LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mr. Webb regrets to announce that a small mail, consisting of one bag of letters from Britain, and routed by surface mail across the Atlantic and by airmail trans-Paciflc, has been lost through enemy action. The approximate dates of posting are April 30 and May 1. —Press Assn. The Wallsend mine was idle yesterday, but resumed work to-day. The stoppage yesterday, it is believed, was primarily due to the presence of gas in a section. of the workings. By the time that the gas was cleared, it was considered by the men that it was too late to commence work, and they returned to their homes.

The Wellington Boxing Association has arranged a bout between Tot Hoggarth, of Brunner, and Billy Brown, of Wellington, to take place at Wellington on July 31. Brown defeated Hoggarth on points in a bout at Greymouth, early this season.

At last evening’s sitting of the Medical Board at Greymouth, seven men called in the ballots for overseas service were examined, two being passed as fit and five as temporarily unti. Four of those temporarily unfit were classed as fit for Territorial service. Thirteen men called for Territorial service were also examined, 11 being passed as fit and two as temporarily unfit.

While engaged in repairing the ’boiler at the Big River Gold Mines, 'Ltd., plant at Big River, this morning, George Black, the engine-driver at the mine, was struck in the face by a boiler tube, which flew out suddenly. He suffered from loss of blood, and Dr. J. L. Wicken, of Reefton, was called to Big River. Full details of the accident or of Black’s injuries (were not available when the “Star” went to press, but it is understood that he is not in a serious condition.

A protest against the refusal of the oil fuel controller to allow petrol for campaigning purposes was made by Mr. P. R. Gardner, Independent candidate for the Waitemata seat, in an address at Birkenhead. Mr. Gardner, whose home is at Glorit, said, although he had been refused any petrol, he had seen two Cabinet Ministers riding round the North Shore in separate motor-cars. Although farmers who were hard-pressed for petrol had given him what coupons they could spare, he would be unable to conduct his campaign in all parts of the electorate.

“All’s fair in love and war” may have been the thought of William Henry Soanes when he unlawfully converted to his own use at Coromandel a motor-truck valued at £750 in order to see his sweetheart who lived 11 miles away and who had refused to come in and see him. “A case of love’s ycung dream, I suppose,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court when Soanes pleaded guilty. "Did he see his girl?” “Yes, sir,” said SeniorSergeant Joyce. “I understand he was with her till 3 o’clock in the morning.” (Laughter.) A fine of £5 was imposed and Soanes was also ordered to pay £5 compensation. For driving without a license he was convicted and discharged.

“Will the Government introduce regulations to compel conscientious objectors who refuse to perform alternative non-combatant service to perform alternative nominated work at soldiers’ rates of pay?” This question was asked the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr W. Nash) by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition. Waitomo) in the House of Representatives yesterday Mr Broadfoot also asked that regulations should be introduced depriving defaulters under the military regulations of their civil rights in the case of their failing to register and report for duty. This action to be in addition to ordinary penalties, and debarring from present and future employment in the Public Service all persons relusin?’ to affirm then loyalty to the Crown.

Mass will be celebrated on next Sunday, July 20. at Kokiri, 8 a.m., and at Ruru, 10.15 a.m. —Advt.

A plea for the return to New Zealand of a youthful member of tne Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who is now serving a civil sentence of lour years’ imprisonment, in Fiji, and also for the revision of his sentence, is contained in a petition to the House, presented by Mr. x_. Atmore (Independent, Nelson) to-day, on behalf of Mr. W. E. Barnard (Napier). The petitioner was the lads mother. The petition stated that the young man was sentenced by the Civil Court in Suva to four years’ imprisonment for violence while intoxicated. He enlisted at the age of seventeen, giving his age as twenty-one years. He was eighteen years old when he was sentenced to four years . The petitioner added that the boy s father was accidentally killed at Napier on December 26, on the same day as she received the news of her son’s sentence—Press Assn.

The ball of the year! Note the date! Saturday, August 9. Location: Ikamatua Public Hall Sponsors: Ikamatua R.S.A. Music: Kit Kat Band. — Advt.

The Dominion conference of the Farmers’ Union yesterday passed a resolution recording its deep appreciation of the untiring efforts ol Mr W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president, in the interests of the farming community in particular, and the Dominion as a whole, and recognising . his sterling worth, undoubted ability, and sound judgment, and assuring him continued support and loyalty. One speaker described Mr Mulholland as the Churchill of the farmers of New Zealand. Before proceeding to general business the conference passed a resolution alfirminft unswerving loyalty to the King and the Empire and pledging farmers to continue to do their utmost to maintain and increase, it desired, the supply of commodities to the Mother County and shouldor whatever sacrifices might be necessary to this end.—PA. Furs are on the rise. We have a nice new stock at old prices in Coats; Capes; Boleros and Stoles. You can lay-bv any time. —White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre. —Advt. We have a large stock of Girls’ Black Cashmere Gym Hose. Obtainable in sizes 2,3, 4, at 3/11 and sizes 5 and 6 at 4/6 pair.—C. Smith s. —Advt.

A request that the Acting-Prime Minister should make public the reasons for the lighting restrictions, and in particular that he should indicate whether a shortage of coal or electrical equipment had anything to do with it, was made in a question asked in the House by Mr H. Atmore (Independent, Nelson) on behalf of Hon. W. E. Barnard (Democratic Labour, Napier). The question said that in various parts of the Dominion supplies of electricity had been reduced this Winter. “Will the Minister further state whether the black-out policy is intended in part to reduce private expenditure in the interests of New Zealand’s war effort?” Mr Atmore asked. —Press Assn. The restoration of Waitangi bridge, at Lower Wataroa, damaged seriously by flood some months ago,_ is under consideration. At the meeting of the Westland County Council a week ago, the offei’ of £ 1 for £ 2 as a subsidy., was declined, the feeling being that the subsidy should be £2 for £l. Further representations were made through Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., who is in Wellington, and on Monday advice was received of a favourable character. Mi' T. P. O’Neil. County Chairman, accepted the increased subsidy, and preliminary steps are being taken with regard to the undertaking of the work. It is understood Mr T. Learmont, of Greymouth, will visit the bridge site tomorrow and confer with County ol- ! ficials as to the proposals. If a sat.s- -' factory plan is approved, Mr Learmont will perform the necessary survey and prepare the plans.