovered a small lead with a little gold in it. and are following it v up. with tho hope of openiner out something better.

The State briquette works at Westport .".re turning out a considerable quantity o£ eggettcs. which appear to be in good demand in various parts of the Dominion. The egsjettes require much less handling in manufacture than the. briquettes. They are suitable for either household or steam purposes.