Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 May 1943, Page 4

Local and General

Arrangements for the presentation of the Budget have undergone a change. It had been intended to bring the Budget down in the House of Representatives on Thursday night, but the Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash) said yesterday that its presentation would be deferred for a week, and it would appear on the night of Thursday, May 27.

Two cases of infantile paralysis . were among the infectious diseases notified in the Canterbury district during the week ended at noon yesterday. One case was of a woman, aged 26, from Ashburton, and the other a 17-months’-old child from Timaru. Other infectious diseases notified in Canterbury during the week were: Scarlet fever, 1; tuberculosis, 7; septic abortion, 3; hydatids, 1; cerebro-spinal meningitis, 1; puerperal hyrexia, 1. There were two deaths from tuberculosis during the week. No infectious diseases were notified from the West Coast.

During the week ended on Saturday 15,322 tons of goods traffic were railed through the Otira Tunnel from the West Coast to Canterbury. This compares with 13,800 tons in the corresponding period of 1942 and 15,761 tons in the same week of 1941.

Indications of the labour position as it affects Grey district mines were given by various managers in the course of evidence to the Armed Forces Appeal Board at Greymouth, this morning. It whs stated that at the Liverpool mine 20 more men a day could be employed, while there was an acute shortage of timbermen. At Blackball there were sufficient men, and at the Strongman mine, though there was a plentitude of inexperienced men, skilled labour was in short supply.

The opinion-, that the number of subjects for the new university entrance examination was too limited was expressed by the New Zealand Technical School Teachers’ Association at its annual conference in Wellington. The conference resolved that “there should be a much wider choice, as there are many subjects which technical college students study as a preliminary for university degrees, for example, agriculture, bookkeeping, economics, home science, drawing, music, and mechanics.”

Owners of arms who lent, or gave, or sold their .22 rifles and shotguns to the Army are receiving from the authorities intimations that they may now have these weapons returned to them, improved stocks having made their retention unnecessary. In the case of .22 rifles which were sold to the Army, owners may have these back at the original sale price less 10 per cent, for depreciation. It is understood that on the West Coast a number of weapons have already been returned to their formei' owners.

Audrey Ward, of Runanga, won two cups in the dancing section of the Nelson Competitions’ Society’s festival, which has concluded. These were the Etta Banks Cup for the winner of the open national section and the Scottish Society Cup for the Highland dancing championship. Billy Boyle, of Kaiata, was placed third, two points behind the winner (Betty Glen, formerly of the West Coast) in the Sean Triubhais, 13 and under 16 years at the Christchurch Competitions yesterday.

At a meeting of the Westland Timber Workers’ Union it was reported that one matter discussed at the annual conference in Wellington of importance to the West Coast was the importation from America of 2,000,000 butter boxes in shocks, amounting to 8,000,000 feet of timber. It was stated at the conference that before .such material was brought into the Dominion the supply of New Zealand timbers should have been properly organised, the opinion being expressed that such a state of affairs should not have been allowed to arise, as the importation could not be landed in New Zealand at under 35/- per 100 feet, board measurement.

The Minister of Education (Mr. Mason) said yesterday that by arrangement with the National Service Department the Education Department had taken over complete control of the youth centres. The Minister said that in addition to thennormal functions, these centres had taken over for the National Service Department the administration of the Industrial Manpower Emergency regulations fpr young people. They had also been asked by the Rehabilitation Board to undertake responsibilities in the rehabilitation of returned servicemen desirous of further training for civilian occupations. These additional duties would necessitate an expansion of youth centres during the coming year.—P.A.

The present mutton bird season is the worst that has ever been known in Southland. That is the opinion of Mr. EL J. Roderique, of the ketch Kekeno, which returned to Bluff last night from a trip to the South Cape Islands. Mr. Roderique has had 56 years’ experience of mutton birding, and his opinion is supported by the older natives on the islands. Mr. Roderique said yesterday that up to the middle of the season the older birds seemed to be as numerous as ever round South Cape, and there were the usual number of young ones. After that, however, large numbers of mother birds did not return to the islands. . Consequently thousands of young birds were lying dead, and others had just enough strength to reach the water, but were too weak to fly.—P.A.

The monthly meeting of Dobson W.I. was held in the School Hall, Mrs Geo. Smith presiding. The aspirations were read by the President. Motto for the month, “A stitch in time saves nine.” A birthday invitation was received from Blakotown W.I. Mrs. Ramsay read the Federation report. Presentations were made to Miss Kirk on the occasion of her wedding. Mesdames McPhie (senr.) and Forsyth who are leaving the district and a baby’s bank to Mrs. A. McPhie. The demonstration “Smocking,” was given by Mrs Geo. Smith and the competition ‘ Something new from something old, was won by Mrs. Batey. A novelty competition “Dental Plates’" was won by Mrs. Batey. The roll-call “Uses ol: sour milk,” was well respondca to. The hostesses were Mesdames Gibson, McMinn, Ramsay and Miss Kirk.

Dr. D. Miller, Assistant Director and Chief Entomologist of Cawthron Institute, Nelson, has forwarded to Mr E. Airey, President ol the West Coast Branch ol the Beekeepers’ Association, his lincting on the laboratory test of rata samples which he secured some time ago in the Blackball area to ascertain the reason for the extensive dying out oi this tree. Dr. Miller says two fungi are revealed. One, on the twigs, is not responsible for any injury to the trees, but another species is attacking the wood in the trunks. In one sample the fungus attacking the timber could quite well have been responsible for the death of the tree, but. a more detailed study of the situation would be required. The scale insect on the foliage was not responsible for the injury. Recently, Mr F. J. Perham, Conservator of Forests, Hokitika, has, on instructions, collected specimens in the Blackball area for laboratory examination. In view of the nectarproducing capacity of the rata, beekeepers are keen to discover the source of the infection.

Progress in the direction of an amicable arrangement covering two problems in its area is being made by the Grey County Council. Following a conference between a special committee appointed at the last meeting and representatives of Associated Gold Dredges, Ltd., a satisfactory agreement has been reached on the method of dealing with the water from the tailings of the Red Jacks dredge. Following a discussion of the proposed protection works at Coal Creek with Mr. O’Brien, M.P., it is estimated that the cost to the settlers would be £l366—one-sixth of the total. To raise a loan of £1366 on the same terms as the previous loan would mean an additional rate of lid in £ on the capital value of the settlers’ property. On the previous loan they were paying Id in £ and the settlers feel that 2£d in the£ is too heavy a load. As a consequence they are applying to the Council for a subsidy and if their application is successful they then propose to approach the Government for additional help.