Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 September 1943, Page 4

Local and General

At a special meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council, yesterday afternoon, formal resolutions were passed to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for its sanction to the borrowing of £4OOO for the construction of the main sewer in the Terrace area, Cobden, the loan to be fox- 25 years and a 1 interest not exceeding 3? per cent. To meet the annual charges on the ioan a special security rate of 2.222 d in the £ on the unimproved value will be levied over the Cobden area of the borough, exclusive of the areas already sewered. One objection to the raising of the loan was received and it will be forwarded to the Loans Board with the application for permission to raise the loan. At one of the largest farmers’ meetings ever held in Murchison 60 were present at a gathering sponsored by the Farmers’ Union and the Young Farmers’ Clubs for the purpose of discussing the Land Sales Act. The following resolution was carried by 56 votes to four:—“That this large gathering deplores the action of the Government in ignoring the Farmers’ Union’s proposals and substituting with missing link in total nationalisation of the land, and agrees with the motion passed at the combined meeting of the provincial Farmers’ Union and “ the Chamber of Commerce held in Nelson,”

The chief electoral officer advises that a black cross on ths back of an I electoral ballot paper indicates that is the paper to be placed in the electoral ballot box, and is there to distinguish it from the licensing poll paper.

During shunting operations at Elmer Lane, this morning, a shunter, Mr. G. Murtha, aged 37, received injuries when he was crushed between two wagons. He received medical attention, after which he was removed to his home. The full extent of his injuries has not been ascertained.

A meeting of the Clerical, Office Assistants and Shop Assistants Manpower Advisory Committee was held in Greymouth yesterday afternoon, consideration being the case of a Category A man empldyed in a warehouse. It was decided to recommend that his present sine die adjournment be extended.

In the last year the National Broadcasting Services showed a balance of £374,361, or 61 per cent, profit, said Mr. W. H. Gillespie, National candidate for Hurunui, at Kaiapoi last evening. The National Party believed it could make an annual profit of £100,00(1 a year on a license fee of 12/6, he said.

There were 3632 New Zealanders who were prisoners of war in Italy, said the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) at Dunedin, yesterday. The Minister added that so far no information had been received whether any of these prisoners had been released as a result of Italy’s withdrawal from active operations. As soon as any information was available it would be communicated to those concerned.

Unusually heavy tonnages of coal are being handled by the Railways Department in the Grey district, ana during the present week consignments from the Buller area have averaged 450 tons a day. Shipping has taken large quantities, but big tonnages of coal and timber have also been sent overland to Canterbury. Half a dozen coastal vessels are leaving Greymouth with coal and timber to-day and to-morrow.

.After being closed by dec-p snow for more than a month, the highway between Otira and Arthur's Pass is again open for motor traffic. Giving this information to-day, the Public Works Department added that no information was available of the position with respect to the large slip at the Bealey. Earlier, it was expected that several days would be required to clear the debris.

Greymouth has experienced a fortnight during which rain has fallen on every day. Since September 10— the last fine day—ll.B4 inches have been recorded, bringing the total for the year to 78.35 inches. Another 55 points were recorded during the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day. At that hour the barometer, after falling steadily, was stationary at 982.9 millibars—the level at which it sPjod prior to the heavy rains and big flood in 1940.

“We will not sack Messrs McLagan, Roberts, and Walsh—we won’t want any unemployed in this country,” said Lieutenant A. R. Guthrey, M.C., National Party candidate for Christchurch South, when he explained to electors last evening that his party was determined that outside domination of Parliament must cease. “We will say to them, ‘you look after your job-—the trade unions—and we will Hook after our job—the administration of the Government of the country” added Lieutenant Guthrey.

The Government’s intention to appoint a Royal Commission as soon as practicable after the election to investigate the operation of the Licensing Act, and to make recommendations it considered desirable, which would be submitted to a referendum of the people, was announced by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) fast evening. He said he understood that Mr Holland had made some partial promise, and also understood that those responsible for carrying on the licensing trade favoured a Royal Commission so that the present unrest could be allayed. When he was Minister of Health he had to deal with licensing regulations. He received the co-operation of the licensing people, and it was felt that the whole matter should be looked into, and the Government intended to do that.—P.A.

To-night at the Town Hall, Hon. J. O’Brien will address the electors on the wonderful achievement of New Zealand at War and at Work. He will also deal with those who for petty party politics want to prove world opinion wrong and tarnish New Zealand’s fair name.—Advt.

Do you know: That among the seventy-six National candidates there are many men born, bred, and educated in New Zealand, who are eminently fitted to govern New Zealand for New Zealanders? Chivers is one of them. Vote National.—Advt.

Do you know: Why Australians voted Labour? Because they have a real leader in Mr Curtin. New Zealand has been led from the rear by Roberts and Co. Vote National — Advt.

Ladies’ good quality Art Silk and Cotton Hose, mock fashioned, shades: Talkie, Aloha and Peru. Sizes: BMn” to 10” 5/6 pr.—C. Smith’s.—Advt.

Gloves for gardening or housework. Real leather palms, unbleached backs. 4/6 pr.—C. Smith’s.—Advt.

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