LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The potato crop in the Gisborne district this season is estimated in some quarters to be double that of last year. Plantings continue, and large areas are to be sown yet on the high country. The demand for seed potatoes at present is exceeding the available supplies, which are difficult to secure.

Rising costs are making themselves felt in every sphere, and they gave rise to a discussion in the Auckland Presbytery as to whether the clerk should continue to send members the monthly agenda and minutes. Mr. H. B. Burnett said the postage had doubled and the cost of the paper used had doubled, and he estimated the extra annual cost of the present service at £5 or £6. The clerk of Presbytery, Rev. G. Budd, mentioned that the cost of the paper on which the “Outlook” is printed had increased 300 pei* cent. It was decided to effect a saving by having abbreviated agenda and minutes posted together instead of separately.

The October meeting of the Blaketown Women’s Institute was held in the Citizens’ Hall, Mrs. Longstaff presiding. Remits for the half-yearly Council meeting were discussed, and extracts from “Home and Country read. A wide variety of “quick ideas for W.I. night” were presented, this being the roll call. Disabled soldiers goods met with a ready sale. Mrs. Guy being in charge of their disposal. A social evening is to be held on November 7, in aid of Red Cross funds. Arrangements were also made to hold a Christmas party for members, in December. Competition winners were as follow: Soap: Mrs. Dixon 1; shoulder spray: Mrs. Callaghan 1. During the social half-hour, a debate “Should husbands assist with housework?” provided amusement. On a show of hands the affirmative side were declared' the winners. Those taking the affirmative were Mesdames Longstaff (leader), Coll, Dixon and Brown, while the negative side was as follows: Mesdames Moreland (leader), Collins, Cleghorn and Templeton. Mrs. Brown read an interesting account of “Pioneering Days on the West Coast,” from a woman’s point of view. The meeting closed with the National Anthem.

Consistency 1* t£ e spirit of success. an 4. one of the most successful consistent “Spirits” is Dewar s Imperial Whisky.. All those good qualities of fine, matured whisky are found in Dewar’s, , and this is the reason it is so consistently called for throughout the world by judges of good whisky. Man is' gifted with a very sensitive taste when choosing his .eatables, wearables etc., and why not use that same good taste in the choice of his drinkables, and drink the best. Mbssrs. Griffen and Smith, Ltd., Greymouth, Hokitika and Westport.—Advt. /

It is proposed by the Army Department. to issue, special certificates to all men who have volunteered for service with the special military force and been permanently rejected. The issue will be carried out shortly, ana each certificate, which the receiver may carry with him, will state that the holder has volunteered and has been rejected.

Arthur John Patience, who is charged with the- murder of his wife, Harriet Jane Patience, at Claverley on or about October 4 of last year, will appear to stand trial i n th e Supreme Court at Christchurch on October 24. It is expected that the trial will last eight days.

■ According.to the secretary, Mr. W. B. Gilbert, the monthly meeting of the Greymouth Harbour Board last evening was the shortest in the past 29 years. The meeting, preceded, as usual, by the Finance Committee meeting, commenced punctually at 8 p.m., and was finished before 8.30 o’clock. The Finance meeting- usually occupies members until nearly 8.30 p.m.

The New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association does not intend to allow the outbreak of another war to interfere with the ceremonies that had their origin in the previous one. The Dominion executive has decided that Armistice Day be observed exactly as hitherto, that next year Poppy Day-be held, and the Aiizac Day ceremonies conducted as usual.—Press Assn’

The Chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. Allan J. Moody, after stepping off a tram in Queen Street at 8.30 o’clock this morning, slipped and fell heavily on his back. He reached his office, 100 yards away. A doctor was sent for, and ordered him to hos.pital, where an X-ray examination re.vealed a serious injury to the spine.— Press Assn.

The months of October and November have been declared a close season for the taking of toheroas on all beaches in the Dominion. A variation of this so far as it applies to the taking of toheroas on the north Kaipara Beach and the Ninety-mile Beach for canning purposes has been gazetted. For canneries the close season will be November and December. This variation, it is stated officially, applies only to canneries working their own leases, and does not vary the close season for the general public on the two beaches mentioned. —Press Assn.

A total eclipse of the sun will occur to-morrow, and will be visible in New Zealand as a partial eclipse. It will begin at 6.51 a.m., will reach its greatest phase at 7.48 a.m, and will end at 8.51 a.m. People watching the eclipse should take precautions to protect their eyes, otherwise serious injury may result. Coloured glass, smoked glass, or a badly fogged photographic plate will serve the purpose. If a piece of glass is smoked, care should be taken to see that it is properly blackened and is free from patchiness.

The Cabinet has decided to extend the present system of conveyance of school children to include the payment of an allowance where children are required ,to travel long distances to school on horseback. This announcement was made last evening by the Minister for Education (Mr. Fraser), who explained that hitherto horseback riding had been excluded from the payment of any allowance, except where roads had been non-existent, or especially difficult or dangerous. Approval of the payment, said Mr Fraser, would entitle all children under 10 years of age travelling on horseback for distances exceeding two miles, and all children of 10 years or over riding three miles or more, to the allowance. This, he had no doubt, would be greatly appreciated by those backblock settlers who were unable to make use of any other means of conveyance for their children. The decision, which would take effect from the beginning of February, 1940, was in fulfilment of a promise he had given on behalf of the Government some time ago.

Big novelty fair, Criterion Theatre, Reefton, to-morrow and Saturday. Art, sweets, cake and produce stalls. Tea rooms, games, side shows, and dips. Short entertainment each evening. Admission free. —Advt.

Coming next week! Miss Marie Berlei, corsetiere from Berlei House Auckland, to advice and fit you without extra charge. Secure your appointment now! C. Smith, Ltd.—Advt.

The nicest coats in town find ideal setting in the lovely showrooms a' White’s, as also do the exclusive frocks and millinery. You are invited to see them now. White’s Fashion Corner. —Advt.

New war maps in black and white, size 22iin. by 17Ain, with full details, price 6d, postage 2d. Large size war map in six colours, new edition, price 1/6, postage 2d, to arrive at B. Dixon’s, Tainui Street —Advt.

To wear the new fashions successfully you must have correct foundation garments. Be fitted free at C. Smith’s by Miss Marie Berlei. This charming corsetiere will be in attendance next week from Monday to Friday. Phone 30 for an appointment.— Advt.

For sending overseas: New Christmas gift lines at B. Dixon’s Ltd. N.Z. made fancy suede articles with N.Z. scenery, Maori heads, etc., thereon, a large variety to choose from. N.Z. calendars depicting N.Z. towns and scenery, Christmas cards with N.Z. scenery and Maori heads. Come in and see them. —Advt.

New books and reprints at B. Dixon’s. Postages in brackets. “The V.A.D. Nursing Handbook,” 1/6 (2d). “Anchor Comes Back,” by Humfrey Jordon, 9/6, (7d). “West of the Pecos,” by Zane Grey, 4/6 (4d). “The Citadel,” by Cronin, 4/6 (sd). “Prospecting for Gold,” by Irdiess 5/6 (4d). “Maori Grammar and Conversation,” by Hon. Ngata, 2/6 (3d). “Madman’s Island,” by Idriess, 6/6 (sd). “The Clans and Tartans of Scotland,” by Robert Bain, 6/6 (6d). “The Australian Lettering Book,” 1/6 (Id). “A Course in Ma-I chine Drawing and Sketching,” by J. Dale, 7/6 (4d). I