LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1942, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Brass badges and buttons on Territorial uniforms are to be blackened, following an Army instruction. Most units will cease to wear the distinctive patches, according to an omcei at Southern Military District headquarters yesterday.

The Runanga Patriotic Society acknowledges the following donations to the Heart-to-Heart appeal: Women’s War Service Auxiliary, £8 15/-; carol singing (Mrs. J. Hewison, organiser), £2O/5/3; also sundry personal donations totalling £2/5/o.

The Commissioner of Transport, Mr G. L. Laurenson, advised the Rangitikei County Council that colours had not yet been decided upon for the windscreen discs which it was proposed would replace numberplates during the next licence year. No colour had been stipulated lor the paper on which the drivers’ licences were to be printed.

The executive of the Otago Automobile Association has endorsed the action of the Motor Union in pressing for a relaxation of the petrol restrictions to allow one coupon a month, it was pointed out that in the event oi an emergency most cars would not be usable because of run-down batteries. Motorists could not understand why, during two years’ restrictions, stocks had not been collected and why New Zealand was the only Dominion which had not provided for an emergency.— P.A.

The employment of women is likely to be a feature of the new fishing season which has recently begun at Stewart Island. As there is a shortage of fishermen, the Seamen’s Union has granted permission for girls to go fishing, without joining the union, their work being a war effort. One girl has already spent a day at this new occupation, and she expects to be joined by two more. A new and more simple method of cleaning fish is being used, so that when the larger catches are being handled it will be possible to employ female labour in this branch of the fishing industry.

At a meeting of the Grey Hospital Board, last evening, the thanks of the Board were extended to the Greymouth Public Library (for books for the Old People’s Home), Blaketown School (for flowers and fruit), Mrs. Baxter (for a table-tennis table for the Nurses’ Home), Boustridge and Hall, Duncan McLean, Ltd., E. McDonnell, P. Grogan (goods in kind for Christmas cheer), Mrs. Keating, Misses Craig, Dr. McKay (for flowers), Mrs. Connors (old linen), Mr. Auton and Miss McNaugton (entertainment), and Mrs. McClennan (magazines).

Comment on what he termed the “glaring anomaly” of freedom allowed motorists in the use of headlights, and the household lighting restrictions, was made by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., at Auckland, when dealing with lighting breaches. “While the Courts are enforcing the restrictions and pointing out the danger and the necessity for obeying them, motor-cars are going down the roads leading to the sea with their lights glaring and lighting up whole streets,” the Magistrate said. “The headlights are on the supposed restricted beam, but it seems to me there is a glaring anomaly in the way cars are permitted to use their lights on the roads leading to the waterfront. Some of those headlights are almost searchlights and must be visible from beyond the gulf limits. I think the authorities should look into this matter urgently. There is nothing like glaring anomalies of this nature to break the spirit of co-operation of others.”

The Chatauqua Medals for primary school boys and girls on the Coast, will be competed for at the swimming Carnival next Saturday afternoon. Post entries. All entries for handicap events close at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) at the Baths.— Advt.

Dr. and Mrs. S. C. Allen (New Plymouth) have been advised that their son-in-law, Mr. Osmai’ E. White, Melbourne, has been appointed official correspondent in the Western Pacific war zone for three Australian newspapers. Mr. White was chief of the reporting staff of the “Taranaki Daily News” for two years until 1937, when he left for Wellington. Mr. White has been a member of the literary staff of the “Melbourne Sun News Pictorial” for nearly three years. His appointment carries with it the rank of lieutenant, and the territory to be covered extends from the Celebes and Solomon Islands southwards to Australia. The three papers for which Mr. White will be correspondent are the “Melbourne Sun,” the “Sydney Daily TeleSi’ a ph,” and. the “Brisbane Courier Mail. ’ Little of the Western Pacific [egion be new ground to Mr. White, who spent some time in New Guinea and the Pacific islands several years ago. He is an experienced amateur photographer.

Mass will be celebrated on next Sunday (Quinquagesima Sunday), February 15, at Te Kinga, 8 a.m., and at Kokiri, 10.30 a.m.—Advt.

Unusual reasons were advanced in a letter from Mr N. M. Orbell, a member of the Board of Governors of die Canterbury Agricultural College, resigning from the board of that institution. Mr Orbell had placed his resignation in the hands of the board at the preceding meeting, but the board had written to him asking him to reconsider his decision. A reply was received at yesterday’s meeting from Mr Orbell adhering to his former decision. Before the petrol restrictions, he said, he could return to Timaru in the afternoon and reach his home at night. Under the conditions imposed by the restrictions he would if he remained a member, haVe nothing to do but walk about Christchurch for the rest of the day, and would be three days away from his home. At his age, he was not prepared to do this. The board accepted the resignation with regret, members speaking appreciatively of Mr Orbell’s services over his 18 years of membership. Mr Orbell represented the South Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Associations on the Board of Governors.

Mr. Norman Stouppe of Barry and Stouppe, Opticians, is in Greymouth, and may be consulted for sight testing to-morrow at the surgery of Mr. D. Mcßrearty, dental surgeon.—Advt.

Freight hauled through the Otira tunnel from the West Coast to Canterbury last week amounted to 13,927 tons, compared with 13,093 tons in the corresponding week of last year, an increase of 834 tons.- In. 1940 the corresponding total was 12,377 tons.

When a horse which she was riding at Kokiri, yesterday, bolted and threw her, Miss Peggy Pascoe, aged 19 years, of Cowper Street, Greymouth, suffered a cut on the head and severe bruising. The horse shied at a train whistle and bolted some distance down the road before the rider was dislodged.

After conferring with the Government authorities, the United Fire Brigades’ Association executive has abandoned the conference at Westport, and is calling a special conference in Wellington next month, to consider emergency fire-fighting problems raised bv the war situation.— P.A.

Through a fall from a ladder this morning, John Connors, 56. a gold miner, residing in Preston Road, received a fracture of the right wrist and a fracture of the right arm. He .was admitted to the Grey Hospital, and his condition this afternoon was stated to be satisfactory.

Guests at Revingtons Hotel include: Mr. H. J. Murray, Mr. T. Hanham, Mr. P. Henderson, Mr. J. Binsted, Mr. J. G. Collins, Mr. C. G. McKellar, Mr. S. Ashley Wade, Mr. W. J. Watkins,Mr. G. W. Brown, Mr. J. Pargeter, Mrs. Mayo, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Ironside (Christchurch), Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Ower and J. B. Ower junr. (Palmerston North), Mr. E. R. Smith (Dunedin), Mr. A. S. Wyness (Timaru), Mr, E. W. Watson (Wellington), Mr. G. Manson (Nelson), Mr. H. Lovell (Westport).

Foi- a few days longer White’s continue to give 5/- in the £ off Frocks and 4/- in the £ off Coats. White’s Corner. Your fashion centre.—Advt.

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.