Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 March 1943, Page 4

Local and General

No additional cases of infantile paralysis were reported in Christchurch yesteiday. Neither of the cases suspected on Wednesday has been confirmed. A child of eight months who was under observation was proved negative.

The propeller of the aeroplane, owned by Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd., which fell from the aeroplane before a forced landing was made in the sea near Westport last December, has been found on a beach on,*-, the West Coast or the North Island. The adjourned inquiry fnto the cause of the accident, in which three passengers lost their lives, will be resumed in Wellington on Monday.

Road fatalities in New Zealand during February were the lowest for that month for the past six years, according to figures released by the Transport Department. The number of deaths was ten, compared with 12 in February last year, and 29 in February 1939. Six were passengers in motor vehicles, three were drivers and one a pedestrian.— P.A.

“Is the Acting-Minister of Defence aware that, in some cases, members of- the Armed Forces are being asked to work a ten-hour day in the harvest field, even on threshing mills, on army pay; and that if they refuse they are ‘put on the mat’ and given ‘C.B.’?” asked Mr. Clyde Carr (Govt., Timaru) in an urgent question to the Acting-Minister of Defence in the House yesterday. Mr. Fraser said that he had no personal knowledge that conditions as outlined by Mr. Carr existed, but he would obtain an immediate report on the matter, and make a statement as soon as the facts were available. From information he had received, he said, he thought that the men, generally, were very happy to be in the harvest fields, which provided a change from the monotony of the camps.—P.A.

Mr. Nordmeyer announced, to-day, at a meeting of the Dominion Advisory Board of the New Zealand Federation of Health Camps, that the 1943 health stamps will be triangular,—the first of that shape to be issued by the New Zealand Post Office. In this inspect alone, they will be novel, for even in the general world of postage stamps, the triangular shape, is uncommon. The Minister added that the central feature of the twopenny, plus penny, dienomination, would be a photpgraph of Princess Elizabeth, and of the penny plus halfpenny denomination, a photograph of Princess Margaret Rose. This was being done with the Royal Assent,. The former stamp will be brown in colour and the latter green. The Minister said that these attractive designs would considerably aid the cause.—P.A.

.Rain fell at Wataroa on 24 days during February, with a total of 29.67 inches, compared with 14 days for 16.2 inches in February, 1942. The total rainfall to date this year is 41.67 inches, compared with 38.41 inches for the corresponding period last year.

The Social Security Contribution (Companies) Regulations, published with last night’s Gazette, alter the basis of collection of Social Security taxation from companies from quarterly to annually. This will reduce clerical work for both the companies and the collecting department.—P.A. A meeting of the Motor Trades Utilisation Committee was held in Greymouth last evening, when four cases were considered—three affecting Greymouth tradesmen and one from Westport. Recommendations to the Armed Forces Appeal Board were formulated.

It is expected that the new room at the Grey Main School, erected for the use of a special class, will be occupied at the beginning of the second term. The building, which is constructed on the latest principles, and will accommodate 18 pupils, was ready for use at the beginning of the third term last year, but difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a teacher with the necessary qualifications for the special class.

Inquiries have been made to the Greymouth Rationing Officer regarding the availability of clothing coupons, and it is pointed out that under current conditions the “M” and “O” coupons will remain valid until May 31. Clothing coupons in the new (blue) book will not become available until after May. However, special cards, as for children’s clothing, are valid at any time, as there is no set period of availability.

In view of the fact that Anzac Day will this year fall on Easter Sunday some confusion has arisen as to whether a separate holiday will be observed by shops on this account. Mr. T. Bond, Secretary of the Greymouth Shop Assistants’ Union, stated to-day that such will not be the case —Easter Monday will be a close holiday, as in the ordinary course, but an extra day in lieu of Anzac Day will not be observed. The shops will reopen on the Tuesday.

Although the quota allocated to the Greymouth Pedal Cycle Tyre Control Committee has been increased to give added supplies for workers in essential industries, the number of tyres is stated to be still far below those, for which a demand exists. Applications are “pouring in,” and it is not possible to satisfy the demand. It is believed that the Greymouth district, in proportion to area and population, contains more essential workers who utilise bicycles than any other district in the Dominion.

Railway traffic to and from Greymouth was augmented to-day by 760 school children who journeyed to Greymouth to attend the Public Schools’ sports. Coming from Runanga, Hokitika, Rotomanu, Blackball, Ahaura, Ross, and Kumara, they necessitated the provision of additional accommodation. The road services were also well patronised. The rail-car to Christchurch, this evening, a double-unit, is comoletely booked, but traffic to-morrow evening will be lighter, only a single-unit car being scheduled.

Another New Zealand industry was inaugurated yesterday with the opening -by Mrs. P. Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister, of a factory at Island Bay, Wellington, for the extraction of fish liver oils. It will be operated by the Karitane Products Society and is expected to supply, not only the 12,000 gallons of liver oil used annually by the society, but also additional oil for other Dominion industries. The chairman of directors of the society (Mr. Justice Blair) said it was hoped that New Zealand would ultimately become self-supporting in cod liver oils. —P.A.

Children are credited with phenomenal appetites, and when these are whetted by competitive sport, and the youngsters themselves are multiplied by hundreds, the quantities of edibles consumed reach prodigious proportions. A striking example was afforded at the Primary Schools’ Sports meeting at Greymouth, today, when more than 2400 children assembled at Victoria Park. To meet their demands 70 dozen pies, 32 dozen cakes, 12 large loaves, comprising some hundreds of sandwiches, 40 gallons of ice-cream, and 100 dozen soft drinks were provided—and the demand was continuous while supplies lasted. The catering arrangements were handled by the Grey Main Home and Schools’ Association.

Axemen, cyclists and runners are reminded that nominations for St. Patrick’s Sports close to-morrow, and may be posted to the secretaries or left with Mr J. Deere, Mawhera Quay.—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. Infants’ Silk and Wool Vests in Creme, with short sleeves. Sizes 1,2 and 3, 3/6 at C. Smith’s.—Advt.

Infants’ Locknit Frocks in Creme and Peach. Dainty styles with collar and smocked yoke. Also tiny puffed sleeves. Sizes 16” and 18” 14/6 at C. Smith’s.—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.— Advt.