LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1935, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Postmen are to be equipped with two sets of uniforms if they so desire. One will be of lightweight cloth and the other of cloth of a heavier weight and they will be worn to suit the weather. This intimation is contained in a letter received by Mr H. G. R. Mason from the Postmaster-General (Mr Adam Hamilton).

Grand Gala, Cobden Domain, to morrow. Sports of all description Civic Band in attendance. —Advt.

The alleged degeneration of the Maori race was the subject; a group of journalists at the Ngaruawahia Regatta the forum. Several had expressed definite views on the subject when they were interrupted by a voluble but apparently well-read Maori: “What right have you to criticise?” he demanded. “Our patriarch was Hongi—you have descended only from Adam and North cliffe.”

Eight teams entered for Tug-o’-war, Cobden Gala to-morrow. More entries invited.—Advt.

During shunting operations on the Greymouth wharf, early this morning, two trucks, one containing drums of petrol and another containing sheep were derailed below the Railways. Goods Shed. Thirteen of the sheep were smothered, as a result of the truck turning over on one side. The animals were immediately bled and taken to the abattoirs.

According to advice received at Wellington, Alfred Hill’s new grand opera, “Australia,” composed during the last three years, will be produced by Sir Benjamin Fuller’s Coy. at Melbourne. The opera, which has never yet been performed in public, will be given an all-Australiau cast. The lead will be sung by Florence Austral. Isolde HiM, the composer’s daughter, will sing the secondary soprano role. —Pr.ess Assn.

The fact that it was a popular idea that hospital and doctors’ bills did not need to be paid was commented on bv Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Timaru Magistrate’s Court, in making an order in a judgment summons case. “Everyone else gets paid. That is the opinion of a certain class of people and it is not fair,” said the Magistrate, who added that lawyers, too, usually had to whistle for their money unless they had security.

A stoiy told by a member of a deputation which recently waited on the Wanganui Ministers' Association with reference to complaints made regarding the administration of the funds of the Unemployment Board, reveals how quick a Wanganui Maori was to counter the story of an officer whe had been sent to a certain pa to make explanations. A distinction is made by the board between Maoris and pakehas in the amount of help given, and this officer was at pains to point out that there was a vast difference in the modes of living of the two races, and laid particular emphasis on how the ancient Maori lived frugally. Quick came the reply from the Native spokesman: “My forefather, he live on te pakeha. How would you like me to cut te steak off you?” With dramatic effect he lent a note of realism to the scene by whipping a long knife from his belt and making appropriate movements therewith.

A fair indication of the general financial position of the Dominion are the figures relating to the postal work of the I’, and T. Department for the year 1934. disclosing increases, some of them large, in every section. The mo.-1 outstanding advance was in connection with letters and letter-cards posted and delivered in the Dominion. Thirteen millions represent the net increase in this business for 1934, compared with the previous year, and the gross figures make a total of 275.0fi3.943. Details from postal districts include: —Auckland 56,000.000; Wellington 45.500.00 n; Christchurch 35.000.000; Dunedin 23,000,000; Hamilton IS,750.000; Napier 13.000,000; Invercargill 12,800.000; Palmerston North 12,000,000. In the parcels business, last year’s total of 3,460,719 parcels shows an improvement of 174.531 over the total for the previous yeas. Book-packages and commercial papers increased by over 12 millions, reaching a total in excess of 107 millions. The cash value of the portage side of the Department's business for 1934 was approximately one million pounds.

In cases of emergency, first-aid is invaluable. In many such cases, a “spot” of Dewar’s Imperial Whisky proves a most-satisfactory pick-me-up. It is not always convenient, however, to carry around a full bottle of whisky, or to procure one at a moment's notice. To obviate this difficulty, the new midget container, known as the “Fainting Lady,” containing three generous nips of the world-famous Dewar’s Imperial, is available at all hotels, and is steadily increasing in The agents are Messrs Griffen and Smith, Ltd., Greymouth, Hokitika, and Westport. — Advt.

The will of the late Mr A. D. Crawford of Miramar, provides a legacy of £5,000 to Victoria College, of which £2OOO is for the benefit of the College library, and £3OOO to be known as the Alexander Crawford Scholarship Fund, for the provision of two scholarships, one science, and the other such other branch the College could enter as the Council may determine. The scholarships are to be awarded to bona .fide residents of Wellington, and will be available to either sex. —Press Assn.

Information as to an English firm having placed before it the results of investigations regarding coal carbonisation possibilities on the West Coast, was obtained at. Christchurch from the Mayor of Greymou'th, Mr. J. W. Greenslade, who is attending the Municipal Conference. He said he was not at liberty, until some conclusion had been reached in the matter, to state either the name of the English company concerned or the extent to which the negotiations had progressed. Resolutions were passed at many meetings on the West Coast expressing confidence that such an industry would prove a success, and emphasising the great impetus that its commencement in New Zealand would give the coal mining industry.—Press Assn.

Come and see the West Coast amateur athletes in action at Cobden to morrow.—Advt.

Thousands of gallons of water went up in die air, and fell on Boundary Street, last evening, ■ when the Greymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade gave a display, in connection with Fire Prevention Week. The Dennis engine pumped water from the river, and it was distributed by three leads. A further three leads were run off the .main in Boundary Street. The pressure threw the water high into the air, and it was estimated that approximately 900 gallons of water per minute came from the six leads. The waterpressure from the main was llOlbs. to the square inch, demonstrating the improved fire-fighting facilities afforded by the installation of the new main. There was a muster of sixteen members of the brigade, who ware in charge of Superintendent P. Deere. The demonstration was witnessed by fairly good attendance of the public, but few people availed themselves of the invitation to inspect the Central Fire Station.

The apparently sudden appearance of a pinnacle of rock out in the fairway at the Napier harbour was reported at this week’s meeting of the Harbour Board. The Marine Department wrote stating that the vessel Waipiata, when . leaving Napier on February,'9, touched bottom while on Che line leads and 35 cables distant from the front beacon, and asked for a report on the matter. The chairman, Mr E. J. Herrick, said that the Waipiata struck a submerged rock, which had since been located and buoyed. As soon as-possible it would be removed, though the weather had interfered with the work so far. Mr Herrick suggested that the matter should be referred to the Works Committee. “It is a very serious matter that we should suddenly be confronted with a rock at a point where our charts are showing 19 feet of water,” he said. In reply to a question by Mr R. McLean, Mr Herrick said that the area was swept in 1932. at which time there was no trace of the rock. In the meantime, the Marine ‘ Department had been advised and had issued a warning to shipping.

What he called “that mysterious instrument, Order-in-Council,” was referred to by Mr 11. G. Hall in an address at .Matamata, when he said that more and more rules not sanctioned by Parliament, and even alterations to the Education Act, -were made by this process. Such Orders-in-Council simply gave the view of the Minister of Education or of the Director of Education, said the speaker. He ’was not saying they had abased this power, but it was a power which would be better vested in a Council of Education, ns was proposed. He then quoted the following clause in the Act: “The Governor-General may make such regulations as he thinks necessary or expedient for avoiding anv doubt or difficulty which may appear to him to arise in the administration of the principal Act by reason of anv omission or inconsistency therein, and all such regulations shall have the force of law, anything to the contrary in the principal Act notwithstanding.” Such a clause, said Mr Hall, would suit Hitler, who could not wish for anything stronger. .

Your home should come first. Buy your furniture and furnishings from White’s. The women folk and the men too, will get no end of pleasure for years to come from a tastefully arranged home. White’s have tne goods, and it is your loss if you do not take advantage of them. S. Burnett White, West Coast’s High-grad< Furnisher. —Advt.

Annual Sale Lines. Boxed Stationery slightly soiled 8/6, 7/-, 6/-, now 1/6, 1/- box. Compendiums 2/6, 2/-. now 9d and 6d. Fancy China Plates, Dishes, Ornaments, Jugs. Teapots, Cups and Saucers, etc., all reduced regardless of cost to clear at B. Dixon’s Annual Sale. —Advt.

Have you seen the new Special Duality 3Gin Sand Crepe ar C Smith’s. This lovely soft fabric drapes beautifully and at 1/9 yard is without doubt the best value offering to-day. The shades include schooner blue, icing pink, boat blue. Inca brown, bronze gold, lemon. cream, wine leaf, beige, helio, black, etc. Remember only at C. Smith, Ltd. —Advt.

Special Sale Prices for Ladies' Hair Brushes, Brush Sets, Toilet Goods. Scents, Fancy Soaps. Compacts, Powders, Jewel Cases. Leather Purses, Bath Salts, all at below cost price to clear at B. Dixon’s Annual Sale.-— Advt.

Knitting is fascinating and economical with the new wools • now show at C. Smith's. Note the new low prices for this season. 3 and 4-ply New Zealand Wools all 7Jd skein; 4-ply Paton and Baldwin’s lOJd; 3 and 4-ply Beehive Scotch fingering 1/-; Beehive double knitting 7Jd: Halcyon nrn-shrink 6d’ Scintilla 4-ply 61; Woodpecker Knop Yarn 2oz. hanks, 6d etc. —C. Smith Ltd. —Advt. J