THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 33

THE WEST COAST.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) COAL INDUSTRY. , . May 20. Apprehension is felt in coal mining circles at the action of the Government in importing coal from Newcastle. The Mine M orkers’ Union has sent a protest to the Prime Minister and reminded him of a promise made last year, that no further coal would be imported. The Minister's reply explains that the importations are relatively small, and for storage in open air depots, and will not affect the usual orders for New Zealand coal, of which the Government will continue to take all that it can use of an article suitable for railway purposes. The explanation, in view of' the quantities being imported, does not appear to have satisfied the objectors, and there have been vague rumours afloat of the possibility of a strike. SAWMILLING. M bile the timber industry remains very stagnant, many mills being idle and others working only intermittently, there promises to be a little revival of activity in Australian exports. Three vessels are scheduled to leave Greymouth this month with timber for Melbourne, Sydney. Adelaide, Newcastle, and Brisbane. ’ It is reported that the Timber Association is to cease operations. Owing to slackness in the trade, several millers have withdrawn from it, and the organisation is no longer considered profitable. GOLD MINING. M hen driving a tunnel in connection with the Mount David Sluicing Company’s water race at Ilukarcre a promising reef was struck, samples of which have been sent to the Reefton School of Alines for assay. During the past week parties have been active pegging out claims and filing applications in the Wardens Court. Good prospects are said to have been obtained during the past few months, and areas are being sought for both sluicing and dredging claims. In the Snowy Creek district, particularly, there appears to be a revival of alluvial mining. PERSONAL. Mr J. Lowery, railway stationmaster at Moaiia, is retiring after 40 years* service, and will reside in the district. 'The death has occurred at Hokitika, of Mr Henry Olsen, a superannuated employee of the Railway Department, who came from Invercargill four years ago. Of seven exhibitions offered by Trinity College of Music, Loudon, for the South Island, four have been gained by pupils in Greymouth. One of the successful candidates. Miss Jessie M'Sheriy, is the third member of her family to gain this honour—-the exhibition having been won in previous years by two of her sisters. From eleven applicants for the post of Medical Superintendent of the Westland Hospital rendered vacant by the death of Dr Hopkins, Dr G. L. Wilson, of Southland was selected.

GENERAL. The District Engineer of Public Works, accompanied by the Conimissioncr of Crown Lands, the County Engineer, and the member for the district recently made an inspection of the erosion caused'by the late flood at Ngahere in the Blackball district. A portion of the Grey River had broken through into another stream and become a menace to several farms and a considerable area of other land. A site was selected for protective works, and early assistance from the Government is hoped for. The assistant engineer of Public Works, after a tour of the southern portion of the district, reports the roads to be in good order. The approaches to one of the important bridges, which were recently washed away, are being repaired, and the bridge will be available for traffic this week. About 60 men are at present employed on repairs to the main highway and bridges. Traffic through the Otira tunnel for the past week totalled 10,088 tons, compared with 14,659 tons for the corresponding week of last year, and 12.882 tons in 1929’. A deputation, headed by the Mayor of Hokitika, has waited on the Commissioner of Crown Lands requesting that a portion of ground inspected by Captain MacGregor and considered suitable for an aeroplane landing ground be secured for that purpose. The area was at one time used by the Agricultural Department for experimental purposes, and can be put in order very cheaply. The commissioner undertook to ascertain the department’s terms.

The Hokitika Harbour Board has spent £437 on unemployment relief work, repairing the oid wharf. The harbour is at present in fair condition, there being about lift of water on the bar. and a good straight channel. Air Al. Houston has been re-elected chairman of the board for the ensuing year. At the annual meeting of the West Coast Co-operative Lime Company, held during the week, the report stated that the past year had been the best in the history of the company, a net profit of £447 having been made. A substantial amount of the company’s debts had been paid off. For over a month the district, until last week, had had less than one inch of rain. This is a very rare experience, and while the fine weather is pleasant, it has its disadvantages in a district that has got into the habit of depending on rain. In country places, where householders are dependent on tanks, there has been considerable inconvenience. For the use of the houses at Cobden the Greymouth authorities have •placed a tap in a central position. The water supply at Greymouth has become hard, and samples have been sent to Christchurch for analysis. At Runanga the situation has revived the agitation for a town water supply. During the dry spell water has been carted for domestic use. Some time ago a survey was made for a borough supply, but the cost was considered too high. A deputation is now being sent to the Government with a renewal of the request for assistance, and supplied with alternative suggestions which may lessen the cost. For the month of May, so far, the indications are that it will prove the

driest for several years. For the pastfive years the fall for May in complete inches has been, 6,3, 8, 10, and 11. For two weeks of the month this year it has been less than one inch.