LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 April 1943, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

To cope with urgent coal traffic, five special trains were run between Rewanui and Greymouth, yesterday, from 7.30 a.m. till 4 p.m. Some 800 tons of coal Were handled. However, no work was done on the wharf. A novel way of making its contribution to the Patriotic Fund was achieved on Saturday afternoon, when a mixed tournament was held with equal numbers of men and women players—s 6 in all, including members of the Karoro and Runanga Ladies’ Clubs. About £8 was raised for patriotic purposes. A total of 19,031 tons of goods traffic were railed through the Otira Tunnel from the West Coast to Canterbury during the week ended on Saturday. This compares with 12,511 tons in the corresponding week of last year and 15,993 tons in the similar period of 1941.

Burrowing through the concrete floor of the aviary of Mr. George Metcalf, Great South Road. Auckland, rats caused havoc to birds, killing fifty-two. The birds consisted of British and foreign finches, and among those killed were the champions of the Grand National Show in Christchurch last year.

An inquest into the death of Mrs. Eileen Catherine Barson, 27, of Greymouth, whose body was found under the Greymouth-Hokitika train near the Karoro Station on Saturday morning, was opened before Mr. G-. G. Chisholm, S.M. Evidence of identification was given by Allan Herbert Murphy and the proceedings were adjourned sine die.

Heavy rail-car traffic was experienced on the Westport line, yesterday, when the party of 60 persons tray-; elled from Hokitika on a goodwill visit. They included the Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock) and the Chairman of the Westland County Council (Mr I. P. O’Neil). Fifty-five passengers also left Greymouth, including a party of 24 bowlers who travelled to Reefton.

Satisfaction with the development of the New Zealand munitions programme was expressed by two English authorities who have been on a tour of inspection in the Dominion, Mr L. Cairns, Chairman of the Eastern Group Requirements Commisr sion, London, and Mr H. J. Hewlett, officer in charge of machine tools allocation of the Eastern Group Requirements Commission, London, — P.A.

“I hope the election will not be a bitter strife among people Avho should be united,” said Mrs- A.- N. Grigg, M.P., speaking at Ashburton on Saturday evening. She said she had not been altogether in favour of an election, but more recently she had thought that the people should have a say in Avhat they thought of the government of the country—whether they approved or* disapproved.

After a day’s lay-off of members of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union for stoppages on account of rain Avhile working on American ships, Avork was reported on Saturday morning to be proceeding normally on all ships in port. With a view to settling differences which had arisen betxveen the union and the American Transport Service, a conference Avas opened on Saturday afternoon, and it was continued to-day.—P.A.

Although the poor Summer experienced on the West Coast has generally resulted in lambs and calves failing to achieve the normal degree of development, it is reported that the stock business has been Ayell maintained. Thanks to the plentiful supply of feed in Canterbury there has been a steady, indeed at times a brisk, demand for store and cull sorts, with the result that large consignments in this category have gone forward from the Coast.

At the monthly meeting of the Kotuku W.1., Mrs. Brereton presided. Mrs. Priest and Mrs. Brereton tied for first place, with Miss R. Molloy second, in the competition, “Something made out of scraps of material.” Mrs. Brereton won a competition for a vase of foliage, Avith Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Nestor second. The social halfhour was conducted by Mrs. Priest ®nd Mrs. Dalziel and supper was served by the hostesses, Mrs. Bell and ■Mrs. Guenole.

Ministerial approval of the appointment of Dr. D. Arnott, of the staff of the Grey Hospital, as Medical Superintendent of the Westland Hospital, Hokitika, in succession to Dr. R. F. Aitken is reported to have been received. However, it is understood that the sanction of the manpower authorities for the transfer has yet to be obtained. Dr. Aitken is expected to leave Hokitika about the end of April to reside in Wellington.

For two hours yesterday afternoon the staff of the Grey Electric Power Board were engaged in urgent maintenance work in the vicinity of Easson’s Hill, Alexander Street. Part of a general scheme to improve switching facilities, it involved the installation of new gear, including one pole. Work has commenced on the erection of the new sub-station on the Town Belt, and it is hoped to have the job completed in time to handle the increased load with the arrival of Winter.

The party of 20 United States Marines, Avho arrived in Greymouth by the express on Saturday afternoon were accorded a Avelcomc by the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham), Avho Avas accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr. F. H. Denton) and representatives of various organisations. The men, Avho will remain in Greymouth for seven days, are not being confronted by a set programme but, in deference to their own wishes, are being enabled to spend the leave period as they individually desire. A number are billeted in homes which provided hospitality for the first party of Marines.

Opening a linseed oil factory at Dunedin on Saturday, the Minister of Supply (Mr Sullivan) said that in 1940 New Zealand imported 962,000 gallons of oil valued at £259,000. This year NeA\ r Zealand had 4000 tons of seed from the flax crop and the estimated oil yield Avas 350,000 gallons or one-third of the Dominion’s requirements. An important by-product would be cattlecake, a valuable concentrate for increasing the production of all stock. RevieAving industrial progress over the last seven years, Mr Sullivan said the Dominion had established an average of three nerv factories a Aveek.—P.A.

The annual meeting of members of St. Paul’s Methodist Church took place after the evening service yesterday. Rev. E. S. Hoddinott presided over a fair attendance. 'The following were elected to office, with seats on the Quarterly Meeting: Sacramental Stewards: Miss A. White and Miss D. Roberts. Members’ representatives: Mrs C. Garner, Mrs D. Roberts, Mr L. N. Lower. Society Stewards: Messrs D. Roberts, F. Lindbom, S. H. Sofield, W. A. Judkins, F. Jacobs. W. D. Panckhurst, C. Garner, and F. Smith. Votes of thanks were accorded outgoing officebearers and those who had been responsible lor the regular decoration of the church. Hats that will be a smart contribution to your Autumn wear. Call and see our new collection; you will like it. —White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre.—Advt.