Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1942, Page 4

Local and General

The Reserve Bank announced I to day, that Liberty Loan receipts total £ 7 ’ 593 ,870 m dup as follow: Two and a-half pei cent 194' stock £2.892,160; three per cent. stock £4.701,710.—P.A.

Damage caused by recent heavy and slips to the Rewanui railway line has been repaired, and the heavier type ol engine is running on the incline section. -Lue Rewanui weighbridge is still put ol action, owing to damage caused by a. slip, and, mean while, the coal is being weighed at Greymouth.

Reporting to the monthly meeting of the Grey Electric Power Board, last evening, the Engineer (Mr. Sinclair Trotter) stated that n the past month nine electric ranges have been connected by the Board’s staff, and that 11 new consumers have been connected, bringing the total number of consumers to 5,1(1-,. Extensions and alterations to 28 existing installations had also been carried out.

As the result of a fall from the window of his bedroom on the second storey of ihe Commercial Hotel, about 6.30 o’clock yesterday morning, Andrew Riley, 56, waterside worker, was admitted to the Grey Hospital, suffeimg from a fracture of the right upper thigh. Mr. Riley, a boarder at the hotel, had been m bed for two or three days, suffering from influenza. It is not known how the accident happened, but it is thought that he may have walked in his sleep.

There is absolutely.no hope of altering tne War Cabinet’s decision not to declare an open season for game this year. This information was contained jn a telegram which was received by the president of the Council of South Island Acclimatisation Societies (Mr. G L. Pomfret Dodd) from the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) following representations made to the Government asking reconsideration of the decision to revoke the open season. The decision, said Mr. Fraser s telegram, was made by the War Cabinet on strong recommendations from the Army authorities. It was not agreed with by tne Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) who strongly represented the case for the shooters. 'However, the War Cabinet decided that the defence of New Zealand must be the first consideration.

Action in limiting the age of new entrants into the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union to 45 years was commented on by the Crown representative on the Auckland Area Manpower Committee (Mr. L. N. Harris) last night, when appeals in respect ot nine watersiders were heard. The appeals were lodged by the Waterfront Control Commission on the ground of the public interest. Decision was reserved in all the cases.—P.A.

“The industry is more essential than at the last time I appeared before you,” said Mr. J. S. Robertson (representing the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association) at a sitting of the No. 5a Armed Forces Appeal Board, at Greymouth. “We are already working on Saturdays,” he added, “and the time is coming when we might consider Sunday work. We have already asked for the release of certain men from camp.”

At a meeting of the Grey Electric Power Board last evening, it was decided to make arrangements for the reading of meters every two months, instead of monthly as at present, on account of the loss of one of the meter-readers to the armed forces. It was also resolved that the recent five per cent increase in wages granted be paid to all employees of the Board, whether they are covered by awards or not, with the following maximums:—males 5/-, females 2/6, juniors 1/6.

The Minister for Supply (Mr. Sullivan), confirming the statement on wheat supplies to New Zealand made by the Australian Minister for Commerce, said that during his recent visit io Australia he concluded negotiations with the Australian Government which resulted in satisfactory arrangements as far as New Zealand was concerned. Considerable quantities of wheat had been made available to New Zealand at a favourable price. A considerable amount of wheat had already arrived in the Dominion and was 'being used as additional reserve storage in various centres to supplement the locally grown reserves oi wheat. —P.A.

“One thing arising out of the present war is that the salute is in danger. Personally I hope that it will go, and by its disappearance I do not believe that discipline will be affected in the slightest. It is a greater nuisance to the officers than to the men,” said the Hon W. E. Barnard, M.P., when speaking at the Taradale and district returned soldiers’ reunion recently. Mr. Barnard explained that the saiute had its origin in 1702, when it was brought into use by the Royal Scots Regiment. It was then the practice for soldiers to lift their hats, which were adorned with quantities ot lace. To save the hats from being soiled, an order was given that, instead ol lifting the headgear, the palm ol the hand be raised to the forehead.

Various excuses were offered by Timaru residents for not supporting the Patriotic Appeal made last week, but there were others who viewed the matter in a different light. One collector left an envelope at the shop of a Chinese citizen and she had some difficulty in conveying to him the object of the call. He said, however, that he would consult his friends. Later the collector returned for the envelope, and it was handed over, containing a few shillings, the Chinese remarking: “Velly sorry, business no good.” The collector expressed her thanks and said that every little would help win the war. “What did you say?” remarked the Chinese. “Win the war? You give me money.” The collector returned the envelope and received in exchange a £5 note.

Mr. J. O’Brien. M.P., will speak on N.Z. War Effort and the New Order at Kumara, to-morrow night, arm Ross, on Saturday night.—Advt.

Found hiding on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu by the police, a reservist, Mcrvyn Stanley Bergerson, who failed to report when called on April 27, 1942, for military service, appeared in the Ohakune Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, to be followed by detention in a defaulters camp. Six weeks' ago members oi the Ohakune Home Guard exploring bush on the sides of Mount Ruapehu, found a sign incorrectly placed along a track. Following this track, the Home Guardsmen came upon a hut about live miles from Ohakune. Later two men were seen in the locality, one of them being identified as Bergerson. When a warrant for the arrest of Bergerson was issued recently, the police organised a search party. Making their way through dense bush for about five hours, the party came upon the hut. It was deserted, but was lifted up with stores, tools, and bunks. The police later discovered the accused hiding in a paddock behind his home. When he was accosted his hair had not been cut for several months anil lie had a thick beard.

“Although Army headquarters and the Transport Department must, or ought to, have at their disposal the records of what was done elsewhere in immobilising motor vehicles against enemy use, no lead has yet come to assist the motoring public,” states the New Zealand Motor World. “Surely someone in authority somewhere has been seized with the importance of avoiding further delay, or, indeed, possible last-minute chaos. Automobile associations have been discussing alternative methods—some simple, some complicated and impracticable-— and the expedients outlined have no doubt reached official quarters. Surely it is not necessary for a deputation to have to wait on someone or other to draw attention to such a vital war-time contingency. It is clear that the motoring public should receive definite and immediate guidance, and to that desirable end the motor unions have been asked to approach army headquarters.”

“Rayarna”—that new wool-like fabric—it feels degrees lighter than it looks, and it wears to a standstill. You will realise its worth and buy several lengths of it while the range is so wide and almost unlimited. Plain and checks, from 4/11.—C. Smith’s.—Advt.

Have your blankets washed by the Westland Laundry Ltd. They are carefully washed in Lux Soap and fluffed in a modern dryer, which thoroughly airs the blankets ready for use. ’Phone 136. —Advt.

Buy now and buy at White’s. Stock will be scarce; get in while you can. We lead the way for style, quality and value. White’s Corner. Your Fashion Centre.—Advt.