LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1937, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The air mail despatched from Wellington on February 2, arrived at London on February 18. —Press Assn.

Whether an English make of motortruck should receive preference over a Canadian product, which was offered at a considerably lower price, was discussed by the Auckland Electric Power Board, when the purchase of two ton vehicles was recommended by the general manager. The trade reciprocity aspect was emphasised by several members, and it was decided to purchase English trucks for £690, against the Canadian quote of £505. An amendment that the lowest tender be accepted was not supported. —Press Association.

An association of practically all those engaged in cleaning schools in Auckland city has been formed and has secured registration as an incorporated society under the name ‘Auckland Caretakers and Cleaners in Schools Association” (states the ‘New Zealand Herald’). “For many years those engaged in the cleaning of schools have been inadequately paid,” said the president of the association, Mr. H. G. Adams. “When an application was made to the school committee for an increase the reply was usually to the effect that the amount of money granted by the Government for the purpose was inadequate and that no increase could be made.”

Referring to the Government housing scheme, the report of the Painters’ Federation to be presented to the conference now sitting at Christchurch, asks how sufficient raw material can be made available without excessive importation for a building programme of 9,000 or 10,000 houses in the next twelve months. Such an abnormal increase in demand, says the report, can only have the effect of abnormal ' increases in prices. The report states that the building trade figures' show 6000 to 7000 houses per annum are built in New Zealand in boom periods, and if the Government builds an additional 5000 to 6000, the Federation asks: Could this bo done without groat disruption of the building trade? —Press Assn.

The finding of a .22 calibre rifle and a box of cartridges concealed under the mattress of a bed in a Wellington hotel caused the Wellington Police to think that a serious crime was in process of development. The whole matter was cleared up, however, when a girl made a confession to the police later in the day. Apparently she had had a disagreement with her young man. and, wishing to shock him into coming back to her, she decided on the purchase of a rifle. She found, however, that a permit could not be obtained. so she stole a rifle from the shop of a local sports dealer. The rifle, which she hid under her mattress labelled “Danger, do not touch,” was not necessary to settle the argument, however. The girl appeared before Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, in the Magistrate's Court charged with the theft of the firearm, and was convicted and discharged.

With honours even, all eyes _ are now focussed on the deciding cricket Test between England and Australia. Whichever way Dame Fortune smiles, may the game he played in the best of good spirits. The most vital point in any test of Spirits is undoubtedly duality. That is why Dewar’s Imperial Whisky is recognised throughout the world for its purity, and maturity. Messrs Griffen and Smith, Ltd., Distributors, Greymouth, Hokitika, and Westport.—Advt.

The annual picnic of the combined Greymouth and Hokitika Public Seivices will be held at Kumara, to-mor-row.

The steel for the reinforced concrete to be used in the construction of the overhead traffic bridge at Stewart’s Brewery, Coal Creek, has arrived in Greymouth. An immediate start is to be made on the construction of the bridge.

Freight hauled through the? Otira tunnel from west to east last week amounted to 12,863 tons, as compared with 10,670 tons in the corresponding week of last year, an increase of 2,193 tons. In 1935, the corresponding total was 9,783 tons.

Under the will of the late Annie Bell Lightfoot’, who died at Greymouth on February 4 last, the Public Trustee is appointed executor and trustee. The will provides for thet following charitable gifts: £2O to the Grey River Hospital, £2O to the Anglican Church, Greymouth, and £lO to the Old People’s Home, Greymouth.,

It is expected that the bridges on the Kumara Junction' —Kapitea road deviation will be completed about the end of next month, and tenders have been called by the Public Works Department for the last section of metalling. Unseasonable weather during the Summer has seriously interfered with the work of metalling the deviation.

The Governor-General has lent to the National Gallery for exhibition to the public, some of the pictures belonging to his own private collection of family portraits in one section of the gallery, and water colours and engravings in another. Included in the ppr-< traits are Sir Isaac Newton and Grinling Gibbons, architect and carver, both by Kneller. A coloured engraving depicts the Coronation robes of George IV. The exhibition will be open free for a month. —Press Assn.

As the result of a smash which occurred near South Beach, last night, Chang Wai Joon, greengrocer, of Cobden, was admitted to the Greymouth Hospital, with a cut on his forehead, and possibly other injuries. The Chinese was driving his horse and cart towards Greymouth, about 9 p.m., and stated that, as he was approaching the third railway crossing, his horse and cart were struck by a motor-car. He was thrown out of the cart. The horse bolted, and -was not j stopped until it was near Rathbun’s store in High Street, about two miles from the scene of the collision. It Was stated, to-day, that his condition is about the same, but he is not on' the seriously-injured list.

A cricket record which even Don Bradman is not likely to break was mentioned by the Rev. E. O. Blamires at a meeting of the Wanganui Rotary Club in an address on his cricketing experiences. Mr Blamires said that Hordern in his “Cricketing Reminiscences” related how 1 in a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground he had lost his wicket in the first and second innings for “ducks.” Toward the end of the second strike, it was discovered that one of the players had taken a stroll to a nearby tavern so Hordern was sent to the crease again. On this occasion he Was also sent back to the pavilion without opening his score. Hordern believed that he had made a record that would stand! for ever.

“Now that I have seen the South Island, I cannot understand why I was content to waste six weeks in the North Island last year.” This comment was made yesterday by Mr A. Birkett, director of the English engineering firm of T. M. Birkett and Sons, who arrived in Christchurch after a motor tour of the Nelson and South Westland districts. Mr. Birkett said this was his second visit to New Zealand. On his previous visit last year he had not been in the South Island at all, and he considered no praise could be too high for the scenic beauties of the West Coast and the glaciers. “When I was here last time there seemed to be no information of any description about the South Island,” Mr. Birkett added.

The friendly relationship between New Zealand and Japan and the great regard Japanese authorities have for the Dominion were mentioned by Mr. Yozo Nomura, of Yokohama, who arrived at Wellington from Sydney yesterday by the Awatea to attend a Rotary Club conference at Wellington next month. Mr. Nomura will represent 70 districts in Japan, Korea, and Manchuria. Geographically, there were no other two countries so much alike as Japan and New Zealand, he said, and at no time in the past had there ever been a dispute between the two countries. He thought it very appropriate that the Rotary conference should be held in New Zealand, which enjoyed friendly relations with all nations, because the aim of Rotary was the promotion- of international good will and friendship, upon which the progress and happiness of mankind depended. China will be represented at the conference TTy Dr. K. S. Inui, who, with his wife, also arrived by the Awatea. —Press Association.

£BOOO worth of High-grad'e Furniture and Furnishings offered to the public at ridiculous -prices at S. Burnett White’s Closing Down Sale.— Advt.

“Forty Fathoms Deep,” the latest book by that popular writer I. L. Idress, deals with pearl divers and sea rovers in Australian seas. Profusely illustrated, 6/- each, postage 4d extra. All this author’s works are obtainable at B. Dixon’s, Tainui Street. —Advt.

Builders, Architects and Draughtsmen will be interested to know that all Drawing Instruments and materials are stocked at B. Dixon’s, Ltd. Buying direct from the factories enables us to offer the lowest of prices. —Advt.

Wood Fibre Flowers! What are they like? Everyone’s asking this question. They are so natural in form and colouring ft is almost impossible to believe they are not real. Besides their loveliness is permanent. See them to-day at C. Smith’s. They’ll teach you' how to make them free of charge. Book your appointment now!—Advt ■