LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 March 1934, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

It was reported on the arrival of the steamer Tees at Lyttelton to-day, that the fishermen’s strike at the Chathams has been settled, after lasting three weeks. The dispute was over the rate of payment. The men resumed at the old terms—Press Assn.

Although they do not expect to find gold there, much fossicking is carried out regularly, by men and boys, at the dump used by merchants and the Borough rubbish carts, near Victoria Park. Old metal, wood, lead, and articles of all sizes and shapes, are turned over, and taken home by the fossickers. It was stated to : day, by one of the youths searching there, that many articles that can be turned to good use, and on occasions to good value, are found.

The situation in 'the Pahiatua district, as a result of the damage caused bv the earthquake, was discussed at a meeting of Cabinet. The Minister of Lands, whose electorate includes the town of Pahiatua, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, visited the district on Monday last and heard representations from a committee of citizens. At the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister stated that it had been decided to ask local bodies in the district affected to collect information in regard to losses so that, the Government would then be in a position to consider the question of what assistance should be given. Press Assn.

An unusual position arose in the Warden's Court at .Greymouth, to-day. The Inspector of Mines (Mr E. J. Scoble) proceeded against Alexander Bovd, formerly of Dobson, and now of Christchurch, alleging that, at Graymouth, on October 24, Boyd made a false statement in a gold-dealer’s book. The Warden (Mr H. Morgan) pointed out that Boyd had the right to trial by jury, and he should be present in Court. The case could not be gone on with in his absence. Mr Scoble asked that a warrant should be issued for Boyd’s arrest. The Warden said he would adjourn the case for a week, and would look into the question of whether there was power to issue a warrant. If so, one would be issued.

The whereabouts of five young men, Edward Howatt (Cobden), Robert Groom (junr.), Bruce Steel (of Greymouth) ,and two Tibbles Bros. (Maori Creek) caused their relations some anxiety last night, and this morning, when they failed to return from a deer-stalking trip to the Kopara back country. The party left Greymouth on Saturday evening, and were to return last night. However, they failed to put in an appearance, and enquiries made, of Kopara settlers late last night, and early this morning, gave no reassuring news. Late this morning, word was received that ‘the party were all safe, they having spent the night in the mountians, owing to a heavy fog, which settled over the mountains in the early afternoon, making travelling too dangerous.

Through passengers to San Francisco by the Makura which arrived at Wellington to-day, from Sydney, included three New South Wales Government officials, A. ’ E. Heath, appointed the official representative of New South Wales Government in London, A. W. Welch, private secretary to the Premier of New South Wales, acting in a similar capacity to Mr. Heath, and S. R. Carver, the Assistant State Government Statistician and an economist. Mr. Heath said that the New South Wales Government had discontinued the office of Agent-General in London, and had hoped the job would .be carried through on an all Australian basis. As all the other Australian States retained that position, however, the New South Wales Government had now appointed an official representative, not with the idea of restoring the. old office of Agent-General, but rather for the purpose of reorganisation on the basis of developing trade between Australia and Great Britain. En route to England they will study the Roosevelt plan. Press Assn.

New Books and reprints at B. Dixon’s, Ltd., “Lindy Lou,” by S. Clough; “Comrades of the Storm,” by Kyne; “From All the Seas,” by Shalimar; “The Convenient Marriage,” by Heyer; “The Graces,” by Barrington; “The Old Dagoba,” by Penny; “The Disappearance of Martha Penny” by Vachel, 7/-. Each postage 4d; “Spears Against Us,” by C. Roberts, 4/-, postage 4d. New Western Stories: “The Gold Wolf,” by Bennett; “The Mormon Trail,” by Robertson, 1/6 each, postage 3d.— Advt.

It matters little where you spend your Easter holidays, even at home you can spend an enjoyable time with those genuine old friends, the soda fountain and a bottle of Dewar’s Imperial Whisky, and even if you should go for a short spin a hottie of this fine, old spirit will add greatly to the pleasure of the trip. We say Dewar’s because it is world-renowned for purity and maturity and we know it will be approved by the most critical judge. Dewar’s can be obtained at all leading hotels. Griffin and Smith, Ltd., agents, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Westport.—Advt.

The steamer Maori, undergoing overhaul at Wellington, was to replace the Wahine on the Wellington-Lyttelton passenger service on April 5, but is delayed through engine trouble, and is now laid up indefinitely.—Press Assn.

Trappers and skin buyers will be interested to know that the Grey District Acclimatisation Society has received advice from the Department of Internal Affairs, that an open season will this year be declared for opossum, on the West Coast.

Blackball and Wallsend mines worked to-day, and while Blackball will work the full week, Wallsend will probably be limited to three days. Dobson mine, idle to-day, has prospects for work during the remainder of this week. James mine will be idle all this week, and Liverpool mine will not work before Thursday.

O. F. Nelson, recently sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment for sedition in Samoa, arrived at Lyttelton by the Maui Pomare this morning, under escort, and was taken thence to Paparua prison, where he: stays pending his appeal. When he found a Black Maria was awaiting him, Nelson objected vehemently, demanding that he should be transported in a taxi. He even went to the length of hailing a taxi, but the police and prison regulations were alike adamant, and he was bundled into the Black Maria to make the journey to Paparua.—Press Assn.

It has been suggested in some quarters that a tour of the battlefields of Egypt, Gallipoli, France, and Belgium should be arranged for returned soldiers and their wives who are able to take advantage of it, and with that end in view headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has circularised 'associations seeking information as to the support likely to be accorded such a tour if arranged in the next few years. A similar tour was undertaken in‘ 1928 by the British Legion, a number of New Zealanders taking part, and the cost to each person was from £250 to £3OO.

It goes without saying that the citizens of Greymouth and district will take advantage of the drastic reductions at S. Burnett White’s £6,000 Great Easter Furniture Fair, which commences to-morrow at 9 a.m. —Advt.

“Why didn’t you drive straight for him?” was the query put to a Blenheim motorist when he was recounting an experience he had had with a wandering bullock. Driving through the Kaituna, he had come upon the animal just round a bend, and had made a wrong guess as to which way it would move —with unfortunate results to the car. “Cows always tend to move away from an approaching object,” the man with experience said, “so that if you make straight for them they will get out of your way.” This motorist is storing the information for future use, but informed an “Express” reporter that he ’would rather someone else tried out the plan and let him know if it worked.

To be strapped to the top of a power pole that snapped off at the base was the experience of an employee of the Thames Valley Power Board, Mr. A. Horne, while working on a service line on a farm near Morrinsville. Mr. Horne had mounted the pole to make an adjustment when, without warning, it snapped off and fell,- bringing the wires down, with it. Fortunately the end of the pole fell over a hollow spot in the ground, and Mr. Horne was unstrapped uninjured except for a shaking. The centre of the pole was found to have become rotten, although it appeared sound on the outside.

“The finest school garden in the board’s territory,” was how Mr W. P. Spencer, chairman of the Canterbury Education Board, described the garden at the Moonlight School. Mr Spencer said that at Moonlight there was only a small population, and only a small school, but the work done there was beyond praise. Every kind of vegetable was flourishing in the school garden, which was “saying something” considering the climate and the soil of the district, and there was a fine display of flowers. Residents had combined to provide a fine lawn tennis court near the school and to eradicate the blackberry in the grounds.- He mentioned that theie was also a fine school garden at Barrytown, but he considered the one at Moonlight undoubtedly outstanding.

Since Mr A. (Tony) Anisy disposed of Mr J. Williams in a challenge footrace at Victoria Park, last Friday, he has had to defend his prowess against three other challengers, and on Saturday, at St. Patrick’s Day Sports, he “took to his heels,” and was not caught over a course of 50 yards. Receiving a handicap of 15 yards, he defeated Mr P. Callan. In receipt of 5 yards, he ran home an easy winner from Mr W. Duffy, and to cap his unbeaten record, he accepted 20 yards start from the winner of the Sheffield Handicap, H. Morris, and breasted the tape first. He has another important race pending, with a stake attached, and from the challenger, he will receive one foot start for every year that his age is in excess of that of the challenger’s, a well-known business man of Greymouth. The race will be decided on the Blaketown Beach, at an early date. •

C. Smith’s, Ltd., Greymouth, have landed a. new shipment of seagrass rugs in attractive designs, and colourings, sizes 24x48, 3/6; 27x57, 4/3; 36x72, 6/9; 48x84, 10/6.—Advt.

A large selection of* hard-wearing striped coir matting, always in stock, at C. Smith’s, Greymouth, 18in wide, 1/11; 22|in, 2/3; 27in, 2/9; 36in, 3/6; ready-bound mats 27inx54in. 5/11 each. —Advt.

Hand Books you may want: —“Elocution and Gesture,” by Hasluck, 3/6; “The Art of Public Speaking,” by Bell, 3/6; “Public Speaking,” by Duncan, 1/6; “Elocution and * Voice Production,” by C. M. Cree, 1/6; “The Best Dramatic Poems,” 1/6; “The Best Recitations for Ladies,” 1/9; “The Best Dramatic and Sentimental Recitations,” 1/9; “The Best Recitations for Children,” 1/9; “Sixty Best Humorous Recitations,” 1/6, postage 3d extra each, at B. Dixon’s I td., Tainui Street, —Advt.