LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1936, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

With the sun at its highest point in the southern sky, to-morrow will be the longest day, with more sunlight than any other day of the year.

Requests of £5OO each to the New Zealand Society of Crippled Children and the Auckland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have been made by the late Mr John Linnette Harvey, who died at Auckland on December B.—Press Assn.

The Greymouth Fire Brigade was called to Revington’s Hotel about 2.45 o’clock yesterday morning, as the result of passers-by mistaking the reflection from the red Neon light, on smoke issuing from the back chimney of the hotel, as an outbreak of fire.

Passenger traffic between Greymouth and Christchurch has become increasingly heavy during the past few days, but has not reached more than the usual Christmas height. On Saturday, the two morning trains from Greymouth carried 292 passengers, and the two corresponding trains from Christchurch carried 166 This morning’s express from Greymouth had 170 passengers leaving Otira, and leaving Christchurch, the west-bound express carried 200 passengers.

A warm tribute {o the work of the New Zealand Public Service was paid at Auckland, by the Minister for Internal Affairs ( Hon. W. E. Parry). Mr Parry said that since the present Government came into office considerably more work had been demanded of the service and in some instances changes in the method. The extfa work had been tackled in a fine spirit by the men and women, of the service, who were toiling long hours to accomplish their tasks. Their hearts and minds were in their work. —Press? Assn.

Are you wondering what, to give? Solve your gift problems at C. Smith’s, the store of a thousand suggestions. Here are a few — for the kiddies, Storybooks, Dolls, Pencil Cases, Handbags, Picture Hankies. For ladies —Gloves, Hose, Handbags, Hankies, Scarves, Toiletries, Stationery, Sponge Bags, Exquisite Linens, Towels, Dainty Underwear. For men —Gift Sets, Pyjamas, Shirts, Socks, Braces, Suspenders, Ties, Dressing Gowns, Blazers, etc. Make a point of calling at C. Smith’s.—Advt,

High carnival of cheery greetings, the age-old custom, of goodwill toasts, and so .Dewar’s Imp r " : ;L < ft’hisky cheery as'Santa himseit— as the “happiest revels’’ of the year, Dewar’s will assuredly heighten the joy of this Yuletide Season. It is thoroughly blended, achieving an exquisite balance and a flavour goodness that is the foundation of a perfect whisky. Griffen and Smith, Ltd., Distributors, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Westport.—Advt. ; f

The. Grey Hospital Board desires to acknowledge further donations to the Christmas'' Cheer Fundßeturned Soldiers’ Association (Greymouth Branch) £2/2/-; J. R. McKenzie Ltd., £l/1/-; Ashby, Bergh and Co., Ltd., £l/1/-; Sargood, Son and Ewen, Ltd., £l/1/-; Brunner Old Boys Assn., £1 1/-; L. A. Inkster 10/6.

The winner of the first prize in the "Where Next” Art Union was Mr. James Hunter, of “Hillcrest.” Brook Street, Nelson, who is an elderly public accountant. He was formerly in Otago and went to Nelson, where he was interested for a period in the orchard industry. In recent years he returned to his profession in Nelson. Mr. Hunter was the holder of a single ticket.

For some obscure reason, there was almost a complete failure of the rata blooms on the West Coast last summer. and this reacted adversely on the district’s export of honey. However, it appears that the reverse will be the case this year. The scarlet blooms of the rata are just beginning to burst into full flower, and are forming brilliant patches of colour on the hillsides on the Greymouth-Westport coastal road. Taking this area as an indication. it would, appear that the blooms are going to be exceptionally prolific, this year.

Good progress is being made with the work of deviating and realigning the highway at the entrance to Runanga, from the Camp Creek bridge to the township. A big proportion of the cutting and filling has already been carried out, and the new Public Works Diesel excavator is at present working on that job. Some of the materials for the new bridge' at the Runanga end, are already on the site and the bridge will be commenced shortly. When completed, the new road will obvipte four bad bends, as well as easing the grade'and placing the highway above flood level at the Camp end.

A dispute has developed at the State mines, as the result of the refusal of the men’s request for payment for the King’s Birthday holiday. The Liverpool mine was to have worked, to-day, but the mbn returned to their homes, this morning. The James 4 mine would have been idle, in any case, to<lay. The shiftmen worked there, to-day, but will cease work to-night. It is understood that the request for the day’s holiday pay was made to the Minister of Mines, and not to the Superintendent of State Mines (Mr. C. J. Strongman).

An inspection of the Barrytown reticulation area and of the dredges in that locality using electric power, was made on Saturday afternoon by the members of the Grey Electric Power Board, the party including Messrs W. H. Parfitt (Chairman), J. Smeaton, J. B. Kent, A. IT. McKane, J. Unwin, J. Mulcare and, Sinclair Trotter (Engineer). The power line generally was inspected, and in addition visits were made to the White’s Electric dredge, the new Barrytown dredge and the Golden Sands hydraulic elevating claim. When the new dredge is operating, about the end of February, the Barrytown area, will be one of the largest consuming portions of the Power Board’s district.

Difficulty in obtaining materials from England during, the past nine months has held up the Railway Department’s rail-car construction programme, according to the general manager (Mr G. H. Mackley), who arrived in Christchurch on Saturday, from Wellington. Mr Mackley said that the coming year would probably see an extention of services by railcars of the standard type.- The railcars had proved their usefulness in many parts of !\ew Zealand, and this in combination with the economical running, had prompted the department to extend the services. The programme had not proceeded as expeditiously as it had been hoped, but it was anticipated that materials would be easier to secure from now onwards. when it would be speeded up as much as possible.

There was only one case dealt with at to-day’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court, Greymouth. Messrs F. ,W. Shallcrass and N. V. Lovell, J.’sP., presided. On the information of Mr J. H. Clark (Main Highways Traffic Inspector), Frederick .James Tibbles was charged that, on November 25, at South Beach, he operated a motor-car with inefficient brakes. Defendant did not appear. Inspector Clark said that he had reason to suspect that the brakes were not too good. He stopped the car, and a test showed that neither the hand-brake nor th 6 foot-brake was of any use whatever. Tibbles said that he had made arrangements with a garage, to make the necessary repairs, but witness could not obtain confirmation of the statement. The brakes had since been attended to, but, on the day, it was tested, the car was a menace on the road. Defendant was fined 10/-, with 10/- costs.

Guests at Revington’s include: — Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Cameron (Buenos Aires); Dr. W. H. Muir, Mr. W. B. S. Muir, Mr. W. D. W. Muir, Mr. P. C. S. Muir (Timaru); Mr. and Mrs. Le ebay, Mr. H. Morris, Mr. A. McLean, Mr. L. Barnes, Mr. F. H. Orange, Mr. H. Gibson, Mr. G. Fleetwood, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Stoneman, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis (Christchurch); Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Yeoman (Oamaru); Mr. and Mrs. W. Rogers, Mr. M. Rogers ((Murchison); Mr. L. B. Ord (Rangiora); Mr. H. S. Mangin (Weheka).

Christmas shopping made easy at C. Smith’s, the gift headquarters for every member of the family. Hundreds of suggestions displayed' in the windows! Ever so many more inside! You’ll be able to make up your mind in no time if you bring your lists to c. Smith’s. What a saving, too!—Advt.

Christmas Gift Goods at B. Dixon’s, Ltd. —Bibles in -all bindings and styles 2/6 to 45/-; New Testaments 2/- to 15/-; Sankey and Moody's Hymns 1/- to 11/6; Redemption Hymn Books 9d to 9/6; Alexander's Hymns 1/- to 3/6; Ancient and Modern Hymns 2/6 to 25/-; Text Cards Id tb 2/- each; Framed. Text. Cards. 1/-. to 2/6.. Large selections to choose from. —Advt.