LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1942, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

One case of diphtheria was notified in Westland, during the week ended yesterday. The Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department advises that telegrams for the Straits Settlements, including Singapore, may no longer be accepted. An extraordinary Gazette, published yesterday, announced that a state of war has existed between New Zealand and Thailand since 5 p.m. on January 25.

The Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) has appealed to leaders of the churches in New Zealand to support and further the observance of Sunday, February 22, as the occasion for special gatherings of Boy Scouts at Divine service. He has also asked that church people show their approval of the movement by attending such services.

The projected increase of production of biscuit cases to more than three times the 1941 quantity was referred to in a letter from the Timber Controller, read during the hearing of an appeal for five employees of a boxmaking company before the Christchurch Manpower Committee yesterday. These cases were to be used for packing biscuits to be sent overseas to the military forces.

In order to mark the change of identity of the unit, now known as the 17th Independent Rifle Company, members of the National Reserve at Greymouth held a social at Herb. Moore’s, last evening, when Sergeant F. F. Boustridge presided over a large attendance. The guests of honour were Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Duke, Officer Commanding the Area, and Colonel C. E. Butcher. The following toast list was honoured: “The King”; “Overseas Forces” (Captain J. McKnight—Captain A. R. Curtis); “The National Military Reserve” (Colonel Butcher—C.Q.M.S. Ramage and C.S.M. Gladstone); “O.C. Group, Lieu-tenant-Colonel Duke” (The Chairman —Lieut.-Col. Duke); “Outgoing Members” (Corp. Oliver—Mr. A. J. Fairmaid). Items were given by Mr. T. Learmont, Corp. Blumsky, Lieut. Hutton. Pte. A. Charles and Cadet-Lieut. F. Bowers.

For 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.

“The signing of the declaration of service on the enrolment card of the Emergency Reserve Corps is not mandatory on the part of the oerson enrolling,” the Associate Minister for National Service (Mr. Wilson) said, in reply to an inquiry by the Christchurch branch of the Society of Friends. “In the Emergency Reserve Corps Enrolment Order, 1942, the Minister requires the persons specified in the order to apply for enrolment, and if their services are accepted they are required to serve,” the Minister said. “Emergency Precautions Services may accept the application of any person who is not prepared to sign the declaration, and he will then become a legal member of the branch to which he is posted, and will be subject to the conditions of service which may be gazetted for that branch,” Mr. Wilson continued. “I am pleased to give you an unqualified assurance that all branches of the Emergency Reserve Corps have been organised on a strictly civilian basis, and are entirely under civilian control. It is intended to maintain that position,” the Minister concluded.

The Christchurch-Greymouth railcar was .an hour and 20 minutes late in arriving at Greymouth this morning, owing to the engine of an Arthur’s Pass-Springfield goods train breaking down between Staircase and Kowhai Bush, and blocking the line. The Blackball State mine, which has been working regularly for some time, was idle yesterday and again today, but it is hoped that the mine will . resume later in the week. The cause of the stoppage is an accumulation of water in the working places. Tne pumps were not able to cope with the quantity of water, as they were previously arranged, and a re-arrange-ment of the gear was necessary. It 1 was stated by officials at the mine office, to-day, that the water was being pumped out, and that the face would ; be ready for working within the next two days. The Hawke’s Bay County Council ’ has decided to request the Government to repeal Clause 21 of the Military Service Act, so that all con--1 scientious objectors, whether their appeals' have been dismissed or not, should be sent to the defaulters’ camp. , One councillor said that if a reservist ' could square his appeal with the Act, r he was exempted from service, and . henceforth he wore a smug smile of L satisfaction at having gained his freer dom. He mentioned that four in one family, one that had only recen : been converted, had been exempted. All conscientious objectors should be ’ sent to the defaulters’ camp. “Or to gaol,” said another councillor.—P.A. ? “The Court is not concerned with a title a man may or may not have,” 5 stated Mr E. L. Walton. S.M., in the Gisborne Magistrate's Court, when a civil case was called in which the . parties were shown on the plaint as Dr. and Mr . Mr Walton t added that all a person was entitled to have on the plaint was his Christian name, surname, occupation, and > address, and he said he would not deal with a case in the future if any I title was given. A .British citizen . was not entitled to it, and with an alien, as in the present case, the ori* dinary procedure would have to be followed. Pedestrians in Manukau road, , Auckland, were recently amazed to . see what looked like dozens of dancc ing black kittens in the front garden i of a house. On closer inspection they proved to be the ingenious invention t of an enthusiastic gardener. The “kittens” were composed of round balls 1 of black fur attached to strings and equipped with long dangling tails. Apparently the idea worked, because - there was not a bird to be seen. Several excited dogs, vainly trying to 1 jump the fence, testified to their real- | ism. Prices must rise still further. 3 Secure your “Premier” Suit now , while stocks are available. “Premier,” the master suit, obtainable s only at C. Smith’s. —Advt.