Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1943, Page 4

Local and General

Mr. Webb announced that in view of the existing situation in Italy, recent postings of parcels and letters for New Zealand prisoners in that country had been forwarded to London, so that correspondence could, if necessary, be redirected and sent on from there. This course would be continued until the position was clarified.—P.A.

Conditions of work in the Mines Department as they affect the managerial, technical, and clerical staffs were discussed at a conference held in Greymouth, last evening, which was attended by Mr. F. W. Millar, Secretary of the Public Service Association, Wellington. It is understood that certain representations will be made through the Association to the Mines Controller, as a result of a discussion on hours and salaries.

“How did you get here?” asked a man of Mr. S. G. Holland at question time at his meeting in Invercargill. “I travelled by car, and we paid for the petrol,” Mr. Holland replied. “My opponent, the Prime Minister, flew to Invercargill, and you paid for the petrol.” “Civil Service salaries in New Zealand are a disgrace,” said the National candidate for- Timaru (Mr. Jack Satterthwaite) on Tuesday. “I am referring to the real Civil Service; not the departments which have grown up in the last couple of years,” he added.

Fresh from a season at the Opera House, Tripoli—lately under Axis management—the Kiwi concert party opened a tour of the Dominion at Blenheim last night. A packed house greeted “Freyberg’s Circus,” whose lively revue scored an instantaneous success.—P.A.

“I believe the Mothers’ Union is the best organisation in the Church of England,” said Canon G. Nelham Watson, at Christchurch, when addressing the annual meeting of the Mothers’ Union yesterday. “It is an organisation that seems to be able to adapt itself wherever it goes, and where there is a strong branch the vicar of the parish always knows he has powerful backing.” The special facilities which have been granted Army personnel to vote at the booth established in Greymouth —the only one on the Coast—will terminate at 7 p.m. on Friday, the eve of the General Election. The booth has been well patronised'. In addition facilities have been given Army personnel- in Hokitika and in hospital to cast their votes before the day of the poll.

The unfavourable weather conditions and the fresh in the Grey River have continued to militate against speedy handling of shipping in Greymouth. The persistent rain yesterday prevented any work being done on the wharf during the afternoon and evening, while in the morning there was only a few hours’ work. The rainfall in Greymouth for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day was 1.44 inches.

A. meeting of the West Coast Centre of the Amateur Swimming Association was held in Greymouth, last evening, Mr G. Walters presiding. Mr F. W. Baillie was accorded a resolution of sympathy in the death of his father. It was decided not to make an application for the 1944 championships to be held on the Coast. The Westport Club agreed that Mr Walters represent it in place of Mr Rattray, who recently resigned. The persistent freshes in the Grey River during the last ten days have,, been responsible for a certain amount' of shoaling at the berthages due to the presence in port of shipping, but so far conditions have prevented soundings being taken. This morning a fresh of four to five knots was again running in the river following continued rain up-country, and with heavy seas still operating on the bar shipping could not negotiate the entrance.

The monthly meeting of the Brunner Women’s Institute was held on Monday evening, Mrs F. Lockington presiding over a good attendance. The motto was: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The rollcall was “Old photo of yourself.” A demonstration of a bread-brooch was given by Mrs Baty, who was accorded a vote of thanks. Competition results:—Cheese scones: Mrs Lockington. Vase of Spring flowers: Mrs Nimmo. Hostesses for the evening were Mesdames S. Williams, Todd and Wootten.

The Spring equinox will occur tomorrow, when the sun will be vertical over the equator, and day and night, expressed in apparent solar time, will be equal all over the world. For New Zealand, as well as for all other countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the equinox will mark the first day of Spring, for the sun is moving southward, daily bringing greater warmth. Contrary to general belief, the equinox does not always fall on the same date. Generally -it occurs on September 21 or 22, but it can never fall later than September 24, on which date it occurs this year.

The main Canterbury-West Coast road will be closed to traffic for some days because of the large slip between Bealey and Arthur’s Pass. Heavy rain in the mountains has caused further damage to the roads, and at this point has brought down more than 10,000 tons of debris on to the road, which is blocked completely for 30 yards. There is still no word as to when the Arthur’s Pass section will be sufficiently cleared of snow to enable traffic to proceed. So Jar as the Maruia-Murchison secondary route is concerned, the Public Works Department at Grcymouth to-day expected that temporary means of negotiating the section would by now be available.

To-night at 8 o’clock, Mr. Frank Chivers, Westland’s National candidate, will address Greymouth Electors in the Town Hall. Don’t miss this opportunity of hearing him.—Advt.

A statement in support of earlier advice that members should refuse service on land sales committees was made yesterday by Mr. W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, to a meeting of the union’s North Canterbury executive. Members questioned Mr. Mulholland about, the implications of the Dominion executive’s request. He said in reply that some members who had seemed to doubt its advisability were obviously concerned lest it should be thought they refused to assist in the establishment of returned men on the land. This was not the case. “There is nothing in the Soldiers’ Resettlement and Land Sales Act which will put a single returned man on the land,” said Mr. Mulholland. “Existing legislation, if brought up to date, would have covered that. The trouble with the exist- I ing legislation, as far as the Government is concerned, was that it did not give them power to take our land, as this new act does,”

Mr E. Cholerton, proprietor of “Procter’s,” opticians, Christchurch, may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Grey Motor Buildings (Upstairs) to-morrow and Saturday. Appointments can be made by ringing Miss Pfeifer. ’Phone No. 475.— Advt.

Do you know: That the Labour Government keeps a battalion of “conchies” in comparative idleness in camps in New Zealand, at a cost of £185,000, taken from the War Expenses Account? Returning. servicemen will be taxed to repay this money. Vote National.—Advt.

Do you know: That the National Party has capable men' who can govern New’ Zealand without the guidance of countless hiehly-paid board members?? Vote for Chivers.—Advt

Greymouth electors should not fail to hear Hon. J O’Brien at the Town Hall to-morrow (Friday) night, when he will deliver an address on the story of how New Zealand established a world’s record at war and at work. Everyone who has heard this address has been amazed at the achievements of the past few years -T-Advt.