Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 March 1943, Page 4

Local and General

Timber traffic on the Midland line, particularly between Ross and Greymouth, has been exceptionally heavy, consignments being sent both to Greymoutn and the Eas t ■"’oast. Thev are averaging a million super - ficial feet a week. Coal traffic from Westport has been somewhat lighter this week, though on two days 300-ton consignments have been made to Canterbury. Fat stock traffic is being well maintained, 65 trucks oi sheep and lambs and 17 of cattle having been railed from the Coast.

What is described as a miraculous escape from serious injury was experienced by Mr. R Steel, a shunter in the employ of the Railways Department, when engaged m shunting operations on the Greymouth whait about 8 o’clock last evening. He was endeavouring to unhook two wagons when a foot became wedged in the points system. Despite his every effort it was impossible to dislodge the foot,' and the oncoming wagon, a heavy UH, ran over his boot, but in doing so tore away the sole and toe cap, releasing the foot, enabling Mr. Steel to throw himself clear ol the track. He sustained bruises and strained ligaments, necessitating medical attention.

Mrs. Scrimgeour, wife of Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, has resigned from her position with the National Commercial Broadcasting Service. She announced this, last night, after confirming the report that she' had been suspended yesterday morning from the position of conducting the “Happiness Club” session. Mrs. Scrimgeour said there had been furtier developments. In the afternoon, she had been advised she could take the session, but would have to record it. and then, last evening, she was further advised by the Station Director of 2ZB that she could take the session as usual. In the circumstances, however. as the Happiness Club was nonpolitical, and as Mr. Scrimgeour had announced his intention to stand for Parliament, she had written out her resignation.— P.A.

A cablegram received to-day by the General Secretary of the Y.W.C.A. of New Zealand from the Melbourne Red Cross states that they have received word from the Geneva Red Cross: “Indirectly informed Leila Bridgman, formerly Singapore, safe and well.” Miss Leila Bridgman was for ten veers. 1931-41. General Secretary of the Y.W.C.A., Wellington. She left in June, 1941, to take up a post at Singapore, with responsibilities for developing the war-time services of the Y.W.C.A. in Malaya. She remained at Singapore throughout the whole period of the Japanese attack on Malaya. Her work involved the housing and care of women and children evacuated from NorthMalaya and congregated in Singapore. She was evacuated from Singapore two days hefo”e the fall of the city but since February 13, 1942, no news, had been received of her, except the. fact that the ship upon which "’np was evacuated was bombed heavily and failed to report at any port. The only hope friends had for her safety was that possibly she might have been rescued by native craft. The cable message from Geneva will be received by many friends with great thankfulness,—P.A.

Two suspected cases of infantile paralysis admitted to the Christchurch Public Hospital on Tuesday have been found to be positive. Tavo more suspected cases Avere admitted yesterday; one from Christchurch and one from Kaikoura. The children admitted on Tuesday were aged two years and five years. Arrangements have been made for an increased allocation of blankets for civilians, according to an announcement made in the House of Representatives by the Minister of Supply. Replying to an urgent question by Mr W. M. Denham (Govt., Invercargill), the Minister said that a considerable quantity of blankets Avas now in production, and it should be available through the customary trade channels before the coming Winter. —P.A.

An inquiry as to whether the Government intended to prevent inflation in the price of land and Avould prevent the transfer of land until the State had had an opportunity oj exercising its option of nurchase for the rehabilitation of returned servicemen was made by Mr. E. P. Meachen (Labour, Marlborough) in notice of a question to the Minister of Lands when the House of Representatives resumed at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. He added that a tendency towards land aggregation was evident in the Dominion to-day.—P.A.

“The heavy death rate arising out of the war makes it doubly important that race suicide should not be made easy,” said Mr. C. G. Harker (National, WaipaAva), giving notice of a question in the House of Representatives yesterday on the manufacture of contraceptives. The question Avhich the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) will be asked to answer is: “Will the Government prohibit the importation into or manufacture and sale in New Zealand of articles capable of being used as contraceptives and abortifacients, except on a license to be issued on satisfactory evidence that such articles will not be used for these improper purposes?”

Only one town in the Westland district— Hokitika—secured its quota of national savings last week. Against the district’s quota of £1399, only £584/15/6 Avas received, leaving a deficiency of £Bl4/4/6. Individual returns, with deficiencies indicated in parenthesis, were:—Greymouth, £250 13/- (£371/7/-); Runanga, £lO (£116); Reefton, £24/17/- (£79/3/-); Blackball. £l4/6/- (£5O/14/-); Brunnerton, £l9/15/- ( £43/5); Kumara, £3/10/- (£35/10/-); Waiuta, £lO (£34); Ross, £l4/5/- (£26/15/-); Ikamatua, £5/5/- (£l4/15/-); Otira £3 5/- (£l4/15/-); Stillwater, 5/6 (£ll 14/6); Ngahere, nil (£11); Moana, £1 (£); Jackson’s Bay,- £lO/5/- (£4 15/-). Hokitika contributed £217/9/-, its quota being exceeded by £5/9/-.

The repeal of a section of the Public Service Superannuation Act for the duration of the war, to enable them to continue receiving all superannuation allowances, _ was sought by 20 Canterbury residents, who have returned to work as a war effort, in a petition presented to the House of Representatives yesterday by Miss Mabel Howard (Labour, Christchurch East). It stated that the petitioners had retired from the Public Service on superannuation and on request had resumed employment in the Government service as a war effort on the receipt of . a salary (£248 plus £26 cost of living). They were within the provisions ol section 33 (2) of the Public Service Superannuation Act, the effect being to deprive them of part of their superannuation allowances, an anomalous iesult.

A large number of American Marines who have seen service in the South Pacific, will arrive in the Dominion in the near future and tne New Zealand-America Friencuy Relations Committee, Wellington, is arranging for the men, in parties of 25 under an officer, to visit various parts of the Dominion to enable them to enjoy congenial relations after their 'ordeal. Mr F. A. Kitchingham (Mayor of Greymouth) has been advised to this effect, with a request* that endeavours be made to obtain private billets for such a party for- a few days. Advising the Westland Patriotic Council to this effect, last evening, the Mayor commmented tnat it was due to New Zealanders to prepay the splendid hospitality lavished upon our men by the United States and Canada. He is appealing to the citizens of Greymouth thus to demonstrate their goodwill towards the men of the American Forces.

On Friday, March 12, the Soil Erosion and Rivers Control Council will make an exhaustive tour of .the Grey County, traversing 160 miles, beginning at Kumara. The programme was approved at a meeting of the Grey County Council, to-day, when it was emphasised that the object is to secure a broad view of the erosion menace rather than make a detailed inspection. The Engineer (Mr. J. Higgins) has drawn up a lengthy list of areas in which erosion is occurring, but which it will not be possible to visit. Among these is the Teremakau district, concerning the exclusion of which from the tour a letter was received from the Teremakau Branch of the Farmers’ Union, which is to be assured that the district’s claims will be represented to the visitors. On Friday evening, a conference will be held in Greymouth with delegates of interested local bodies.

In the past the National Patriotic Fund Board has-received reports from its Commissioner in the Middle East (Colonel F. Waite). It has now appointed Mr C. Cassells to a similar position in New Caledonia, and a voluminous report from him was tabled at last evening’s meeting of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council. Mr D. J. Evans (Secretary), summarising its contents, commented that conditions in New Caledonia are apparently far from attractive and that the men, being in out-of-the-way places, are required to find their own means of recreation. Accordingly, the Commissioner has lodged requests for a large quantity of mat-1 erial, including films and sports gear. The men are apparently receiving a generous share of free rations. The Board has also appointed representatives in Tonga and Norfolk Island, from whom reports will be received.

A Sports Club bail is always a big attraction, and the Nelson Creek Sports Ball on Saturday evening promises to be an -outstanding event. Be there.—Advt.

Power will be cut off in the Coal Creek, Runanga and Barrytown areas on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for line repairs.—Advt. Everybody please note, that owing to many requests from town and country White’s Big Fashion Sale continues for one week longer. During remainder of sale goods are at half price and less.—Advt. If unexpected guests walked in would your bedrooms stand inspection? Not if your spreads, eiderdowns and sheets are dull, rumpled and sagging. Nothing adds so much to the fresh, crisp appearance of a bedroom as professionally laundered linen. Our special methods and modern equipment keep the colours bright, and clear. We have the equipment for fluffing pile fabrics back to downy! softness. ’Phone 136 and Westland Laundry will be at your service.—

A double-unit rail-car ran on the Westport line, to-day, Avhen the annual High School sports gathering took place at Reefton. Seventy-six pupils and teachers Avere conveyed from the Westport Technical High School, and the Denniston and Granity High Schools.

Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., presided at the quarterly meeting of the Westland Licensing Committee. Also present Avere Messrs A. H. LaAvn,. T. R. Chesterman, and F. McGregor. The following transfers of licenses Avere granted:—Royal Hotel, Okarito. —Archibald- A. R. Barrett to Esther Juliet Barrett. City Hotel, RossHerbert L. Grey to John HeAver.

The Summer flower shoA\ ? conducted at St. John’s Hall, yesterday, proved a financial success, being the most satisfactory for a long period. The points trophy in Section A Avas Avon by Mrs F. Hahn (Ahaura), that in Section B by Mrs G. Rear, and in Section C by Mrs L. Anderson. The artistic display of begonias was the work of Mrs Woodhouse. Miss McDonald, Mrs Duncan and Mrs O’Hara were members of the staff of the work stall.

An unusual mishap occurred at Hokitika on Tuesday afternoon, when as the result of a jigger becoming derailed by gravel at the Hampden Street crossing, a ganger, Mr. Dunlop, was rendered temporarily unconscious and suffered shock and bruises. Immediately after the occurrence the jigger regained the rails, and continued to the platform, where it collided with a rail-car, Avithout damage. Mr., Dunlop quickly regained consciousness.

“A bodyline bioAv to Blackball!” commented Cr. H. G. Carter at this morning’s meeting of the Grey County Council, Avhen a letter Avas received from the Minister of Mines (Mr. Webb) advising that he could not recommend a subsidy toAvards. fire-fighting equipment for the Blackball E.P.S., Avhich had made representations to the Council for assistance. Mr. Webb stated that the plant Avould cost about £750, but there Avas insufficient water available at Blackball to meet its capacity; accordingly, he could not recommend its purchase. The information is to be passed on to the Blackball E.P.S. Committee.

The annual auction of property on ,behalf of the Police Department took place in Greymouth yesterday afternoon, when only a small number of lots were offered. Bidding was not particularly animated and as a result prices were surprisingly loav, especially as regards bicycles, two of Avhich were sold at £l/15/- and £3/5/- respectively. A cycle frame brought 12/- and two wheels with new tyres and tubes £2/5/-. The bargain of the auction Avas a motor tyre easily Avorth £lO or £l2; used to the extent of about only 1000 miles running, it was bought for £2. A good pair of leather gloves went for 9/-, a wheelbarroAV for £2/10/-, and three sets of stocks and dies for 16/-, 11/-, and 5/- respectively.

Infants’ Silk and Wool Vests in Creme, Avith short sleeves. Sizes 1,2 and 3, 3/6 at C. Smith’s. —Advt.