LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 December 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The winner of the Joseph P. Firth Scholarship at Cobden school, which became available for the first time this year, is Raymond J. Watkin, a son of Mrs. B. Watkin, Bright Street, Cobden.

Forty-five West Coast residents, 28 adults and 17 children, left by the express, to-day, to attend the annual Christian Convention, at Winchester. The Convention will open to-morrow and will conclude on Sunday.

Mr. Cunliffe, platelaying contractor, employed on the Buller Gorge Railway, had a miraculous escape from death when he fell a distance of 40 feet from a bridge into the river. He was removed to the Buller Hospital where it was discovered he suffered a broken pelvis. His condition yesterday was satisfactory.

An announcement that launch owners would be permitted to purchase their December and January allowances of petrol at any time during these two months was made by the Minister for Supply last night. Mr Sullivan expressed appreciation of the co-operation he had received from yacht and motor-boat clubs in petrol rationing.—Press Assn.

The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) announced last night that Mr Noel Coward, who recently visited America and is now in Australia, will arrive in New Zealand on January 4. He will appear at concerts in the chief centres, the proceeds of which will go to the National Patriotic Fund. Mr Coward will also give several radio talks during his fortnight’s stay.— Press Assn.

A story was told by Mr Justice Smith at the Palmerston North Boys’ High School ceremony (when he was the official speaker) of an inquiry he made which had definitely negative results. Hoping to get some hints as to the nature of the speech he was to make, he had asked a boy what the speakers usually said at these gatherings. The boy, who had attended several such gatherings, replied: “I don’t know. I never listen.”

Writing to yesterday’s meeting of the Greymouth Patriotic Committee, Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., stated that he had brought the subject of the inadequate coverage of Station 3ZR to the notice of the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser’s reply was as follows: —“I note that the West Coast residents have expressed disappointment in regard to the area covered by Station 3ZR. lam taking the matter up with 'the Director of Broadcasting, and the fullest consideration will be given to the points raised in your letter.” It ■was decided to thank Mr O’Brien.

“Some of these requests are ridiculous,” said Mr W. J. Campbell, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, when consideration was being given to a number of requests from teachers for extra leave, either at the beginning or the end of the Christmas vacation period. In one case two teachers asked for six extra dayg ip February so they could return from a health trip to Australia in a neutral ship. “Are they frightened they will not get back?” asked a member. After some discussion leave was granted in all cases without salary.

Bookings on the expresses from Greymouth to Christchurch between now and Christmas Day show a substantial decrease on last year’s numbers. Both outward expresses on Saturday are well filled, but the bookings for Monday and Tuesday are moderate. In contrast, the aChristchurchGreymouth bookings 'for Saturday, Monday and Tuesday are exceptionally heavy, all trains, including the relief expresses being almost fully booked. The relief expresses this week have been poorly patronised, but the rail-cars from Greymouth in the evening have carried a large number Jpf passengers. Since the new Vulcan rail-car entered the service on October 28, it has been fully booked for almost every trip from Greymouth, indicating the popularity of the fast service.

Six officers and 134 other-ranks J who have been undergoing Territorial training at Burnham, will 'return, to Greymouth by special train next Monday, and are due at 3.10 p.m.

A Medical Board which sat at Wataroa, yesterday, examined eight men. 'Three were passed as fit for military service, and five were classed as temporarily unfit.

Air personnel undergoing training in New Zealand as pilots, observers and airgunners, in future will be distinguished by white peaks to be worn with the field service caps.— Press Assn.

A shunting mishap occurred on the Midland railway line near Dobson, about 2.30 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The door of a hopper wagon opened and allowed the coal to fall on to the line, derailing three following wagons. The wagons were restored to she line by_ 3.45 p.m. and there was only slight delay to one goods train.

Arrangements have been made by the military authorities for holiday leave to be granted at Christmas to all men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in camps in New Zealand. This announcement was made last evening by the Minister for Defence (Mr Jones), who said the men concerned would receive pay and subsistence allowances, plus free transport warrants to their homes and back.—Press Assn.

A cast-steel top tumbler for the Ngahere gold dredge has been delivered at Port Chalmers from Australia. This tumbler casting, which weighs approximately. 19 tons, is to be machined by the Stevenson and Cook Engineering Company, and it is estimated that the work will take about 10 weeks. When completed, the tumbler will be sent by rail to Greymouth, where it will be stored as a spare part for the three large dredges operating in this district.

The girls of the Napier Intermediate School introduced a novelty at a gala day in the form of a tent at which mothers could leave their babies while they inspected the various attractions (records the “Daily Mail”). A notice outside the tent stated that “no clubs, chloroform, or other artificial silencers are used.” In spite of the assurance there was, however, rather a lack of patronage, mothers preferring to keep their offspring under their eyes.

A considerable number of airmail letters prepaid at the 9d. concession rate, are being posted to private persons resident in the United Kingdom. The public is reminded that the concession applies only to letters addressed to New’ Zealand and Australian soldiers serving overseas and not to letters addressed to private individuals. A number of airmail letters have also been posted at the reduced rate to Air Force trainees serving in Canada. As Canada is not served by the Empire service, such letters are being despatched by the first surface mail.

It is related that w’hen Invercargill boys were collecting scrap metal last Saturday one resident of a suburb, whose vocation is apt to make him doubt the veracity of youths in general, gave some saucepans which had seen their best years of service but were still sound. “You’re sure you will put them in the collection and not take them home?” he asked. He was assured that they w’ould reach the proper, destination and the boys set off. But the worthy citizen called them back. “I’d better make sure,” he commented and proceeded to punch holes in the saucepans.

Motor vehicles imported during the 10 months ended October J3l of this year numbered 6135, or less than one-third of tfiose imported for the corresponding months of last year—namely, 24,607. The value of the imports for this year’s period was £983,878, compared with £4,102,661 for the 10 months of 1939, showing the “slashing” effects of import restrictions. Motor cycles imported were 322 in number, compared with 887 for the 1939 period, and the value of these imports for this year so far as it has gone is £19,685, compared with £47,703 for the 10 months in 1939.

Children whose parents do not desire them to salute the flag or take part in any patriotic observance cannot be compelled by a teacher to do so. That opinion, expressed by the Taranaki Education Board at a meeting when discussing instances that had occurred at Taranaki schools, has been confirmed in a letter from Mr G. E. Overton, writing for the Director of Education. In the broadcast sense, such ceremonies formed part of instruction in history, the reply stated. The Education Act provided that no child should be compelled to be present at the teaching of history if its parents or guardians objected.

Further delicacies for the Maori Battalion in England z were received recently by the National Patriotic Fund Board’s store in Wellington. They comprised four big billies of pauas, packed in fat, and were handed over to the store by Sir Apirana Ngata. In November two small cases containing tins of dried crayfish arrived at the store, having been sent from a place near Gisborne. It was necessary to seal the tins hermetically to ensure that the contents would arrive in good condition. This was done also in the case of the recent gift of pauas. These delicacies have since been re-packed and dispatched from the store. —Press Assn.

The high reputation which New Zealand pilots in the Royal Air Force enjoyed was briefly referred to by Flight Lieutenant G. R. Canavan, Government control officer at the Mechanics Bay air base, in a speech at a gathering in the Auckland Harbour Board offices. Flight Lieutenant Canavan said that while instrucing in a training school in England he had 100 pupils under him. Among' these were nine from New' Zealand, nine from another British Dominion, and eight from other British possessions. He was very pleased to note that at the end of the year’s work the New Zealand work w r as marked 9 to 10 per cent, higher than' the work of those from elsewhere. When he joined the Royal Air Force in 1930 there were about 80 men from New Zealand. There were more than 40(: when he returned to the Dominion about 16 months ago. '

White Wool 3-ply in “Aotea” and Petone brands, lid per skein. Also, navy blue wool, extra heavy weight, 3-ply, 1/6 per two-ounce skein.—C. Smith’s.—Advt.

Come to -White's this Xmas time for grand values in fashion goods. 5/- in the pound off all Summer Coats. These are the best, offered anywhere in New Zealand.—White’s Corner, your Fashion Centre.—Advt.