LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 October 1939, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Wanganui Harbour Board/has served notice on the owners of the Port. Bowen to remove the steamer from Castlecliff Eeach within six months.

Indicative of the sharp rise in commodities imported from overseas since the outbreak of war, is the fact that one Greymouth wholesaler, who recently disposed of a quantity of tea which cost him 1/8S per lb., has been advised that the cost of replacement of his stock will be 2/6 per lb., with the prospect of further rises in the near future.

Work is proceeding on the construction of the last span of the 200 feet bridge, at Nelson Creek, on the Nelson Creek deviation. The earthwork of this deviation is completed, and it is expected that the road will be open for traffic about the end of next month. The deviation will reduce the Greymouth-Reefton mileage bv one and a-half miles.

At, the Magistrate’s Court, Hokitika, this morning, before Messrs. F. McGregor and W. S. Richards, J’s. P.. John Francis Patterson appeared on remand from Greymouth, on a charge of assault and robbery at Ross, on October 3, on W. J. Gannon. Several witnesses were heard, and a signed statement by accused was read. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed io the- Supreme Court at Christchurch for sentence. DetectiveSergeant Knight conducted the case for the police.—“ Star” Special Service.

The possibility o= the Government reverting to a 44-hour week as a necessary war measure was mentioned by Mr. C. C. Smith., chairman, at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay County Council during a discussion on the closing of the office on Saturday morning. “It has been mentioned through the Press, but. there is nothing definite yet,” he said. Cr. H. E. Cross: “There is no question of the war not continuing for a number of years, with its consequent drain on population. He also mentioned that, later it might be necessary to reimpose the Saturday morning working. The motion for closing the office in the morning was carried.

Consistency is the secret spirit of success and 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. Mau 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. Messrs. Griffen and Smith, Ltd., Distributors, Greymouth, Hokitika and Westport.—Advt.

There was only one enrolment, George Shaw, of Blackball, at Greymouth, to-day, in the Special Military Force, raising the total to 274.

Although the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) looked as well as ever after Ills recent operation, said the Minister for Finance (Mr. Nash) at the Public Service Association conference at Wellington, yesterday, he personally thought Mr. Savage would require to take considerable care if he was to get back to the vigorous health he enjoyed previously. Mr. Nash felt there was just a tendency to rush things.

The collection of donations for the Centennial Memorial Plunket and Rest-Rooms, conducted by Messrs A. H. McKane and J. W. Greenslade in the business area of Greyomuth, during the past week, has now reached £307. The canvass has been temporarily suspended, but when it is resumed, it is considered that the total amount can be brought to between £350 and £4OO.

A substantial cutting down of orders under the import restrictions, combined with the. curtailment in supplies of Chinese crackers as a result of the Sino-Japanese hostilities, may mean that no fireworks will be available next year for the annual celebration of Guy Fawkes Day. Limited supplies only, it is stated, are available this year, and if any stocks are available next, year it. is probable that prices for these will be considerably higher.

At a sitting of the Greymouth Magistrate’s Court, to-day, before Mr. M. J. Fogarty, J.P., and Mr. N. V. Lovell, J.P., Norman Arthur Rockhouse, of Taylorville, 25, labourer, was charged that “on October 17, 1938, at. Taylorville, he did assault one C. E. Senior by threatening to kill the said C. E. Senior.” On behalf of the police, Detective C. Davis applied for a remand, so that accused might be medically examined. Rockhouse was remanded, in custody, until Tuesday next.

“There are few pakehas who can really enter into the Maori mind,” said Rev. J. Fisher, of Kumara, urging the appointment of a Maori priest in the diocese of Christchurch at the Anglican Synod last evening. “We should take advantage of what is good in the ancient Maori culture,” he said. “In many places those things are being lost. There are young Maoris in nw parish who speak no more Maori than I do —yet they are still Maoris, and they do not think as we think. A man of their own race can enter into their minds as none'of us can.”

“What happens when you have influenza or go for a holiday?” asked Mr. Justice Northcroft of an analytical chemist who asked in the Supreme Court at Christchurch yesterday to be excused jury service on the grounds that he was the only man in his organisation who could do his work. The juryman replied that he had not had a holiday for 20 years, and that he had not been laid up for 10 years. “Well.” replied his Honor in refusing, the application, “I think in the circumstances that I will be doing you a kindness by giving you some other work for a change.”

The contractors for tar-sealing the main highway between Stillwater and Ngahere will commence sealing work on the first available fine day. The District Engineer (Mr’ R. Trevor Smith) stated to-day that motorists are warned against travelling over freshly-laid tar, at faster than five miles per hour, to avoid damaging the surface and splashing the cars with tar. He suggested that motorists use the road on the west bank of the Grey River, crossing by the Brunner bridge, and returning to the main highway at Ngahere, over the Blackball bridge. Sealing will later be carried out north of Ngahere, and this will be avoided by motorists continuing on the west bank of the river to Ikamatua.

Satisfactory progress with recruiting for the Maori battalion was reported yesterday by army headquarters, Wellington. The total number who had registered up till noon yesterday was 411. Of these 332 were in the northern military district, 75 in the central military district, and four in the southern military district. Of those who had registered in the central military district, 13 had done so in Wellington, 12 in Wanganui, 31 in Napier, and 13 in Gisborne. The total numbers for the tribes, as received at army headquarters, are; Kahungunu 1, Raukawa 5, Ngati-porou 3, Ngaitahu 1’ Ngapuhi 1. Ngatitoa 3, To Atiawa 3, Whanganui 3, and Rangitikei 1. Maoris who have registered in the Special Force (European), and are recorded at the base records, Wellington, total 267. Of these 225 are single, and 42 married. Of those who have been medically examined 54 have been classed as fit, 21 as temporarily unfit, and 23 as permanently unfit. A large number have not yet been medically examined. —Press Association.

The biggest and brightest ball of 1939, Schaef’s Hall, next Monday (Labour night).—Advt.

In spite, of everything C. Smith’s are showing a magnificent range ot the newest materials for Spring! They’ll be glad to have you call and see what’s what by the yard!—Advt.

For the long week-end get fixed up with sports wear at C. Smith's. Newest styles in slacks, cardigans, jumpers. play suits de.. at prices you won’t mind in the least.—Advt.

What is the correct thing to wear this season? White’s have the answer. Call in to our showroom and let us show you our outstanding collection of this season’s fashions. White’s Fashion Corner. —Advt.

Your home fri-uds will be particularly keen for Christmas remembrances this year. Why not send them a. copy of one of the New Zealand Christmas numbers? Your choice of six annuals, viz.. Auckland Weekly, Free Lance, Chris'“hurch Star. Otago Witness, Christ church Press and Tuis, at 2/- each, postage 2d extra. Also “New Zealand Cty Air." 2/6. postage 3d each, at B. Dixon s Ltd., Tainui Street. —Advt.