Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1943, Page 4

Local and General

The Mayor of Hokitika (Mr. Elcock) has been advised by Mr. James O’Brien that Mr. Mark Wallace has declined to . accept appointment to the local rehabilitation committee because it would be difficult for him to attend the meetings. It will therefore be necessary for the Farmers’ Union to recommend someone else for appointment.

Thousands of lambs are dying throughout Canterbury in one of the worst seasons experienced by sheep farmers for years. The Stock Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture (Mr. E. Elphick) said to-day that the long spell of wet weather experienced throughout the South Island would have a serious effect not only on meat production, but also on the quality of wool. September' was the main lambing period, but lambs being born during the present cold and wet. nights had little chance of survival. One farmer reported that although he had 200 more ewes than last reason his lamb production would be less. Apart from the death roll, said Mr. Elphick, the feed position was also serious, as its mushy nature was certain to affect the general health of sheep and bring a crop of disease problems. Already many flocks were in poor condition. Cattle were also suffering as the result of the fodder position. If the position did not improve there was sure to be a milk shortage.—P.A.

Captain A. R. Curtis, who is the Army Electoral Officer for the district, will visit Hokitika betweep 9 p.m. and midnight to-morrow to enable Army personnel to vote. The booth will be located at the Home Guard Headquarters. The Timber Industry Advisory Committee held a further meeting in Grey mouth, yesterday afternoon, when it gave fresh consideration to an appeal by a man to leave the industry. The application was declined and it was decided that he return to the mill at which he was formerly employed. The Armed Forces Appeal Board will sit in Greymouth at 2 p.m. on Monday (postponed from 10.30 a.m. on Friday) and at 10.30 on October 5. It will sit at Hokitika on Tuesday at 2 p.m., Reefton at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, and at Westport at 9.30 a.m. on' the Thursday. At question time at a meeting addressed by Mr. H. T. Morton (National, Waitemata) the inquiries became frivolous.' The audience enjoyed themselves, and Mr. Morton gave as -good as he got. To a man who asked, “How many ribs has a donkey?” the candidate swiftly retorted, •‘lf you don't mind lifting your shirt we’ll count them.” After a long tc,w from Tokomaru Bay, the damaged trawler Waiwera, which grounded on rocks at Tokomaru Bay on September 5, arrived at Auckland yesterday morning. The shipwrights who undertook the salvage found the trawler badly holed, part of the keel gone, and the rudder lost. The vessel was refloated after the beach had been cleared by a bulldozer. The tow was carried out bv the new trawler Waimana. —P.A.

“What a hide these people Fraser, and company have —the hide of a rhinoceros is tissue paper alongside theirs —to go round the country flag waving after what they did in 1916. I fought in the last war, but I never agreed to conscription, yet these men are conscripting even the children. I would never ask any man to do what I would not do.”—Mr P. Connors', Democratic Labour, at Petone.

Following the unavoidable delay, yesterday, all vessels in port were working to-day. As a result of the congestion, however, the Karu is •loading coal instead of timber for Wellington. The bar was -workable this morning, and the Titoki entered at 7 o’clock after lying in the roadstead since yesterday. There was a run of six knots in the Grey River during the night, but by 9 a.m. it had been reduced to four knots.

“A few years ago Mr. Nash said a man could live quite well on £5OO a year. I believe ,him; I’ve done it-all my life. I have not lived in luxury, but neither I nor my family has ever been short of the necessaries of life,” said Mr. W. H. Overton, National candidate i‘cr Kaiapoi, in an address at Northcote last evening. “To-day Mr. Nash, with his three jobs, earns £7600 a year. That is the equivalent of a man in New Zealand—if there are any such —with a gross income of £45,700 a year.”

Vivid lightning, with heavy thunder, characterised a severe electrical storm which swept over Auckland city and suburbs before daybreak today, accompanied by heavy rain. In part of Epsom, the storm assumed cyclonic proportions. A tremendous gale travelling from Mt. Eden towards Manukau Road left a trail of damage, broken branches and tiles torn from portions of roofs of several houses. Slates were carried away from part of the roof of Epsom Lib-rary.-P.A.

When a fault developed in the Canterbury district early last evening, the three telephone circuits and one telegraph circuit between Greymouth and Christchurch were interrupted. and were still out of operation this morning. However, traffic was not seriously impeded, as a circuit was established via Blenheim and Wellington, and use was also made of the Railways Department’s Morse line. Greymouth had to handle traffic for- Westport, Hokitika. Ross, and Reefton, till the normal working was restored.

Although it had been hoped that the Arthur’s Pass route would have been restored by this morning, this was found impracticable. The Public Works Department stated to-day that it is now expected the road will, be negotiable by to-morrow morning. Meanwhile there is no change in the state of the highway, except that the melting snow will make the use of chains advisable when it is open. The secondary route between Murchison and Maruia is still closed as a result of the wash-out at the Station Creek bridge.

To fill the vacancies on the staffs of the Hokitika Mental Hospital and the Greymouth Public Hospital, also for workers in war industries in the North Island, the District Manpower Officer at Greymouth is selecting female workers from certain groups. At present, women lor the Mental Hospital are being selected only from those who have attained the age of 25, for employment in the North Island girls under 21 will not be directed, while for the Grey Hospital vacancies selections will "be made from those aged 18 and over.

The Festival of the West Coast Mothers' Union took place in Greymouth, yesterday, when more than 150 delegates attended from Westport, Reefton, Ahaura, Cobden. Kumara, Hokitika, Otira, and Greymouth. In the morning a service of Holy Communion was conducted in Holy Trinity Church, the celebrant being the Vicar. Rev. P. Kirkham, the address being given by Rev. C. A. Scarfe, of Ahaura. The Mothers’ Union Choir also took part. After lunch an address was delivered by Head Deaconess J. Spencer-Smith, of Christchurch, who spoke on women’s part in the world. A musical programme was also presented. Visiting clergy included Rev. Roger Taylor (Kumara), Rev. Mr. Childs (Hokitika), and Rev. E. O. Harding (Runanga).

Interesting evidence of the quantity of gold remaining to be won in the Taramakau district was given before the Commission sitting in Greymouth by Mr. F. Bird, Mining Registrar. The old-time miners, he said, had left some gold for future generations, and it had been estimated that there were about 1000 acres of good dredging land in the vicinity of the Taramakau bridge and in the river, and in the vicinity of the Greenstone. Research had indicated that gold worth £1,000,000 to £1,500,000 remained to be won. Before the war a dredging company had been formed, and after the war the biggest dredge in New Zealand would be erected, giving employment to 50 men for' 15 to 20 years.

Do you know: That politicians devoid of ideas live in the past? Labour speeches prove this. Nationalism lives for the future—your future. Vote National.—Advt.'

Do you know: That the Labour Government employs Professor Shelley at £2OOO per annum, out of your 25/license fees, to ‘select underworld serials for the radio “education” of your children? Vote National.—Advt.

Spring Charm starts with your choice of Millinery. White’s are showing a very smart range. Call early; we guarantee to please you.— White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre.—Advt.