LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 November 1943, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Greymouth Five Brigade was called out at 3.20 o’clock this morning to a fii'e at the residence of Mr and Mrs Paul, in Doyle Street, Blaketown. The fire originated at the rear of the kitchen, but was extinguished with a stirrup pump. Little damage was done.

The sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board, which, was previously announced foi’ Tuesday, December 7, at 10.30 a.m., at Greymouth, has been postponed to the following day at the same hour. The Christchurch Manpower Appeal Committee will be sitting in Greymouth on the Tuesday.

Rain reached the West Coast, this afternoon, when a light fall was reported to have commenced at Otira. At midnight heavy rain was falling in Christchurch. Although humid conditions still persisted in Greymouth, to-day, the barometer remained steady at 1018.4, which is regarded as “a good glass,” and prospects of rain were not bright.

This morning’s express from Greymouth to Christchurch carried a heavy passenger list, two carq being added to the train before its departure. Substantial bookings are being made for the special race train which will leave Greymouth late to-morrow evening, and it will probably comprise eight carriages.

A case of car conversion by a boy aged seven years has been reported to the Feilding police. The boy and an older brother were playing truant from school and took a small car from a street. They drove half a mile and stopped in the middle of the road. A woman, who suspected that something was amiss, spoke to them and was assured that the car belonged to them. They even tried to sell her some gooseberries which were in the car. The woman, however, was dissatisfied with the answers and took the boys to the school headmaster.—P.A.

The following has been received from the Soviet Government in reply to a message on the occasion of the Soviet National Day, from the Government and people of New Zealand: —“The Government of the U.S.S.R. .expresses to the Government and people of New Zealand its gratitude for their congratulations on the occasion of the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Soviet State and for the expression of their feelings in connection with the fight of the Soviet people against the German Fascist invaders.”—P.A.

For the first time, girl students of the Greymouth Technical High School will take their share of seasonal farm work in response to the appeal from the manpower authorities. So far about a dozen girls have indicated their willingness to assist, and 16 to 18 boys will also take part in seasonal employment on farms. It is expected that all the secondary schools in this district will supply a quota of girls of 16 and over and boys aged 15 or more. They will probably be given employment in the Canterbury and Nelson districts.

The rigid standard demanded in making clothing for servicemen was referred to by the manager of a factory producing jungle shirts, when he was giving evidence before the No. 10a Armed Forces Appeal Court in Christchurch. Pie said that if the pocket of a shirt was one-eighth of an inch out the shirt was rejected. “I don’t Think the Japs would mind if the pocket was not straight,” he said. The fallacy of this precision was emphasised later, however, when the witness said that in the jungle the shirts lasted only two days sometimes before they were torn to shreds.

Although a considerable swell is still operating on the Grey bar, conditions moderated sufficiently tor a short period, this morning, to permit two vessels to sail with coal cargoes —one of them the Kartigi, whose departure had been delayed since the beginning of the week. One of the vessels touched the bar while crossing, but no harm resulted. Soundings taken this morning showed that in one part of the bar the depth had decreased by a foot to nine feet at low water, bqt in the centre there was no change, and the bar is still being treated as having a depth of ten feet at low water. The spring tide continues to make, there being an increase of four inches this morning.

Some 700 men have already been selected from the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast districts for posting to the Territorial Force in Area 9-, and will be advised by notice this week (states the “Nelson Mail”). These men will be mobilised for one month’s training with the Territorial Force, and their services are to be used to assist with r,he harvesting operations, primarily in the Nelson district, Avhere they will be engaged in the fruit, tobacco and hop harvests. They will be required to enter camo some time during the next five months, the majority being called during February, March or April. A feAV will probably be required during December. No advice to this effect has yet been received bv the Greymouth Army Office.

The Girl Guides’ Association will bo glad to receive donations of flowers, sweets, or cooked foods for the Shop Day to be held in Lawn’s Building to-morrow (Friday).—Advt.

‘New Zealand’s greatest contribution to the cause of the United Nations must be the development of its agricultural production, and this object will have to be regarded as even more important than‘"its industry,” said Sir Walter Layton, head of the British Press delegation, in an interview in Dunedin. “Even ’if the Dominion were to do nothing else, it would more than justify its existence by maintaining a base from Avhich the United Nations could synchronise the movements of the armies, navies, and air fleets to be launched against c?? 3 ™; I+ The r rois oi food producers, on waiter Layton said, was not a chamauc one, but was just as essentia.. as that of the Dominion’s fighting men, whose deeds were now legendary.—P.A.

J\ or clean job when having c 2nl\ neys craned, ring G. R —Advf: GM' P er chimney to all.

' Instructions to enable farmers to obtain supplies oi butter before the Sonnfi^u 0 " ? eir PWerties for seasonal jobs have been issued bv the I Rationing Controller, M- J r Thomas, in response to representani° n th m^ e by ll l e , D °minion Executive ol the -banners Union. “Farmers or contractors employing and feedingangs or casual labour may be issued with permits to cover butter requirements for a maximum of one week pro rata at 8 oz per person per week ” states the instruction from Mr. Thomas. If the period of employment is longer than one week, additional permits may be issued only against coupons surrendered from the S em Pi°yees. In every case the employer is to collect coupons for every complete week (Monday to Sunday) during the period of employment and return them to the rationing officer.” The West Coast is expected to participate in the scheme. Good Quality Suede finish Fabric Gloves, English make. Shades, navy,' ° a o > ebsmeis and white. Sizes 6 to 8/6 pr. at C. Smith’s.—Advt,