LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The flag was flying at Greymouth, to-day, in honour of the anniversary of the accession to the Throne of King George VI. Owing to the rain yesterday preventing the loading of vessels at Greymouth, the Liverpool mine bins were full to-day, and the mine was idled. Work will be resumed at the mine to-morrow. The Minister for Supply (Mr Sullivan) announced yesterday that the petrol ration for private cars and motor-cycles for January and February would be the same as for Novembei’ and December. For these two months five coupons would be available for use between January 1 and February 28.—Press Assn.

Caught by a’ fall of coal while qt his work as a miner in the Liverpool Colliery, yesterday afternoon, Dominic (Jerry). O’Neill, married, of Runanga, suffered a fracture of the ankle and abrasions. He was admitted to the Grey Hospital, and his condition, to-day, was reported to be satisfactory.

The results have been announced of the Scott Memorial Essay Competition, conducted annually, and open to pupils at all schools in the old Grey Education Board’s district. A prize of 7/6 each is awarded to the successful boy and girl. The winners are Leonard John Smith, of the Greymouth Main School, and Beryl Campbell, of the Kaiata School:

Christmas and New Year shopping hours have been fixed in Greymouth as follow: —On Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24), shops will observe the late night until 10 p.m. There will be no late night on the Friday of that week, shops closing then at 5.30 p.m. and at noon on the Saturday. New Year’s Eve, the following week, is to be observed with a late night, until 9 p.m. on Tuesday; shops will close at (5.30 p.m. on the Friday and noon on the Saturday.

That the matter of profit-sharing in industry and commerce.be investigated, and, if thought practicable, that it be made a plank in the platform of the National Party. The Greymouth Branch of the National Party, at a meeting held last evening, unanimously decided that the foregoing recommendation should be forwarded to the Policy Committee at Wellington. It is considered that, after firms have provided for a fair return on the capital invested, the remainder of the profits should be distributed among the employees.

The names of two candidates— Messrs E. B. E. Taylor, who unsuccessfully opposed Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P. in 1938, and P. McDonald, President of the Greymouth Branch—were considered at a meeting of the Greymouth Branch of the National Party, last evening, for nomination to the Selection Committee as the National candidate for Westland at the next general election. Mr. Taylor received a majority of preferences, and will be recommended to the Selection Committee, which comprises delegates from branches throughout Westland. As provided for in the constitution, both aspirants will appear before the committee, and will give ten-minute addresses. The final decision will be made after a period of 20 days.

The inquest was concluded at Hokitika, on Monday, Concerning the death of John Clement Campbell, 17, who was drowned while bathing in the sea on November 24. George Francis Campbell, 14, said that deceased swam out about 50 yards, and then called for help. Witness tried to go to his assistance, but could not swim very much, and was washed Xto the beach. The alarm was by Messrs Bert Haines, of Hokitika, and George Weaver, of Greymouth, who were fishing, and the body was later recovered by Mr. J. Coulsop of Hokitika, but artificial respiration was not successful. Kenneth George Coles, stepfather of deceased, said that the latter was born at Blaketown, and would have been 18 years of age on December 15. He had been working in a sawmill at Inchbonnie for a week, and previously was employed as a carrier at Hokitika. The Coroner (Mr. A. E. Benjamin) returned a verdict of accidental drowning.

Just arrived: A shipment of Ladies 5 Silk and Cotton Vests in two styles—round neck and shaped top. In flesh and creme only. 2/11 each.—C. Smith. —Advt.

Xmas Gift for all. 5/- in the £ discount off all Summer Coats. These coats, are good value at any time, and with 5/- in the £ off they are a real gift.—White’s Fashion Corner. —Advt.

Among the successful Canterbury (University College students in the ’New Zealand University degree examinations, held in November, are the following West Shirley G. Oliver, Latin I. and Geography 1., First 8.A., B. G. Tindale, French reading, First 8.A.; Janet M. Jermyn, Geography 1., Second B.A.

It was reported at last evening’s meeting of the Grey Hospital Board that no tenders had been received for the painting of the hospital roofs. Mr A. Mosley remarked that it looked as if the painters had all the work they could do. Mr A. H. McKane said that it was a bad time of the year to call for tenders, being too near Christmas. He moved that tenders again be called, for consideration at the next meeting of the Board, in February, but that, if a favourable offer were received meantime, suitable arrangements be made by the chairman , and secretary. The motion was carried. \

Reporting on the subject of “Christmas cheer,” to last evening’s meeting of the Grey Hospital Board, the Finance Commitee stated: “In view of the heavy demand being made on the public at the present time, it is recommended that the usual donors be notified that the Board is not making ail appeal this year, but is prepared to accept any donations which they might care to make.” The recommendation was adopted. It was also decided that an extra £1 be paid to all recipients of charitable aid, and the usual grant be made to inmates .of the Old People’s Home who are not in receipt of benefits.

Considerable interest was roused at the Grey Hospital, last evening, when the new ambulance which has arrived from Christchurch was open for inspection. The Studebaker KlO chassis was supplied by Messrs W. A. McLaren and Co., Ltd., and the ambulance was built by Auto Body Builders, of Christchurch. When necessary, it will provide accommodatiqp. for four patients, and includes the latest improvements in this type of vehicle, including stretcher cradles to avoid the lifting of stretchers to an inconvenient height, and a Bradford bed for spinal cases. A hand wash-basin is fitted, also lockers for medical equipment and baggage. The price of the new ambulance was £750.

Mass will be celebrated on next Sunday, December 15, at Ruru, 8 a.m., and at Kokiri, 10.15 a.m.—Advt.

There is a young woman in Christchurch who took no part in the silk stocking scramble last week (says the “Press). She is the head typist in a Government office. To demonstrate her practical patriotism, she went to the head of the department yesterday and proposed that in return for an undertaking not to buy silk stockings, the staff should be permitted to appear at work in sandals and no stockings for the rest of the Summer, after which they would put on woollen ones, in response to the request of Hon. W. Nash. The departmental head accepted the proposition, and promises are to be kept, it is understood, from to-day until the Summer ends. Interviewed yesterday, the typist concerned declared that she was. appalled at the skirmishing that went on in.city shops at the week-end. She believed that if the patriotism of the women of. New Zea.land .was going, to‘stop at the loss of a silk stocking, then there seemed to be poor hope of winning this war.