LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1943, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

During the week ended on Saturday 16,092 tons of goods traffic were handled through the Otira Tunnel from the West Coast to Canterbury by the Railways Department. This compared with 15,907 tons in the same week of 1942 and 16,028 tons in the corresponding period of 1941.

Because of opposition in both town and country to the closing of shops at 8 p.m. on Fridays, the decision of the Hokitika Businessmen’s Association was rescinded at a meeting held on Monday night. A motion was carried that, as from Friday, until August 27, shops would close at 8.30 p.m., reverting to the 9 o’clock closing the first Friday in September.

The Canteen Board announced yesterday that members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. at present on furlough have the facility of procuring, for their personal consumption, smokers’ requisites in military establishments throughout New Zealand, and from canteen stores in Auckland. Palmerston North, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch, and Dunedin. —P.A.

Mass will be celebrated on Sunday next, July 18, in Kokiri at 8 a.m. and in Ruru at 10 a.m. —Advt.

As a result of an accident at the Liverpool State mine yesterday a trucker, Henry James*, single-; of Dunollie, was admitted to the Grey Hospital and had part of the ring finger of his right hand amputated. His condition to-day was reported to be satisfactory.

The card party which was to have been held at the Nurses Home tonight (Wednesday) has been postponed until Wednesday, July 28. — Advt.

Widespread rain has been experienced throughout Canterbury since Sunday night, and although there are no reports of serious flood damage, creeks and rivers in the province have risen, and there has been minor flooding of farm lands. After the recent falls of snow and rain, heavy land is carrying a lot of surface water and is so thoroughly saturated that the soil is unable to absorb more water.. Rain fell all day yesterday in Christchurch.

The Dobson Miners’ Union has elected the following officers:—President, Mr. AV. Purdy (unopposed); Secretary, Mr. J. White (unopposed); Workmen’s Inspectors, Messrs W. Purdy, 106 (elected), W. Whitfield, 62 (elected), A. Coutts 52, S. Gugum 44 and informal 8. The Committee are: Messrs C. McSporren, R. Hall, W. Whitfield, J. King, J. Gibb, J. Clarke (unopposed). Truckers’ Delegates, S. Mulqqeen, 86 (elected), R. Holmes 75 (elected), T. Hoggarth 73; informal 38. Trustees, W. Richards and p. Morgan; Check Weighman, W. Richards (unopposed).

Something New: Ikamatua Hall, Saturday, July 17, Dance and Chops. Seo the local champions in action. The massive McGreenstein v. George Tibbles. The Down Our Way’s W. Blackie v. D. Mcßae, S:d Bowen v. A. Wilson, G. Hampton v. H. Buchanan, E. Palmer v. A. Christie. —Advt.

Large quantities of newsprint are utilised by the West Coast coal mines for shot firing purposes, making a heavy demand on the amounts deposited at the Town Hall depot in Grey mouth. Such paper is not sent to the Mataura Mills for pulping but is sold to the mines. To improve the supply it is intended to make a house-to-house canvass in Greymouth within the next week or two, when brown paper, cardboard, books, and other reading matter, besides any other scrap paper, will be acceptable Three bales were packed at the depot this morning, and next week should see the completion of another consignment for Mataura.

What an executive of a Greymouth wholesale house to-day described as a “fictitious shortage” of tobacco in Greymouth due to panic buying has been relieved by the arrival of a small shipment for general distribution. To further meet the situation the major companies in the Dominion have agreed to supply legitimate tobacco sellers with a 30 per cent, increase on the quantities normally purchased over a period, these sellers being described as businesses 90 per cent of whose livelihood is derived from the sale of tobacco and cigarettes. Panic buying is stated to be still operating on the Coast, creating a difficulty which would not normally exist.

For four hours on Thursday evening last, the Hamilton Borough Council discussed dissension which had arisen betwen the borough engineer and the town clerk, states a Hamilton correspondent. A resolution that the engineer, Mr. J. R. Baird, be asxed to resign, was declared lost, by the Mayor, Mr. H. D. Caro, who gave his casting vote against the motion, although he had previously spoken in favour of it. The town clerk, Mr. W. L. Waddel, then handed in his resignation. On it being pointed out to the Mayor that he had failed to exercise his deliberate vote, the motion was put again and declared carried by seven votes to six. Consideration of the town clerk’s letter of resignation was deferred until the next meeting.

An amusing example of the difficulties which have arisen in procuring transport facilities owing to “the. exigencies of the times,” was given at the quarterly meeting of St. Paul s Methodist Church, Greymouth, last evening. For a period the transport of local preachers to country services presented a problem owing to shortage of petrol. At last evening’s meeting Rev. E. S. Hoddinott reported that the authorities had granted four gallons of petrol a month for this purpose, but that owing to the wear on tyres and inability of people generally to secure replacements, practically no cars were available. When it was remarked that bicycles might be used, a member interjected that in that case he would require a new tyre. As a last resort someone suggested reverting to a horse and trap. “But we can’t get horseshoes!” retorted another. Finally the meeting shifted the responsibility for solving the problem “somehow” by recommending the minister to bear the situation in mind and “plan the preachers accordingly.”

Don’t forget that Style and Quality cost less at White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre. —Advt.

It’s a wise investor who relies on the soft, caressing warmth of woolly panties. Elastic at waist and banded, in peach and ivory. W. size 4/11. — C. Smith’s—Advt.

P There’s no need to suffer the tortures of a Gestapo victim through having to stand over the washtub. What with being unable to get help in the home mother’s domestic worries have certainly grown. Guarding your health these days is an obligation not only to yourself and your family but to the country’s war effort. Doctors and nurses are needed in the Armed Forces, Hospitals are crowded, throwing a big strain on the present staffs. Take advantage of our modern Laundry Service, make a convenience of us, that’s what we are 1 ' here for, to relieve you of that Wash-day worry and help you to retain youi’ good health.—Westland Laundry Ltd. ’Phone 13G, Depot 27, Albert Street.—Advt.

The Patriotic shop conducted by residents of the south end of the town on July 2, metted £23 for Miss Britannia’s fund.

All routes to the West Coast were open to-day. The Public Works Department advised that no word had been received of slips or washouts on the Lewis and Arthur’s Pass highways.

While he was cycling to his work at the Rapahoe mine at about 6.30 this morning, Joseph Wafer, of Runanga, collided with some wandering cattle on the main road and was thrown from his cycle. Turning a somersault, he suffered bruising of the head and required first-aid attention.

Since the end of the vehicle licensing year on June 30 a further 210 licenses have been issued in Greymouth, bringing the total to date to 1212, comprising 761 cars and 451 other vehicles. This is 370 short of the total in force at the end of the 1942-43 period, of which 1019 were cars and 563 other vehicles.

“I have been amazed to find that the Home Guard is being fed on canned meat from the Argentine, said Mr. A. P. O’Shea, Dominion secretary of* the New Zealand Farmeis Union. “I have been shown a 61b. can of Argentine meat, and was assured that similar cans had been distributed to the Home Guard. This surely calls for an explanation from the Government.”

While she was under an anaesthetic prior to undergoing an operation in the Grey River Hospital, yesterday, the death took place of Mrs. Ann Mary Muir, aged 79. An inquest was opened before the Coroner, Mr. G. G. Chisholm, and after evidence of identification had been given by Percy Bradford, of Blaketown, grandson, it was adjourned sine die.

The following Greymouth candidates were successful in the State examination held in June lor maternity nurses (the names are not shown in order of merit). Those obtaining honours received 75 per cent, or over of the possible marks.—Askin E, Bell, D (hons.), Croxford T. E. (hons.), Davidson M. M., Hornet, E M, Maslin, M.F., Shirreffs, H. M., Hansen, B. M., Graham, M. M.. Robertson. C. S. —P-A.

Special train arrangements for. the West Coast have been authorised for the Grand National meeting at Riccarton on August 7 and 14 and the Metropolitan Trots at Addington on August 21 and 28. In addition o the usual rail-car on the preceding evenings of those days, a specia train will leave Greymouth at 11.45 p.m., arriving at Christchurch at 5.55 aim. on the Saturday. The return train will leave Christchurch at 7.10 p m. the same day, arriving m Greymouth at 1.46 a.m. on the Sunday.

Described as an historic document renresenting the considered views oi the Geigy and laymen of the various denominations in the Dominion a broadsheet will be issued towaids the end of August under of the Campaign lor Christian Oidei for distribution to every homo and camp in the country and to every soldier overseas. The manifesto will treat on the Church’s position with regard to the community and political life of the Dominion, international life, and Christianity m its relationship with the. hom( ;, m °r a J issues, education, mdustiy and economics. Rev. E. S. Hoddmott who has attended several conferences in Wellington, on the project, repented to the quarterly meeting oi St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Greymouth, last evening, that regional committees would be set up to discuss the Christian attitude to topics as land and money, and that later a national conference on the lines or those held in other parts of the world would take place. I think that without a doubt the campaign will continue,” said Mr Hoddmott.

Never mind the weather. Let fleecy-backed celanese keep you warm. In Vests and Panties, we have them waiting for you in peach and ivory at 6/3 each. W. size.—C. Smith’s. —Ad v t.