LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1940, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The “Greymouth Evening Star” will not be published to-morrow (New Year’s Day). Advertisers please note.

Although a full count of the takings at the boxing match between Maurice Strickland and the Alabama Kid has not yet been made, it is believed that the sum will constitute a Dominion record for such a fixture. The previous record was established when Sarron and Donovan fought at the Kilbirnie Stadium in Wellington, when the takings were over £2,300.

The great difference between the happy holidays of a few years ago, when it appeared as if every New Zealander owned a car, was noted by a Rotorua motorist returning about dusk on Christmas Day. In the 60 miles between Cambridge and Rotorua only 11 other cars were seen on the road, and on the road through the Mamaku bush, only one other car was seen travelling toward Rotorua.

To celebrate the marriage in Auckland, on Saturday, of the third officer of an overseas British ship in port, a laurel wreath took the place of a flag at the foremast of the ship at 8 o’clock in the morning and remained there all day. It is an old naval custom to hang a laurel wreath at the foremast on such occasions, and the vessels of several shipping companies have adopted it as a way to honour their officers on their wedding days.

As the direct result of the war, music teachers, choirs and orchestras in Auckland anticipate a shortage of sheet music, and it is reported that scholars have had to search for sec-ond-hand copies of works they needed. When the annual conference of New Zealand music teachers is held in Auckland next month, emphasis will be laid upon the need for easing the restrictions upon imported music and musical instruments, and for the publication of uncopyrighted works in the Dominion. It was said that many city churches found it difficult to maintain supplies of anthems and hymn books.

The first race at Omoto to-mbrrow will start at 12.30. Win and place tote operating.—Advt.

Rent a car, for economy and convenience. See the glaciers and lakes. Haines’ Motors Ltd.—Advt..

Here’s a tip' for race week. See White’s first. They have an exceptional range of frocks,' coats, costumes, and hats, in the latest styles. They’re a winner.—Advt.

Soldiers in uniform will be admitted free to ‘Omoto racecourse tomorrow and Thursday. Be there, boys!—Advt.

Although not officially confirmed, | the belief is held in various quarters that a five per cent, increase in coastal freight charges will be made, by order of the Price Tribunal, from 'to-mor-row. The shipping companies have not been officially notified.—Press Assn. - • ’. ,

Some members of the crew of the s.s. Karepo evidently desired to celebrate the arrival of the New Year at Greymouth, for when the vessel was ready to sail for Auckland, early this afternoon, it was found that some of them were missing* After half an hour’s delay, however, the members of the crew who had commenced their New Year’s celebration, went aboard and the vessel departed on the tide.

Because the American Clipper of Pan American Airways crossed the International Date Line, between Canton Island and Noumea, on Christmas Eve, those aboard missed Christmas Day altogether this year. In a moment the Clipper flew from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, and Christmas celebrations were over at Noumea by the time the flying-boat alighted there on Thursday afternoon. An informal celebration was held, however, to mark the unusual experience.

Two reinforcements for the Maori Battalion (Papakura), to leave with the Fifth Reinforcement on January 7, are announced by the Army Department, as follow:-—S. J. Samson (Hokitika), D. G. Tainui (Arahura). The numbers of West Coast men to leave for the various mobilisation camps on January 7 are now as follow:—Papakura 61, Trentham 60, Burnham 32.

A volunteer from the West Otago district who enlisted at the outbreak of war and who was held back because he was in a reserved occupation, made a plea to the Southland Man Power Committee at its sitting at Gore to give leniency when his case came up for consideration. “My home in the Old Country has been bombed,” he stated. “My brother failed to return from Dunkirk, and I would like to have a go at them.” Members of the committee promised that, he would be given every consideration.

“I am convinced that quite a lot of juvenile crime arises from young people going too often to dances,” said Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., at Hamilton, when sentencing two youths of 18 on charges of converting motor-cars to theii’ own use, and theft. The probation officer’s report showed that the accused had frequented dances often, had been cheeky at home, and inattentive to their work. The frequency with which youths generally attended dances, said Mr. Paterson, was simply piling up trouble for the future. It would be a good plan, he added, if youths under a certain age were prohibited from attending public dances.

With the temperature touching 88 degrees in the shade, the highest for at least 26 years, Invercargill sweltered at the week-end. For four days in succession 14 hours of “bright” sunshine have been recorded, but as the sun has been rising before 5 a.m. and setting at 8.40 p.m., there have been about 15| hours’ actual sunshine each day. A temperature of 88 degrees was • reached on Saturday afternoon. Sunday was also very hot, 85 degrees being recorded. Yesterday was again bright and sunny; but a cool south-west breeze made conditions more bearable.—Press Assn.

Sales tax receipts during November were practically on a par with those of October and slightly above the comparable figure for November, 1939. The yield from the tax during November was £595,578, comprising £297,617 for ordinary revenue purposes and £297,961 for war purposes, compared with £595,813 (ordinary revenue, £298,098; war purposes, £297,715) in October. The £297,617 collected in November for ordinary revenue purposes compares with the receipt of £291,844 in the corresponding month of 1939. The war expenses portion of the tax did not come into operation until the end of June, 1940. From the date of its introduction to the end of November this tax has yielded £1,161,304 to the War Expenses Account. •

A grand patriotic dance will be held at Omoto Racecourse on Thursday night. Admission 1/-. Supper 6d. —Advt.

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.