Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1942, Page 4

Local and General

Miss C. Newman was appointed as junior assistant in the Municipal. Library, by the Greymouth Borough Council, last evening. There were three applicants, but one ol them did' not hold the required matriculation qualification. For the 12 months ended March 31. 1942, 76 building permits were issued in the Borough of Greymouth for work valued :u £22,043 (21 for private dwellings valued at £ll 963/10/-. and three for business premises valued at £ 6568). The Railways Department erected 10 dwellings, valued at £10.964 iw> permits were issued in the Borough last month, for work valued at £lB5.

From the commencement of the second. rationing period for sugar on Monday next, '' ■has been decided that coupons No. 4 to No. 8 may be used at any time during . the tourweekly period ending .Tune 21. This alteration from past procedure has been made to reduce the work of retailers, in cutting out coupon', also to save paper bags.—P. A.

The International Red Cross confirms an announcement of March 12 concerning three civilian internees in Japan—John M. Jones, Sydney Richard Wallace, and Maxwell McQuinn (previously reported as Murray McQuinn) —and adds that it is now known that they are interned at Kobe. Advice to this effect has been received by the Department of Internal Affairs. —P.A.

The James and Strongman State mines were idle to-day, as a result of a dispute over the transport services to and from the mines. Lack of accommodation is the complaint of the men, but it is understood that the bus proprietor has one of his buses off the road lor repairs, and that while he has been able to secure the services of a Grevmouth bus for the morning trip, this week, the extra bus has not been available in the afternoons, with the result that two trips have had to be made with one >f the other buses. A conference between the Union and the management was held this afternoon.

The annual meeting of the Ngahere W.I. took place in Ngahere Hall recently. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: President: Mrs. Burr (re-elected): vice-president: Mrs. Armstrong; secretary: Mrs. R. Donaldson; treasurer: Mrs. Thornton (re-elected). A renort of the Federation meeting held recently in Greymouth was read by the delegate. Mrs. Burr. The monthly competition, soldiers’ scarves, resumed: Mrs. Sheehan 1, Mrs. Thornton 2, Mrs. Burr. H.C. It was resolved to hold monthly meetings in private homes for the Winter months, hostesses to arrange between themselves whose homes are to be used. Afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mesdames Richardson and McGuire.

Tar consumed in the Borough of Greymouth during the year 1941-42 amounted to 40,588 gallons, bringing the annual average over the past 10 years to 30,289 gallons. Books issued from the Greymouth Municipal Library during April totalled 5,420 (Country Library Service 1,167, free 3,717, rental 536). Registrations 149. Cash receipts: Non-resident subscriptions 10/-; rental, fines, extra books £l3/3/9.

“That the Council pay the full insurance premiums of employees while the men are away on active service. —This motion, moved by Cr. J. B. Kent and seconded by Cr. P. Blanchfield, junr., was passed last evening by the Grevmouth Borough Council. Cr. Kent said it was the least they could do for the men, as the Council did not have a superannuation scheme for its employees.

In future no one may purchase or instal a new of a used milking machine without the permission of the Dairy Inspector for his district. This provision is contained in the Milking Machine Control Order. 1942, gazetted last night. The object of the order is to conserve the use of war rubber and metals, particularly the former, and the order is being instituted at the request of the factory controller. —P.A.

The story “that the Red Cross and St. John could collect only for sick and wounded and not for combatants was one which they had built up round themselves, said Mr. L. A. Hayden. Dominion secretary ol tne National Patriotic Fund Board, speaking at an Ashburton meeting yesterday. There was nothing in the Geneva Convention to say they could not collect like that; it only put a restriction on the use of the Red Cross emblem in war time, said Mr. Hayden. The tale that they could not work for the combatant forces was a myth he added.

“It would be good if we could say the same thing of this country, remarked Mr. C. J. Lovegrove at a meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council when a report from an Australian trade journal on the milk ration and consumption by American troops was submitted. It mentioned that in a military camp in America the milk bar sales had amounted to about twice the sales of beer. Army nutrition experts had decided upon one pint of milk or its equivalent as a minimum for the soldier’s daily diet. At an American air corps training school each cadet consumed approximately one quart of milk a day, added the report.

An intimation that the question ol the observance of the late shopping night, or the earlier closing of shops, is bound up with an important policy matter has been given by the Associate Minister of National Service, Mr. D. Wilson, in a letter to the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop. “While 1 am unable to give any definite indication of possible changes ol policy in regal'd to the earlly closing of shops,” the Minister states, “I am able to say that the whole question ol prevention of concentration ol the public, particularly during the hours of darkness, is being thoroughly examined from all aspects, including the accumulation of people after evening entertainments.” The latest figures available in Wellington show that about 16001 b. of ergot was collected in New Zealand as a result of the campaign inaugurated as a patriotic effort at the beginning of the Summer. Further small lots may yet arrive at merchants' stores. The Auckland Province had produced by far the biggest amount of any district, said Mr. H. B. Martin, secretary of the New Zealand Grain. Seed, and Produce Merchants’ Federation, announcing the result of the season's work. The quality of the ergot sent in was generally very high, at least 80 per cent, being first grade. Mr. Martin said he understood the Government intended to ship the ergot to England, but some might bo used in New Zealand.—(P.A.)

"Someone has had us on.” declared Cr. P. Blanchfield. junr., at last evening's meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council. He produced a library book for inspection, and said that such books were being sold to the Council at 7/6 each, the matter being of indifferent standard, and the binding poor. Cr. F. F. Boustridge said he would value the book at 2/6. It was a "Wild West" thriller, and he would not drcam ol' paying 7/6 for it. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham): “It is certain Dial we cannot afford that. The book would have to go out 30 times in order to pay for itself, and it would not last 30 readings.” Cr. J. B. Kent (Chairman of the Library Committee) said he could assure the Council that he did not select books of that class. However, certain people wanted such books. He would bring the matter before the librarians.

A number of increases in Social Security benefits and pensions are provided for in the Social Security and Pensions Emergency Regulations, 1942, which were gazetted last night. Under the regulations, 5 per cent, bonuses are to be granted on age benefits, widows’ benefits, orphans' benefits, miners’ benefits, and Maori War benefits on the maximum pensions payable. Family benefits are to be increased by 50 per cent. For instance, a man receiving a benefit of four shillings a week lor each child will receive a bonus of two shillings on each child and in addition the allowable income for the family allowance is increased from £5 to £5/5/-. War veterans’ allowances are also to be increased by 5 per cent, of the maximum rate, and all economic pensions will be increased by 15 per cent. Commenting on the increases made in the benefits, the Minister for Social Security (Mr. Parry) said that the amounts granted were in the form of a bonus to help meet war conditions. — (P.A.).

Coir doormats, now obtainable in two sizes. 14 x 24, 3/6: 16 x 26, 3/11. Stocks are limited so don't delav, C. Smiths.—Advt.

In the course of a discussion at last evening’s meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council. Cr. H. Herring moved: “That the Council write to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Manpower, requesting the establishment of a system of rotation tor men in camp in New Zealand, so that they may be released when trained, and allowed to return to industry.” There were a considerable number of men in camp, fully trained, who could be released, he said. They would still be available at short notice in case of an emergency. The men became disgruntled if they were kept in camp indefinitely, and it would be better to send them back to industry. The motion was seconded by Cr. P. BlanchHeld, junr. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) said that the motion was really a vote of no-confidence in the Government. Cr. J. B. Kent pointed out that the Government had invited constructive suggestions. Cr. F. F. Boustridge said that to forward such a motion would be a waste of valuable paper. Every available man was needed in the army. Cr. Herring said that industry and primary production must be maintained, and that could not be done if too many men were in camp. The motion was carried, the ayes being Crs. Herring, Blanchileld, Saunders, Kent, and Neville. The Minister of Mines acknowledged the Council's resolution regarding adequate military protection for the port of Greymouth, and stated that he would discuss the matter with the Minister of Defence.

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,

Fees collected at the Greymouth municipal abattoir during April totalled £l5O/11/1. Stock was dealt with as follows: Cows 48 (one condemned), bullocks 157, sheep 472, lambs 73, pigs 92, calves 52. A suggestion that a “drive’’ for the collection of waste paper should be made at Greymouth at an early date, was made by Cr. J. Saunders, at last evening’s meeting of _ the Borough Council. He said that many business firms in the town had already accumulated considerable Quantities. Wool packs were to be sent from Christchurch, in which to pack the waste. The Patriotic Fund would benefit by at least 15/- per ton by the sale of waste paper to the Mataura mills.

The Runanga Patriotic Society has packed and forwarded to Greymouth 43 soldiers’ gift parcels and 92 knitted articles. The Society thanks those who assisted with the knitting, especially the Convent and State School, who have done splendid work, and the following for donations: Mesdames Ferguson £2, I. Tvson £l, D. Powell 10 ’-, D Kendrick" 10 '-. and amounts under 10/- totalling £2/14/-. Goods: R. Matheson, R. Dando, T. Gillaly, D. Glover, J. Liviesey. J. Piner. Convent School 10/-. State School, six weeks, £2/7/5, Mary Baty and Merle McEwan £l/5/9. dances £7/3/6, anonymous 2/6. raffle (Mrs. Bowes) £7 10. -.

As one Dunedin firm alone has for months past been shipping more than 1,000,000 cakes of chocolate overseas, the effect of sugar rationing on the biscuit and confectionery trade, for which the allocation has been reduced to half of last year’s consumption, can be fully appreciated. This export of chocolate, moreover, is exclusive of a special army contract and of the huge quantities consumed in canteens in New Zealand, and in order to maintain the output day and night -shifts have been worked for some time past. “The public is accepting its minor hardships with an excellent grace,” an official of this firm remarked. “It is obvious that the shortage of sugar and raw materials means that production cannot be directed to every market, so someone has to go short.”

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.

Pure wool sockettes in a large selection of shades, including, grey, ah force, brown, clover, green, fawn, etc Stocked in sizes 9in., 9Mn.. & lOin 3/3 to 4/6 pair, C. Smiths. —Advt.