LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1928, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Books issued from the Greymouth Municipal Library during February totalled 1546. Thirty-two tickets were issued and 20 books were placed on the shelves.

A dispute has arisen at Millerton with the result that the mine was idle yesterday. Details of the trouble are meagre, but it has been ascertained that some troble has arisen over a shot which had been placed, but not passed by the inspector. The men contended that it was quite in order.

During this month special March prices in our showroom. Ladies’ cravanet and Gabardine Coats, original prices £5 5/- and £6 6/-; March prices 15/6 and 17/6 at C. Smith, Ltd., Drapers, Greymouth. —Advt.

A fire at Kokiri destroyed the residence of Mrs T. Brooks, about 11 o’clock last night, the cause of the outbreak being unknown. The building was insured for £2OO, and the furniture for a similar amount, all in the Yorkshire Office.

Special Marell prices: Double-bed Plain Unbleached Sheeting, original price 2/6; March price, 1/11 a yard. Also Single-bed Sheeting Unbleached, original price 1/11; March price 1/6 a yard at C. Smith, Ltd., Drapers, Greymouth. —Advt.

Th© bush fires at Karamea are now abating. Rain began to fall on Wednesday night and it was still raining yesterday. The whole district is still covered with a thick blanket of smoke. Serious damage was done to Watson’s flax swamp, some hundreds of acres of flax being destroyed. A good deal of bushland also was destroyed. The danger of further fires is passed for the time being. No buildings were destroyed.

The caretaker of Moutoa Gardens (Wanganui) noticed a. cat on the kerbing of the fish pond wagging its tail and looking intently into the pond. Then he heard a splash when the cat had dived at a fish and missed. The other morning he found one of the fish with its tail partly bitten off. He has now set the feline down as the culprit and the tom-cat of someone in the neighbourhood will be posted missing at an early date.

Paper Goods for the holidays. —Paper Serviettes, 9d and 1/- a packet of 25; Paper D’Oyleys, in three sizes, 12 in packet for Gd, Bd. and 9d a packet; Paper Table Cloths, 30 x 30 inches, three in a, packet for 1/-: Paper Plates in three sizes, 12 in a. packet, for 1/-, 1/3 and 1/6 a. packet; Paper. Cups, in two sizes, 1/3 a packet of eight, and 1/9 a packet of 12; Paper Spoons, in two sizes, 12 in a packet, Gd and 9d. a packet. Large stocks at B. Dixon’s, Tainui Street.—Advt.

The respective merits of concrete and timber poles were discussed by the Waitemata Electric-Power Board. The board has pinned its faith to timber poles, but the Marlborough Board wrote directing attention to its very favourable experience with concrete poles. It was stated that. GOOO concrete poles, varying in size from 26ft. to 40ft., had been manufactured at a total cost of .£30,000. The engineer, Mr F. J. H. Wilson, slated he had written to the Marlborough Board, seeking further information to give a more definite comparison of cost. Mr Wilson pointed out, however, that ironbark poles could be procured in Auckland at a cost of 50 per cent less than that paid, for instance, in the Bay of Plenty district, where concrete poles were used. On the other hand, shingle could be procured in the Bay of Plenty at half the price ruling in Auckland. These factors had to be considered in making a choice between the two classes of poles. He estimated that only 500 poles would be required by the board this year, and the discussion on the type to be used was deferred, pending the receipt of more information. from Marlborough.

When i«s. Greymouth stay at the Hotel Dominion, the sporting and commercial house, one minute from Railway Station, G.P.O. and Banks. Superior service, excellent table. Papers delivered to bedroom with morning tea. Speight’s and Monteith’s Ales on tap. E. J. Kiely, Proprietor.— Advt.

“This delightful hire purchase system,” remarked Mr Cohen at the Supreme Court, Wanganui, “where if I wish to hand the motor bike back I may do so by letting the original owner keep the original deposit, inteiest, hire deposits, etc.”

Authority has been received by the Grey County Council for the expenditure of £lOOO on the construction of the road from Bell Hill junction to Kopara. This authority is the result of representations made by the Council to the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) during his recent visit to Greymouth. -

Tn all the leading 'hotels is now procurable McGavin and Coy’s Oatmalt Stout. This excellent article is now commanding a great sale ,a n d lovers ol a good healthy beverage find it wholesome and invigorating. Gri fen and Smith, Ltd., are the local Agents. —Advt.

“Take the Otira Tunnel,” said Professor B. E. Murphy, of Victoria College, in a lecture on “The Public Finance of New Zealand, at Timaiu. “What did that cost? Some say it cost £8,000,000, but no one knows the actual cost —no one in this wide world or in the water under the earth —1 won’t say anything about Heaven! It is costing £400,000 per annum in interest. Is all the traffic that passes through it worth that? Is the whole blessed West Coast worth that?”

Special reduction for Jubilee Week. Tennis Racquets, 17/6, 20/-, 25/-, 35/to 45/-; Ayres Tennis Balls 4/6 per pair. -Scallywag Sets, 13/6. Inspection invited. A. E. Kilgour, Bookseller, Sports, and Fancy Goods Dealer, Mawhera Quay. —Advt.

There is a dismal prospect for any milkman at Arthur’s Pass, for most households in the mountain settlement have their own milk supply, goats being the providers. At least 11 families rely on goats for milk and appear quite satisfied with the arrangement. In winter the settlement is under snow, so that cows would have to be handled. The goats, however, forage for food in the adjoining bush and invariably put in an appearance at the back door at milking time.

Special reductions for Jubilee Week —Ladies’ and Gents’ Dressing Cases, 12/6, 15/-, 20/-, 25/-, 30/- to 130/-; Manicure Sets 8/6, 10/-, 12/6,15/-, 17/6, 22/6, 30/- to 65/-; Stationery Gift Cabinet 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6, 7/6, 9/6, 12/6, to 25/-; latest ladies’ Handbags, 12/6, 17/6, 25/-, 30/-, 35/- to 45/-. Inspection invited. A. E. Kilgour, Fancy Goods Dealer, Mawhera Quay. —Advt.

It was interesting to watch the byplay between a northern dealer and some well-known local buyers during the progress of the store sheep sale at Wallacetown a few days ago (says the “Southland Daily News”). The northern gentleman is said to have purchased several thousand Southland lambs for forward delivery, and things are not panning out as anticipated,, with thg result that the Jambs are now being unloaded as rapidly as possible. Several lots of these lambs were offered at auction, and in each case a well-known man was engaged to act as dummy and send the lambs along until at a given signal by the owner the dummy retired, and left the lambs to the man, who, no doubt encouraged by the thought that if such a shrewd judge as Mr was prepared to go 23/9 it was safe for him to make it 24/-.

New Shopping Baskets.—Framed Cane Baskets, godd shapes, strong handles, 8/6 each; Jazz and plain colored Hankow Baskets, at 9d and 1/each; Italian Straw Baskets, in jazz colours, 3/6 and 4/- each; New style Cord Bags, large sizes, very strong, suitable for working designs on, 1/9 and 2/- each: Cretonne Bags, with flexible steel handles, 4/6 each. The best value is at B. Dixon’s, Tainui Street.—Advt.

“The increasing saving in infant lives during recent years,” states the Government Statistician in the “Monthly Abstract of Statistics,” “goes a. long way towards off-setting the discouraging aspect of the declining birth rate. In New Zealand the continuous decrease in the number of deaths of infants under one year of age has for some time been a matter of national pride, and the record attained for 1927 may indeed be regarded as phenomenal. The figure of 1078 for the infant mortality statistics- of 1927 is a record for New Zealand, while the rate of 38.66 per 1000 live births has never been excelled. The inclusion of still-births would bring the total births for 1927 to 28,759, and the total infant deaths to 1956. Thus what might be termed the true infant mortality rate works out. at 68.01 per 1000 births. Even this figure is gratifying from a. comparative, point of view, as another new low record is established thereby."

Buy Quality Goods. Compare these values and prices with elsewhere. — Neptune Fountain Pens, 4/G, 7/6, 9/6, 10/6, 12/6, 15/- each. Waterman Ideal Fountain Pens. 25/- each. Onoto Fountain Pens, 21/- each. Lifetime Pens, with a lifetime guarantee, 50/- and 57/6. Tainui Fountain Pens 2/6 each. “The Golden .Coast” Fountain Pen 6/- each.' The Monocrat Pen I/O each. The Coral King Fountain Pen 5/- each-; These are the best, values on the market. Inspect these lines at B. Dixon’s, Tainui Street. —Advt.

The length of time that timber will last when underground and covered from the action of the air was illustrated when excavating the foundations of the Vulcan Buildings at the /corner of Que?n Street and Vulcan Lane, says the Auckland “Star." At. a depth of 15ft. a rimu tree was found which measured two feel ten inches through. What was apparently some form of a club was filso discovered. The presence of the rimu ’ tree in Queen Street goes back io the days when there must have been a. flood down the gully from Grey Street, and no doubt, a swirl of back-water anchored it in the position where it lias just been found. Even since Auckland was founded there was on one occasion a. flood that was caused by a tree getting across the gully and damming back the waters, until there was a. lake about the foot of Victoria Street. A stable was at that time straddled across the creek, and in order to release the water that had backed up, men gofe, to work with a beam and smashed through the walls of the building, thus letting the flood have a free course.

There are very few persons in the world whose emotions are not stirred by music, and there air© hundreds who, when they have heard the gifted musician, have wished to be able to play or sing as well as the one they have listened to. In these days any person can, with a few lessons and tuition, play like the best of musicians. We can both demonstrate and prove this. Call and hear the new Barnard Player Piano. You will realise at once that Paderewski’s attainments are within your reach. This instrument must not be confounded with the cheap thing in the market only suitable for grinding out fox-trots. It has been constructed so as to make a musician of any person who longs to be able to play really well. We give both tuition and easy terms. The Bristol, Tainui Street, Greymouth.— Advt.

“I am sure we shall only be too pleased to receive his resignation with regret,” said a speaker; at a meeting in New Plymouth. It is not recorded that the remark caused any laughter.

A West Coaster’s House —Tattersail’s Hotel, Christchurch, the most central and most popular for accommodation, with W. A. Stapleton as proprietor. —Advt.

The Manawatu and West Coast Dairy Companies’ Association representing 28 dairy companies yesterday recorded its objection to the daylight saving as being incompatible with farming operations, . and urges all M’s.P. strenuously to oppose a re-en-actment of the measure. —Press Assn.

Three pairs Superior Art Silk Hose, plain and fancy for 5/6; single pairs 1/lli. Special 1,000 pair Clearance Sale. See window display. Thorpy’s Ltd., successors of McGruer’s, Greymouth and Rexfton. —Advt.

The Wellington Fire Board received a letter from the Dunedin Fire Board asking support for an appeal to the Government for a refund of the tax imposed on petrol used in lire brigade operations; also for exemption from annual payment of license and other motor vehicle fees. No action was taken, the Wellington Board holding that the whole purpose of the Act was to equalise road’taxation. —Press Association.

Ladies’ Hosiery. Great Bargain Sale, 1,000 pairs, usually 2/11 to 4/11 a pair, now all one price 1/lli per pair, 3 pairs for 5/6. See window display. Thorpy’s, Ltd., successors of McGruer’s, Greymouth and Reefton. —Advt.

During the past few months, relations between St. John’s ambulance brigade and St. John Ambulance Association have been somewhat strained, so far as the administration is concerned. The Brigade members who are subscribing members of the Association have decided to continue in their own sphere of work in future without taking notice of the affairs of the Association. In other centres both bodies work in absolute harmony. The destinies' of the Association and the Brigade in Christchurch, as separate entities, will be watched with interest.

For decorations go to A. E. Kilgour’s:—Dennison Crepe Paper, all shades; World Wide Crepe Paper, all shades; Streamers, Lanterns, Birthday Cake Candle Holders, Birthday Candles etc. Special discount given to committees. —Advt.

“I have issued warnings until I am tired of it. Two men I roped in and handed over to the police for a good scare, because I hate prosecuting any man; but I believe the general public should be warned to use great caution before they give money to unknown and unrecognised persons.” This remark was made the other morning by the Rev. Jasper Calder (says the Auckland “Star”) in regard to “Charity Collectors.” He said that from time to time during the last few months his attention had been drawn to the fact that numerous persons were going round the city and suburban areas collecting money for the poor and unemployed. It was necessary that genuine social workers should be protected from the wiles of unscrupulous collectors, who would readily use the name of any recognised body. In one instance a man obtained money by stating that he was collect ing for the,Auckland City Mission.

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Beard, Liverpool, has issued an interesting publication entitled the “Port of Liverpool, the Gateway of the West.” The pages contain much information regarding the Mersey docks, with plans of the docks and the contiguous railway and storage depots. The let ter press is profusely illustrated. Details of the commerce dealt with at the port are given and convey some idea, of the huge dimensions of the export trade of Liverpool. The growth of the shipping trade for a centurv can be gauged from the statement that in 1757 1371 vessels entered the port against a total of 18,592 in 1927; the tonnage in the latter case was 20,739,163, which affords some indication of the size of some of the “floating palaces” which trade to that port. The maze of railway lines shown on some of the plans gives an indication to the immensity of the railways, which both clear the port and bring in cargoes for export to other countries. A. variety of well displayed advertisements completes -a useful volume.