LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1934, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Petono and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board has decided unanimously to restore 5 per cent, of the 10 per cent, cut imposed on the wages of the staff in June, 1931. The cut also applied to members of the Board, who will share in the restoration. —Press 1 Assn. ’ Several large bunches of arum lilies were noticed in the possession of passengers who left by to-day’s express for Christchurch, while there were more of the flowers in the guard’s van. The lilies find a ready sale in Christchurch, the price being about threepence each. Residents of Greymouth are advised to take precautions to guard against thieves. It is reported that one lady, while in the rear of her house, lost a five-pound note, which was extracted from her purse, which was left in the bedroom. The front door was left open, thus giving the thief an opportunity to enter the house.

Rooting about on top of the coal cargo aboard the motor-vessel Ngahau, now in the Grey River, a white pig caused interest to passers-by this morning. He was not a mascot, but the next Christmas dinner for the crew. He was feeding on coal this morning, and. one of the crew said he had previously eaten a. boot, which suggests that he is going to be a tough porker if his constitution stands up to coal till ho is wanted for the Christmas dinner.

There was a mild “carnival” spirit on the platform at the Greymouth railway station, this morning, when the express left for Christchurch. Confetti, streamers, and loud cheers called attention to the departure of the West Coast representative women’s hockey team, to compete in the Dominion tournament at Christchurch while the two Soccer teams from the Otago Boys’ High School left on their return journey to Dunedin. Included in the farewells to some members of the latter were fervent kisses from some girl friends.

The Greymouth Borough Council has received the following letter from Dr R. A. Shore, of the Department of Health: “In reply to your letter of August 9, I have to advise that the question of holding (a. special departmental enquiry into the management of the Grey Hospital has already been represented to the Minister, to whom various allegations had been made by Mr F. L. Turley, a member of the Board. Before a decision is made, however, the Grey Hospital Board is being given an opportunity of commenting on Mr Turley’s allegations.”

Seventy-seven applicants for relief, from Greymouth and Cobden, were each granted the usual parcel of foodstuffs, at yesterday’s meeting of the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Committee. In addition, assistance was given in some cases of sickness. Donations received during the past week included one pair of men’s boots, one pair of women’s shoes, two parcels of women’s clothing, and six packets of oats. Bread and cakes were received from Messrs Robertson, Shannon and Glen, and Blanchfield. The boot-repairing department dealt with 18 pairs of footwear, the value of the work being £5.

A few months ago it looked as though New Zealand would be represented bj r half a. dozen brass bands at tlie Victorian Centenary contest at Ballarat. Among the br.nds mentioned as “probables” vzore the St. Hilda. Band (Dunedin), the Queen Alexandra Band (Wanganui), the Port Nicholson Silver Band f Wellington), and the Woolston Band (Christchurch). It is now certain that of all these the Woolston band is the only New Zealand band that will face the judge at Ballarat. That band, under Mr. Estall, is to leave for Sydney about October 14, and will proceed at once to Ballarat, where the contest is to take place during the first week of November.

With a -splendidly timed left uppercut, a young “lady” knocked down a young man, in Greymouth, early this morning. It happened near' the railway goodsheds, at about one o’clock. The “lady,” who was returning home from a fancy dress ball, held in Holy Trinity Hall, is a well-known young GreymoutA man. He was walking smartly, despite high-heeled shoes, when he was accosted by a man coming from the direction of Blaketown. “Hello baby! You’ll do me,” he said, as he prepared to bar “her” progress. His surprise can be imagined, for without hesitation, the young "lady” delivered the upper-cut that toppled over the molester. He then scrambled to his feet, and made off, well satisfied that the women of Greymouth, were more manly than he. 1

Men of the world, men with education, who have travelled widely, and men with a natural good taste, all say “Dewar’s Please!” For many years past Dewar’s Imperial Whisky has held a record for absolute purity and quality that has never been excelled and to-day, this famous brand is undoubtedly the most popular spirit on the market. Griffen and Smith, Ltd., Agents, Greymouth, Hokitika, . and Westport.—Advt. A meeting of creditors will be held at Greymouth, on September 6, in the estate of Daniel Dennehy, junior, of Barrytown, sawmiller, who has been adjudged bankrupt. Rather than see a stowaway who secreted himself on the Wanganella before the vessel left Sydney, be handed over to the officers of the law on arrival at port, the passengers took round the hat, and collected enough for his fare. As the result when the Wanganella arrived at Wellington yesterday, the stowaway, a New Zealander, was able to walk off the gangway as free as any of the other passengers.—Press Assn. Buller and Grey basketball teams, who played valiantly but unsuccessfully, tied for the wooden spoon at the Championship tourney held at Dunedin,. Coast brought back the spoon with them and holds it for six months —then passes it on to Buller, which holds it for the succeeding six months, and takes it back to the locale of the next championship, which will be at, Wellington. The wooden spoon bears the names of the winners. As a Coast, -player jocularly remarked, “We brought something back with us; it. was more than many of the other teams did.” “Saturdays used to be a quiet day for clergymen, and the evenings of that day were usually spent in seclusion or for the next day’s work,” remarked a prominent Auckland clergyman, when arranging for two weddings to be celebrated on a Saturday evening. Tuesdays, or early in the week, used to be a favourite time for weddings, but fashion in this regard had changed a good deal, and Saturday was rapidly taking pride of place. amongst a certain section of the community for getting wed. These weddings seemed quite popular, too, with the public, and when held in the church were very largely attended. There were still a few old-fashioned ministers who frowned on Saturday weddings just as they frowned on Sunday funerals, but ministers, like < all other ipeople, had to sink their own feelings and bow to the inevitable. The annual report of the officer-in-charge of the Greymouth Police District (Inspector Lopdell) which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday, states that in February last, the Dunollie station was closed, and Runanga station opened. The change was brought about to suit the convenience of the Department. Offences return for 1933 showed a total of 893 offences against 1098 in the previous year. There were slight fluctuations which were usual from year to year. The largest item was the decrease in licensing offences of 152, due to the scarcity of money and to increased police vigilance. The conduct of police in the district had been excellent there being only one defaulter during the year. The statistics contianed in the report of Commissionei* W. H. Wohlmann show offences reported to the police during 1933 totalled 33,302, as against 35,368 for the previous year, a decrease of 2,066. The proportion of offences to population was 2.15 per cent, as against 2.3 for the preceding year. —“Star” Special Service.

The West Coast wolnen’s representative hockey team left by to-day’s express for Christchurch, to compete in the Dominion tournament, which will commence on Saturday. The team is as follows: Mrs A. H. McKane (vice-captain and chaperone), Mrs Higgins, Misses M. Little and N. McGrath (Mawhera), Misses O. Stapleton (capt.), R. Stapleton, O. Stapleton, T. McMullan (Rovers), I. Tulloch, J. and E. Collett, M. Hughes, J. Hall, P. Dowell and E. Howat (Hokitika). The team will play in the B section at the tournament, and will meet the following teams: — First day, Ruahine; second day, Eastern B; third day, Canterbury A; fourth day, Akitio. The West Coasters are expected to return on September 11.

Plans for a settlement on Sunday Island, the largest of the Kermadec Group, are being finalised in Auckland. The larger' part of the island is a bird sanctuary, but a property known as Bell’s section is privately owned, and it is on this that it is proposed to establish a farming settlement. A Sunday Island Association has beeu formed, and also a company which is negotiating for the purchase of a vessel to run a regular service to the island from Auckland. It is understood that some twenty people are.awaiting a ship to take them to the island, where they will take up an area of about 360 acres. The island was occupied in 1878, and for some years afterwards by T. Bell and family, and attempts at settlement were made in 1926 by C. H. Parker and two others, but Parker died of blood poisoning.— Press Assn.

You buy with confidence when you purchase Towels at C. Smith, Ltd., who are showing a range second to none for variety and value. Here you will find strong serviceable Towels in stripes and checks for everyday use at 1/9, 2/9, 3/11, 4/6 per pair, also the very latest in novelty guest Towels at moderate prices. See window display.—Advt.

To make the home beautiful and comfortable. Artistic good quality upholstery of wonderful value always ready to adorn your home. Give White’s your order; and comfort and beauty will be yours. S. Burnett White, West Coast’s High Grade Furnisher.—Advt.

New Books at B. Dixon’s, Ltd.— “Stabilised Money,” by Field 1/6; Radio Calls of the World,” 1934, 1/-; “Forty Years for Labrador,” by Grenfell 9/6, postage 6d; “Three Men and Diana,” by Norris 7/-; “The Half Open Door,” by Albanesi, 7/-; “The Free Fishers,” by Buchan, 7/-; “The Secret Adventure,” by Binns, 7/-, postage 3d; “The Ivory Spires,” by Boreham, 7/-, postage 4d; “A Vagabond of the Bush,” by Boreham, lOd, postage 2d.—Advt.

Books on Dogs.—“ The Cocker Snaniel,” “The Pekingese,” “The Sealyham,” “The Alsatian” 3/6 each, postage 3d; Cheap editions at 9d each, postage Id, of “Violas and Pansies,” “Border Carnations,” “How to Prune,” “Antirrhiniums and Penstemons,” “Rabbit Keeping,” “Canary Keeping,” Procurable at B. Dixon’s, Ltd—Advt.