LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Fees collected at the Greymouth Municipal Abattoir during June amounted to £149/3/3. Stock was dealt with as follows: Cows 53, bullocks 157, sheep 381, lambs 52, pigs 107, calves 61. One cow and one bullock were condemned.

The following message from the Governor of Malta has been received by Mr Nash:—“The people of Malta and myself are very grateful indeed for the second contribution of £2OOO from New Zealand to the Malta Relief Fund, through the Commissioner for Malta in Australia. This mark of sympathy is very greatly appreciated.”—Press Assn.

“Is the Minister aware that major stores in New Zealand are unable to supply silk, woollen, or cotton stockings, and will he take steps to ensure that the requisite supplies are made available from Australia, where, it is understood, they are readily obtainable?” This was a question, notice of which was given by Mr. H. Atmore (Independent, Nelson) on behalf of tne member for Napier (Hon. W. E. Barnard) to the Acting-Prime Minister in the House yesterday.

The Evidence Emergency Regulations, 1941, gazetted last night, provide that any officer of His Majesty’s naval, military, or air forces, whether of the rank of lieutenant-commander, major, squadron leader or equivalent rank, may, while serving outside New Zealand, administer oaths to and take affidavits from any member of the forces. Such affidavits and oaths will be as effectual as if administered or sworn before any lawful authority in New Zealand, and will be admissible in evidence without proof of rank of the officer.—P.A.

At yesterday morning’s sitting of the Medical Board at Greymouth, 21 men called for Territorial service were examined, 17 being passed as fit, three as temporarily unfit, and only one as permanently unfit. One man, called for overseas service, was passed fit. Last evening, 16 men called for Territorial service were examined, 12 being passed as fit, three as temporarily unfit and one as permanently unfit. One man called for overseas service was graded temporarily unfit and another was regraded as fit.

It is learned that Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist, M.P. for Bay of Plenty, served through the campaign in Crete and was evacuated from the island on June 2. His experience in Crete, as related in letters, indicates that Lieutenant Hultquist was in the thick of the righting, and that his escape was providential. His brother Ronald was wounded in the hip and was later posted as missing, the probability being that he was taken prisoner with other New Zealand wounded whom it was impossible to evacuate.

Several members of the Greymouth Borough Council were again in a loquacious mood, last evening, and there were some’ lengthy debates, involving rather heated' passages. The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) appealed for expedition, but as 10 p.m. approached he remarked that they might as well take their time, as the proceedings would, apparently not be concluded before midnight. “I do hope that Councillors will cease these useless recriminations,” he remarked. “Snarling at each other across the table is very undignified!” The Council went into committee at 10 D.m.

Increases in- old age pensions to meet the higher cost of living were sought in a petition presented to the House of Representatives yesterday 1 by the Minister for Supply (Mr Sullivan). The petition was signed by T. S. Jackson and 684 other pensioners in Christchurch. The petitioners claimed that since March. 1939, the cost of living had increased rapidly, yet both old age pensions and allowable income had remained stationary. As 90 per cent, of pensioners depended on their pension, they asked for substantial increases, and also that allowable income should be increased by an amount equal to the increase in the cost of living.

The Farmers’ Union, by a small majority,-yesterday adopted a remit , that all persons refusing military service, or convicted of making subver- ■ sive statements, should be deprived of civil rights for the duration and 19 years thereafter. The mover, Mr. O. C. Wilkinson (Nelson), said the courts were too lenient to those persons who were undermining the position while others were fighting overseas. Mr. R. C. Clark (Auckland) said that the remit was unwarranted. The principle was all right, but there seemed to be an excess of zeal. They could trust the courts. The conference also agreed that conscientious-objectors should be compelled to do alternative service at military rates of pay. Children’s Woollen Ankle Sox. A choice selection of shades. Small sizes 2/9 to 3/3 pair. Brown Marl in sizes 7to 10, 3/6 ad 3/9 pair.—C. Smith’s. —Advt. Furs .are on the rise. We have a nice new stock at old prices in Coats; Capes; Boleros and Stoles. You can lay-by any time.—White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre.—Advt.

“A lot of people will not buy petrol in other than one- and two gallon lots,” said Mr A. L. Martin at the inquiry into a claim at Napier for exemption from the provision of the Napier oil fuel retail hours order. Mr J. A. Gilmour, S.M.: They are frightened of having it stolen, Mr Martin: That is 'the position exactly, sir. ■ ■ ,

Far north of the usual latitude for such animals, a well-grown sea lion has made a temporary home on the South Breakwater at Greymouth during the past few days. Yesterday afternoon, the sea lion wasjrasking on the rocks about half-way between the signal station and the end of the breakwater, but he had disappeared this morning.

An incident which provided no little amusement among members of the Vice-Regal party during the visit to the Palmerston North Public Hospital occurred when Lady Newall, espying a bath-chair irf'one of tne passages, exclaimed: “You know, in all my life I’ve wanted to ride in one of these!” and, seating herself in the chair, commenced to propel herself about the passage amidst peals of laughter from members of the party.

The New Zealand Government is making a gift to Mr. Roosevelt of a set of the official Centennial publications. Mr. Parry that the volumes, which had been bound, would be handed to the President by Mr. Fraser, on his forthcoming visit to the United States. Similar sets were also to be presentedJo Mr. Cordell Hull, Mr. Stimson, Colonel Knox, and Mr. Mackenzie King.—P.A.

Discussion at a meeting of the Wellington School Committees and Educational Federation centred on the use of movie projectors in schools. At one stage a member rose to his feet and bemoaned the fact that while his school had a projector and almost everyone was 100 per cent, in favour of it, it did not get much used, as the headmaster was 100 per cent, against it. “Change your headmaster,” was the advice of the president (Mr N. E. Dalmer).

Ikamatua R.S.A. annual Ball, Saturday, August 9. Proceeds in aid of Patriotic Funds. Kit Kat Band.. The ball of the season! —Advt.

The weekly meeting of the Runanga Debating Club was held last evening, and there was a good attendance. The programme consisted of impromptu speeches, and a wide range of subjects was chosen. The np«i light was an impression _ of a welcoming speech to the Minister of Mines, and the Minister’s reply. Last week, a prepared debate on the subject of the abolition of the 40-hour week in war time was held, with a team from the United Club. Mr. R. T. Bush was judge, and the visiting team were declared winners.

Consumers are notified that the power will be cut off on Sunday at Coal Creek. Runanga, Dunollie, Rewanui, Rapahoe and Nine Mile from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m., and at Ten Mile, Twelve Mile, White’s Electric and Barrytown from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.—Advt.

An incident of 40 years ago was recalled at last evening’s meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council, when a letter was received from Mr J. W. Massey, of Christchurch, who stated that he had attained his 80th year. He offered the Council an opportunity of purchasing a picture showing the presentation of a casket to King George V., when he visited New Zealand as Prince of Wales, in 1901. A number of West Coasters were concerned in the presentation, and Mr Massey, suggested, that ths picture would be suitable for hanging in the Council Chamber. It ■would, he added, be sold to the highest bidder. In reply to a question, the Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) said the picture had arrived, but had not been unpacked for inspection. The Council decided to make no offer for it, and to request Mr Massey’s instructions regarding the return of the picture to Christchurch.

A deputation from the Blaketown Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Association, comnrising Messrs W. Herring, J. W. Grant, and P. J. McEnaney, waited on the Greymouth Borough Council, last evening, and requested that a subsidy be given, with the object of strengthening the proposed Harbour Board bridge to be erected near Gresson Street, so that it could be used by general traffic. The Board’s Engineer had stated that small extra cost would be involved. Such a mode of access would be of great benefit to the residents of Blaketown. and the business people of Greymouth. It would also be of value in the event of a flood. Cr. F. F. Boustridge moved that the Borough Engineer confer with the Harbour,Board Engineer, and prepare an estimate of the cost of strengthening ths proposed bridge, to. provide for one-way traffic. The motion was seconded by Cr. J. B. Kent, and it was carried. Cr. A. H. McKane suggested that theprovision of a footway for pedestrians should also be considered. Mr Herring returned thanks on behalf of the deputation. "