Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1942, Page 4

Local and General

National savings quota successes are on the increase, 83 towns having flown their flags last week. This is an increase of 14 on tne preceding week. Of the successful towns, six were provincial centres, namely: Invercargill, Nelson, New Plymouth, Oamaru, Wanganui, and Wellington. "

The Mayoress (Mrs. F. A. Kitchingham) reports that there are numerous cases of distress in Greymouth and district, and that she would be glad of donations of women s ana children’s clothing, particularly of garments that can be remodelled into children s clothes. Blankets and other bedding are also sorely needed by some families. Any donations can be left at the Borough Council Traffic Office, Tarapuhi Street.

Following its wettest May on record, Wellington has just established its driest June. ,53in.’ against an average of 4.19. Less than five points fell from June sto 28. The mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures were both above the average, and the mean temperature was 48.7 degrees, against an average of 48. It was the least windy June since 1934. A new record was set in the mat - ter of barometric pressure, the mean being the highest recorded in 80 years.—P.A., When the period for the relicensing of motor-vehicles ended last evening, only twothirds of the number of licenses issued in the previous year had been sought at the Greymouth Post Office. A total of 506 cars were registered as compared with 805 the previous year and 350 other vehicles (including trucks, trailers, Government vehicles, and buses) as against some 400 in 1941. Army vehicles are not registered at Greymouth, those used in this area being covered by Canterbury licenses. The usual last-minute rush was experienced, and to-day there was a steady stream of applications for licenses.

As the result of a cloudburst early yesterday morning in the vicinity of Greenstone, traffic on the Kumara-Mitchells Road is held up, rendering idle three sawmills employing about 60 men. The principal damage consists of a gap in the road 40ft wide and 12ft deep, but there are several smaller washouts, apparently caused by a tremendous volume of water rushing along an Abandoned tailrace. A peculiarity of the occurrence is that no- dam - age was done in adjacent areas, suggesting that the cloudburst at Greenstone was particularly concentrated. To expedite repair work, some 20 sawmill hands are being employed by the'Grey County Council, which at today’s meeting, on the recommendation of the Engineer (Mr. J. Higgins), decided that instead of the normal Council rate of 21/3 a day their wages be made up to 25/-, which is the usual rate for sawmill hands. Stating that the men were doing an excellent job, Mr. Higgins expressed the opinion that the road should be open for traffic again, after tomorrow.

Good work by the Fire Brigade prevented more serious consequences when a fire destroyed a shed on the property of Mr Benjamin Tindale, in Russell Terrace, about 3 o’clock this morning. Fortunately, there was no wind at the time, and the brigade were promptly on the scene, soon having the flames under control.

Mr S. B. Quintrell presided over a meeting of the Greymouth Red Cross Committee, when there was a fair attendance. The chairman referred to the death of Mr A. H. McKane, and paid a tribute to his close association with the society. He extended sympathy to the widow and family. A silent tribute to Mr McKane’s memory was paid. It was decided to hold a shop day in order to replenish local funds.

Under an order issued by the Price Tribunal on July 25, 1941, a seasonal rise in the price of meat operates from to-day. Mutton, beef, veal, and pork bear increases of a halfpenny per pound, and as from August 20 a further increase of a penny will be made. Small goods and other commodities vended by butchers do not come within the scope of the price order increase.

The maximum price at which chewing gum may legally be sold retail is Id a packet. .Many retailers in Wellington during the last few days have been charging lid a racket, or 21 d for two. Others have oeen charging 3d for two. In doing so they have been committing an offence. An official of the Price Tribunal stated that Price Order No. 32, issued on May 19, 1941, fixed the price at Id a packet of not fewer than four tablets. That order still remained in force. —P.A.

From now on the Government will be the sole importer of iron and steel other than tool steels, said the Minister of Supply (Mr Sullivan) in a statement last evening. He added that as from July 1 all private orders for Australian steel would be held in suspense until further notice, but all essential requirements would be covered by Government order. Inquiries for steel should be directed through normal trade channels, said the Minister.

If you want value for your money come to Nelson Creek dance and Challenge Chop on Saturday night.— Advt.

An intimation that he would not tolerate exploitation of servicemen, and that taxi-drivers who attempted to do so would “get what was coming to them,” was given by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple), answering an urgent question in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Minister said that if he were supplied with particulars of definite’ cases of taxi-drivers demanding and receiving more than the fixed rates, he would be glad to have them investigated, and immediate steps would be taken to stop such abuses. The Transport Department had been instructed to keep a strict watch for instances of overcharging.—P.A.

There’s no more invigorating sport for the Winter than dancing—especially when it is at the ever-popular dance at the Blaketown Hall each Wednesday.—Advt.

A plea for an increased clothing allowance for members of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary on active service in the Middle East was made by Mr F. W. Doidge (National. Tauranga) in notice of a question to the Minister of Defence (Mr-Jones) in the House of Representatives yesterday. He asked if the Minister was aware that these girls were suffering great hardship and disability as a result of the paucity and unsuitability of the equipment issued to them, and he added that £lO a year for the clothing maintenance allowance was inadequate. He asked the Minister if he would see that the position was improved.—P.A.

Here’s news; and what you’ve been waiting for a long time. Trumans have just opened up a full new stock of Girls’ Convent Blouses, in uniform blue, fully guaranteed and fast colour. Size lOiin. to 15in. Price 7/6 to 13/6.—Advt.

The urgent necessity of grappling with the problem of soil conservation and river erosion was stressed at to-day’s meeting of the Grey County Council by the Chairman (Cr. J. Mulcare), when an instance of the latter was under consideration. “It would be better if the whole thing were tackled earlier and the land were saved as well as the roads,” he said. “The Farmers’ Union is bringing the whole matter before its Dominion headquarters, and I hope the newly--appointed Soil Conservation and River Protection Board will do something soon.” Mr. Mulcare cited the example of the Blackball bridge, where, if action had been taken 25 years ago, a farm could have been saved as well as avoiding a threat to the actual structure.

Nancarrow and Co., chief agents for Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd., advise that arrangements have been finalised whereby it is - now possible for passengers to leave Greymouth at 9 a.m. daily, except Sundays, connecting with the Nelson-Wellington ’plane and Wellington-Auckland service. Thus passengers may now leave Greymouth at 9 a.m., arrive at Nelson at 11.15, Wellington 12.30 p.m., and Auckland 3.45 p.m. Advantage should also be taken of the Southbound service which enables passengers to leave Auckland at 8 a.m. and arrive at Franz Josef Glaciers at 4 p.m., setting down passengers at Wellington, Nelson, Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika en route.—Advt.

Residents of Runanga will be pleased to know that the Westland Laundry, Ltd., wilr pick up laundry on Wednesdays ana return Fridays. D. Manderson, Runanga, will supply all information and price Lists.—Advt. ,