LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 January 1942, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Four building permits, representing work valued at £llOO, were issued in the Borough of Greymouth, during December, 1941.

Fees collected at the Greymouth Municipal abattoirs during December totalled £156/18/6. Stock was dealt with as follows: Cows 23, bullocks 142, sheep 413 (two condemned), lambs 475, pigs 114, calves 19. A cheque for £lOOO has been given to the Cancer Campaign Society by Mr. Charles Todd, Wellington, with the wish that the money be used specially in connection with the work of the Wellington division.

Arrested for drunkenness in Johnston Street, early this morning, a statutory first ' offender was fined 10/-, the amount of his bail, by Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth, to-day. Evidently as a result of yesterday’s official announcement by the Government, that service in the Emergency Precautions Scheme is to be compulsory, 13 enrolments had been received at the office of the Greymouth Borough Council, up to 11 a.m. to-day.

In spite of wars and rumours of wars, the juveniles of Greymouth are not being forgotten altogether by the Borough Council. The Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) reported to last evening’s meeting that two merry-go-rounds for children’s playgrounds have been constructed, and one has been erected in the Children’s Park.

Customs Import Prohibition Order, 1942, No. 1, which is brought down with the Gazette last night, prohibits the importations, save with the consent of the Minister for Customs, of any Treasury notes appearing to be issued by the Government of Hong Kop.g and any banknotes appearing to be issued in the colony of Hong Kong or payable in that colony.—P.A.

Fire broke out about seven o’clock this morning, in a shed at the rear of the Midland Sawmilling Coy.’s building in Richmond Quay, but little damage was done. The Greymouth Fire Brigade arrived promptly, and after breaking into the building soon extinguished the blaze, which apparently broke out in a number of sacks which were in the shed. The origin of the fire is unknown.

Thirty-four trucks of sheep and lambs have been sent to Canterbury this week, from the West Coast, the greater proportion for freezing works, but some for the Addington market, which was held on Wednesday. Fifteen trucks of sheep and lambs and one truck of cattle were sent on Tuesday night, five of sheep and lambs on Wednesday, and 14 last evening.

“It is no use persons asking me to interfere with the decisions of the licensing authorities when their trucks are impressed, for I won’t do it,” said the Minister for Transport (Mr. Semple). at Christchurch, yesterday. The complaint of Mr. J. W. McGlinchy (Government member on the Poultry Board), made at a public meeting on Wednesday, that the Minister had declined to interfere was referred to Mr. Semple for comment. 4

The quarterly meeting of the Thorndon Methodist Circuit resolved: That this meeting deplores the undue prominence given in the Press to the pacific views of certain members-and adherents of the Methodist Church, which we feel is suffering unjustly, as the result thereof. We affirm our. loyalty to the King and British Commonwealth of Nations, and believe that if our right to worship, and freedom to live in peace and harmony with all men is worth anything, it is worth fighting for. —P.A.

In connection with the announcement made in the “Star” yesterday that some Greymouth grocery firms were about to cease deliveries, on account of having already used the whole of their month’s petrol allowance, it was stated, to-day, by a person with a knowledge of the trade, that the competitive spirit had entered into the matter. The “Star’s” informant claimed that some grocers had tried to make customers’ deliveries twice a week, whereas others had found that once a week was all that was necessary.

At the meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council in December, the Employment Bureau, Labour Department, advised that approval had been given for an extension of the authority to cover the subsidy, on the basis of 100 per cent, wages cost, in respect of the employment of 50 registered and eligible men for a further period of 13 weeks from January 1, 1942, on work authorised. The Controller had noted that the question of providing for part of the wages cost of Scheme 13 work was to be investigated in January, and it was desired that information as to the extent to which the Council would provide finance should be communicated. As the result of a discussion at last evening’s meeting, it was deciued to reply that the Council requires the full amount of the subsidy from the Government.

Books issued from the Greymouth Municipal Library during 1941 totalled 23,591; membership tickets 416, children’s tickets 241; books placed on shelves 300, Subscriptions £146/10/-, children’s subscriptions ' £l4/10/3, fine £3B/2/-, total £199/2/3. Books issued during January, 1942, totalled 1146, membership tickets 9, children’s tickets 4, books placed on shelves 25. The Librarians (Misses M. L. Cunliffe and E. Bignell) reported: “During the Christmas week the library was closed, and extensive reorganisation was carried out before the changeover to the Free Country Library Service. The scheme, up to the present, is working favourably. We wish to thank Miss McLaughlin for the help given in the change-over, which entailed a good deal of work for her. Up to date (January 22) registrations have been 644, and 2178 books have been issued.” Cr. J. Saunders: “It does not say what the pay collection fees amounted to?” The Mayor:'“No. It is only for part of the month.” He added that there had been a considerable improvement in the lighting of the library, owing to the height of the bays having been reduced.

| Flags were flown at half-mast on public buildings at Greymouth to-day, marking the funeral of the Duke of Connaught.

Two sittings of the Medical Board were held at Greymouth yesterday, when men called for both overseas and Territorial service were examined. Of the four Territorials, two were classed as fit, one as temporarily unfit and the grading of one man was deferred. Of the 16 men called for overseas service, eight were classed as fit, foui’ as temporarily unfit, two as permanently unfit and the gradings of two men were deferred.

Six writers of indiscreet letters were fined in the Suva Police Court recently when they appeared before the Resident Magistrate on charges of attempting to communicate information which might be useful to the enemy. The information, mostly relating to shipping and troop movements, was contained in letters which had been intercepted by the censor. The magistrate stated that the prosecutions were the first of their kind in Suva, and it was pointed out that the offences were more unwitting than deliberate. Fines ranging from £3 to £7 were imposed, the magistrate stating that future offenders would be more severely dealt with.

Severe damage was done to the upholstery and interior fittings of an almost new taxi, owned by Mr. N. Morresey, as the result of a mysterious outbreak of fire shortly before 5 o’clock this morning. The car was parked outside Mr. Morresey s residence, in Nelson Quay, Cobden, and had not been used since comparatively early in the night. When discovered, the fire had a good hold in the upholstery of the front seat and although quickly extinguished by a bucket brigade, formed by neighbours, did considerable damage. There was no indication of a fault in the electrical system, and it is believed that there were indications that some unauthorised person had been tampering with the car just before the fire occurred. Writing to the Greymouth Borough Council, on behalf of the GovernorGeneral (Sir Cyril Newall), Captain C. J. Holland-Martin, A.D.C., thanked the Mayor and those associated with him, for the excellent arrangements made in connection with the recent visit to Greymouth of Sir Cyril and Lady Newall. “Their Excellencies greatly appreciated the sincere reception which was accorded to them, and ask me to say that they carried away the most happy recollections of their first official visit to your town.” The Mayor, on behalf of Mrs. Kitchingham and himself, expressed thanks to all those people, official and unofficial, who helped in making the arrangements for the visit. There was, he said, a tremendous amount of assistance given, and he did not propose to specify anyone in particular.

We have just opened a comprehensive selection of Bed Spreads, Cottage Weaves and Fancy Fabrics in all shades and sizes. Priced at 22/6. 26/6, 31/6.—C. Smith.—Advt.

Prices must rise still further. Secure your “Premier” Suit now while stocks are available. “Premier,” the master suit, obtainable only at C. Smith’s. —Advt.