Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 November 1943, Page 4

Local and General

The engagement of additional temporary staff for shops will be permitted for the Christmas holiday period, says a statemen., by the National Service Department. The term of employment must be temporary, and the engagements must terminate before the end of January. Employees must be married women not normally available for fulltime employment, or school girls under 18, who will be returning to school or commencing at Training College or University next year. Application for permission to employ such workers must be made to the District Manpower Officer, in terms of the Restriction of Employment Order.—P.A.

Occupying just over three years, the construction of the North Breakwater at Greymouth has been completed at a cost of about £lO,OOO. When the work began in September, 1940, it was estimated that it would require four or five years to complete, but although the staff has varied between 18 and eight men, and conditions at times have been severe, excellent progress has been enjoyed. Mr. D. S. Kennedy, Engineer, explained today that the extension of the breakwater by 140 feet, at an average depth of 30 feet, has involved the placing of 20,000 tons of concrete and stone, in which some 18,000 bags of cement have been used. There are at present two huge blocks held in reserve; one is of 80 tons and the other of 100 tons, the latter including within the mass a quantity of old dredge buckets.

Cr. J. Stokes was appointed to represent the Greymouth Borough on the Grey Hospital Board in place of Mrs. C. E. Broad, who has resigned in view of her impending departure for Invercargill. This decision was made at a meeting of the Council last evening, on the motion of Cr. P. Blanchfield and the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham). In the course of the discussion it was mentioned that Cr. Stokes was the next candidate on the list at the election of members of the Board and in seconding the motion that he be appointed the Mayor made it plain that he was not voting for Cr. Stokes because he was next on the list. He did - not agree with the principle of appointing the candidate next on the list.

Authority for increased honoraria to the chairman and members of the New Zealand Poultry Board is given in regulations gazetted last evening. The honoraria have been increased from £l2/10/- to £5O yearly for members, and that of the chairman from £5O to £lOO annually.—P.A.

The Librarians (Misses M. L. Cunliffe and M. McGlashan) presented the following report for October to a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening: Books issued — C.L.S., 993; fiction, 2539; non fiction, 647; total free, 3186; rental, 653; registrations, 43; cash takings, £l3 1/9.

Amended rehabilitation regulations gazetted last evening provide that children of servicemen killed or totally incapacitated may qualify for benefits under the Rehabilitation Act, irrespective of whether their mother is living or dead. This removes an anomaly in the previous regulations which debarred children of deceased servicemen from such benefits unless the mother were dead. —P.A.

For the second time in three hours, the Greymouth Fire Brigade was called out about 5.30 p.m. yesterday to an outbreak of fire at the residence of Mrs. Muir, Cowper Street. As in the case of Mrs. Bullimore’s house earlier in the afternoon the fire was apparently caused by the use of a blow-lamp in the removal ot old paint. At the Cowper Street fire, hose had to be run out to quell the fire but little damage was done.

The final meeting for the year of St. Paul’s Young Women’s Guild was- held, last evening, Mrs. W. T. Moore presiding over a large attendance. Enjoyment was derived from a play reading given by Rev. E. S. Hoddinott. Mrs. W. Braithwaite was declared the winner of the trophy for most points in the monthly competitions. It was announced that the proceeds from the stall at the recent social function totalled £B/7/-. Supper was served by the hostesses.

The New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Christchurch, reported to a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening that the following meat was sent to Grey district butchers during October: —Large cattle, 255; calves, five; sheep, 1123; lambs, 129; boneless meat, 3021 lbs. The Greymouth Abattoir report for the same period was: Examined: Cows 17; bullocks and heifers, 148; sheep 166; lambs, nine; pigs, 24; calves, 7; total fees £lOB 9/7.

The highest-priced flower sold in Greymouth to-day was a £5 rose. This amount was paid to a pair of Plunket rose-sellers this morning during their tour of a section of the town by a business man, who contributed the same sum last year. With headquarters in the Town Kall the Plunket Society’s annual appeal, favoured with fine weather, promised to have a successful result. The various stalls reported good business and townspeople responded well to the street-sellers in their rose sales.

Training College students and certain classes of junior teachers are now placed in the same position as permanent teachers and other civil servants in respect of salary increments while serving with the armed forces. That is, while so serving their rights will be fully protected, and they will be entitled to receive the same increments as they would be entitled to in normal civil life. Machinery for this readjustment of the Teachers’ Emergency Regulations is contained in an amendment gazetted last evening.— P.A.

Further steps are being taken in a fresh attempt to build up the nursing staff of the Grey Hospital. The Manpower Office has issued directions to a number of girls, and yesterday the Matron (Miss N. Moffatt) interviewed 15 of them before they underwent medical examination. There are only five young women available for the pupil nurses’ class, which must be built up to ten at least. Miss Moffatt pointed out to-day that in all hospitals during the last three years more vacancies than ever before have occurred for nurses, but the supply lias not kept step with the demand.

It was decided at a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening to ask owners and occupiers of business premises in the town to clear grass growing along the frontages of their buildings. The Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) said that the Council should start with the Town Hall first. Cr. Saunders: “I see there is some grass growing practically out of your window, Mr. Fairmaid.” He added that in the pas! it had been possible for the Council’s employees to do some of such work required, but that the Council did not have the labour now to do it.

“At times it is in a very filthy condition as a result of the improper use made of it,” said the Borough Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) at a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council, last evening, when referring to the public lavatory at the corner of Mawhera Quay and Boundary Street, regarding the cleaning of which a letter was received from Mr. J. Griffen, Westland Agent of the Local Body and General Labourers’ Union, suggesting that a flat rate be allowed the street cleaner employed by the Council on account of the filthy state in which the convenience was sometimes found by the cleaner, whose duty it was to clean the buildings. It was resolved on the recommendation of the Engineer, that the cleaner’s wages be increased by one penny an hour, or 3/4 a week.

The Postmaster-General (Mr Webb) announced yesterday that all cheap-rate Christmas greetings, telegrams to members of the forces overseas must be lodged before December 5 in order to ensure delivery before Christmas. The Minister explained that during the period December 6 to December 25 inclusive, the cheap-rate cablegram service to members of the Armed Forces overseas would be subject to the following alterations;—(a) To all places other than the Middle East, South Pacific Islands and the United States of America, the service is to be suspended. (b) To the Middle East the service is to be continued, except that mesages containing seasonal greetings will not be accepted, (c) To the South Pacific Islands the full service is to be continued, (d) To the United States of America the service is to be restricted to six special seasonal greetings texts. The Minister explained that, even with the reduction that would be brought about by the restrictive measures, no guarantee could be given that messages for the Middle East lodged after December 5 would be delivered before Christmas. For communicating on non-urgent matters with troops in the Middle East the airgraph service should be used in preference to the telegraphs. During the period of suspension of the soldiers’ cheap rate service, the G.L.T, service will still be available. This extends to all parts of the Empire, but does not include Egypt.—P.A.

■Good quality Suede finish Fabric Gloves, English make. Shades, navy, black, chamois and white. Sizes 6 to 7|, 8/6 pr. at C. Smith’s.—Advt. TTr ,X? u , r It’s right if it’s from White s big collection of Models in tur felts and fancy straws; the collection includes all the snappiest shapes and all the newest and attractive trimmings—in all shades.— White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre.—Advt.

The Greymouth Borough Council decided last evening to supply the necessary lining for the caretaker’s office at the Municipal Swimming Baths. It was stated that the office was very cold and draughty and that if the material were provided the caretaker would carry out the work.

‘‘Last year we made considerable financial progress in the Borough and in view of the small number of men employed it is just possible that we may be able to make more such progress this year,” said the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) at a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening.

The work of removing the eleven piles at the Lagoon Wharf which were seriously affected by the marine grub has been completed. Originally 16 inches in diameter, several of the piles had been eaten away to within a few inches, although they had been in the water for about only 15 years. It is understood that orner parts of the wharf structure have been attacked by the teredo, which is a much larger creature than the marine grub.

“I know for a fact that a lot of the boneless meat that comes here from Christchurch consists ot old bulls and rams that would not be allowed to go through the'Abattoirs here,” said Cr. P. Blanchfield at a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council lasi evening during a discussion on Abattoir reports. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) commented tnat a huge quantity of old ewe mutton had come to the district at one time, and that it had been sold here at about lour times the cost price in Christchurch.

Mrs. F. Lockington presided at the November meeting ot the Brunner Women’s Institute, which was largely attended. The motto for the montn was “Give as well as take and ah is well.” Mrs. T. Nimmo gave a reporc of the half-yearly Federation meeting held in Greymouth. The competition, a jar of Spring flowers, was well contested, the result being Mrs. W. Richardson, 1; Mrs. Bennie 2. A jelly sponge without butter, competition, which also brought many entries, was won by Mrs. F. Williams. Supper was served by the hostesses Mesdames Coates, Butterfield and Miss Adamson.

Greymouth local bodies have for some time discussed the question oi “tourists” and “joy-rides,” when receiving invitations to be represented at conferences away from the West Coast, and the Borough Council last evening decided not to be represented at the conference of the N.Z. Institute of Town Clerks nor at the annual conference of the Libi'ary Assn, next year. Cr. J. B. Kent and the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham), who seconded the motion pro forma, were the only ones who supported a motion that the Town Clerk be granted leave to attend the Institute conference. Crs. Kent and G. R. Harker and the Mayor spoke iq favour of the Council being represented at the Library Association conference, and Cr. Harker suggested that the junior librarian should be appointed to attend, but a motion that the Council be represented was lost on the voices, no division being taken. A suggestion was also made during the discussion that the Council might not be represented at the Municipal Conference to be held in February next year, but a decision on that question will be made at a later date.

Work on loading a coal cargo for New Plymouth into the steamer Holmlea, which was originally scheduled to leave Greymouth early this morning, has' been held up and the departure of the vessel considerably delayed. It is understood that owing to lack of coal cargo, labour was not called till 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon, instead of 8 a.m., and that the men considered they should have received payment from 8 a.m. onward. When the unloading of 16 tons of general cargo had been completed, work ceased. The matter was placed before a full meeting of the union, which decided that no further work be done on the vessel until a settlement was reached. As a result the Holmlea was idle to-day. The dispute was eventually referred to the Waterfront Control Commission. Wellington. When Mr. H. Outram. Secretary of the Greymouth Waterside Workers’ Union, was asked, this morning, whether there had been any developments since that step was taken, he declined to make any comment at all. Meanwhile the Company has declined to discuss the men’s claims until work has been resumed.

Khaki Shirts in heavy twib material. Sizes S.M., M. and O.S. 15/6 at C. Smith’s. —Advt.

Many Greymouth women know these facts! How about you? That it’s cheaper and better to send washing to the Westland Laundry. Clothes are washed cleaner under the mosl sanitary and sterile conditions —we actually use seven separate waters Our modern washing and ironing machines cannot damage clothes. Bul what of the cost? Try our No. 2 Thrifty Service, which covers 181 b of flat work, washed and ironed perfectly for only 5/-. This comprises 8 sheets, 9 pillowslips, 9 towels, 6 tea towels and 3 tablecloths —a total of 35 articles or the eqiuvalent. This represents the average household’s flat wash for a fortnight—so the cost really works out at 2/6 per week. Add up what it costs you for soap, blue, firing and electricity and the depreciation on your own health, and you’ll find ours is. a real Thrift Service.—Westland Laundry, Ltd., ’Phone 136. Depot: 27 Albert Street. —Advt.