LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 December 1934, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

As a. result of a raid by tbe police at Westport yesterday, charges under the Gaming Act. will be laid against some Westport residents.

Mr. G. V. Hudson, Karori, reports that a fresh group of sun spots has broken out since Sunday. This makes two groups in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern hemisphere of the sun. The present indications distinctly point, to a termination of the solar minimum.—Press Assn.

A contract for the erection of barracks at Fort Dorset, Seatoun, has been let to the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd., for £15,460. The barracks will comprise a wooden twostoreyed building for the housing of 80 men Work will be commened immediately after the New Year. — Press Assn.

Official transport returns at Wellington show that almost one-fourth of the city’s total population of about 132,000, went out of town for the holidays, and for picnicking trips during Christmastide. Twenty thousand people travelled by train, close on 4000 by steamers, and over 10,000 by motor vehicles. These numbers do not include exceptionally heavy suburban traffic since Saturday.— Press Assn.

First ascents of Mounts Jackson, Barron, Baker, Simpson, Hickson, Knowles and Dundas, second ascents by new routes of Mounts Welch and Kitson, and a second ascent and first traverse (ascending and descending by new routes) of Mount Ward were made recently by a party of three mountaineers, Messrs. R. Scott Russel! (Otago Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club and Canterbury Mountaineering Club), Christopher Johnson, and J. Dawson (Otago Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club) during a successful climbing trip in Lake Ohau region.—Press Assn.

Slight damage was caused to a carriage on the race train coming from Hokitika, when it was struck by the engine of a south-bound train •at Awatuna, where the trains were crossing. The long race train was on the main line, and the other train, bound for Hokitika, with passengers for a swimming carnival, was on the loop line. The race train had not quite cleared the points when the engine of the train on the loop line reached them, with the result that the engine touched one of tbe carriages on the axle-box. The carriage was lifted slightly, but the engine was stopped immediately, and the car was not pushed over. The damaged car was put off at Awatuna, but there was a delay of only about 10 minutes.

■ The tendency to pile luggage, especially camping gear, on the front bumpers of motor-cars in such a manner as to obscure the front number plate, was the subject of a warning issued tyy the Automobile Associaition/ The association said that this was a breach of the motor legulations, and urged/ members to watch this matter before setting out on holiday tours. The association has been advised by traffic authorities that number plates must be kept clear, and that offenders in this respect are likely to be prosecuted. Piled, suitcases on the rear carrier also need careful watching in case the back 'number is obscured.

A widely held belief that magnetism in a person affects a wrist-watch was not supported when the opinion of a leading jeweller was sought by the “New Zealand Herald.” “I have never known such a case in a. long experience of regulating and remaning wrist-watches,” he said. ‘‘Some people are inclined to.imagine that the running of a watch is influenced by themselves, but trouble can generally be attributed to some fault in the mechanism. Correct timekeeping is largely a matter of perfect balance in the oscillating wheel. If a person possessed magnetism he would he able to pick up light metallic objects in the same way as a magnet does.”

During the Christmas week just, passed, Post Office officials .were much busier than during similar rush peiiods for some years past. This year particularly, the whole of the telegraph staff worked throughout Chi istmas Day, and this has not been necessary for some years now. Similar action was necessary at Runanga. For the period, December 16, to December 24, inclusive, 4,969 toll calls were put through Greymouth, an increase of 744 calls over the number for a similar period last, year, when it was 4,225 calls. In all, 13,874 telegrams were handled, as compared with 12,447 telegrams during the corresponding period of last year, an increase of 1.427 ■telegrams. The amount ‘of business exceeded all the expectations of the Post Office authorities, and there were similar experiences at most other offices on the Coast.

Say “Greetings” with Luvisca Pyjamas and Shirts. Men appreciate such practical gifts of lasting quality. Note the new low prices: Pyjamas are now 17/6 and Shirts with two matching Collars 11/6 only at C. Smith, Ltd., the store for men’s gifts.—Advt.

Picnic Goods. Picnickers why break your crockery when Paper Goods will serve your purpose equally as well! Picnic’Plates in four sizes, 9d, 1/-, 1/3, 1/6 a packet of 10. Picnic Cups in two sizes 1/3 -and 1/9 a packet of twelve. Picnic Spoons in two sizes 6d and 9d a packet of 12. Paper Serviettes in white 1/- for hundred. Fancy Borders 9d a packet of 25. Picnic Table Cloths 30in by 30in, 2/6 a dozen at B. Dixon’s, Taimii Street.— Advt.

Paper Goods for the holidays and Festival. Paper Festoons 6d, 9d, 1/each. Bon Bons with Paper Caps 1/3, 1/6, 2/-. 2/6, 3/-, 3/6, 4/6 a dozen. P-aper Streamers assorted colours Gd a packet. Cake Frills 4d, 6d, Sd, 9d each. Paper Gd, Bd, 9d a packet. Lunch Papers 3d packet. Crepe Papers all colours 3d, Gd, 9d roll. Confetti 3d Tube. Celefabric Table mats in colours 30 in packet for 2/6 at B. Dixon’s, Tainui Street.— Advt.

New Books at B. Dixon’s Ltd., Tainui Street. “The Fight for the Ashes 1934,” by Jack Hobbs 12/6, postage Gd; “Ma Cinderella” by Harold Bell Wright 7/-, postage 4d; “Scotch Broth,” by Anne Hopple, 7/6, postage 6d: “The First Class Omnibus,” edited by Helen Gosse, 8/G, postage 6d: “The Great Victorians,” edited by Massingham 10/6, postage 6d; “Science To-day,” '.arranged by Sir Arthur Thompson 10/6, postage 6d; “Handbook of Music and Musicians” 5/-, by Wharton-Wells, postage 4d; “Great Stories of Human Courage,” by Odle, 8/6, postage 6d.— Advt. j

High Carnival of Cheery Greetings. The age-old custom of goodwill toasts, and so Dewar’s Imperial Whisky, cheery as Santa himself —festive as the happiest revels of the y e J? r ’ Dewar’s will assuredly heighten the joy of this Yuletide season. It 1S thoroughly aged and correctly blended, achieving an exquisite balance, and a flavour goodness that is the foundation of a perfect whisky. Messrs Griffen and Smith, Ltd., agents, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Westport.— Advt.

Blackball experienced some welcome rain from 1 p.m. till about 3 p.m. yesterday, but hardly sufficient to assist the many prospectors in the locality, to any great extent. The rain was accompanied by thunder and lightning, but there was little rain in the hill country around Blackball, the downpour being centred over the. 'township itself.

An important film deal was completed last week between Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Ltd., the Fuller-Hay-ward Theatre Corporation Ltd., John Fuller and Sons, Ltd., and their associates. In view of the many changes that have taken place in the cinema sphere in New Zealand during the last few months, the deal has been anticipated with considerable interest and speculation by both exhibitors and distributors alike. Tlie whole of the Fuller-Hayward circuit is concerned, which means that the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer product will receive Dominion-wide representation.

“Give Practical Gifts.” says S. Burnett White. ‘Round-the-Home Week’ has 1 been planned for the purpose of giving ideas and great values for those seeking gifts of comfort. —Advt.