LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1944, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

In recent mining examinations conducted. in Greymouth, Mr. C. Wright, of Runanga, completed a pass in the underviewer’s examination, <nid Messrs Shutt and MclVlanon, of Retxton, completed passes in the deputy’s examination.

A miner, James Phillips, of Taylorville, received severe injuries to his right foot in the Wallsend Stare mine this morning when, as a result of a jig prop pulling out. a full box of coal ran over his foot. He was given ‘first aid in the mine and after attention by Dr. K. ( Kent at the mine-mouth he was removed to the Grey Hospital. His condition this afternoon was stated to be satisfactory. *

The Acting-Prime Minister (Mr. Sullivan) announced, last evening, that after representations from the Public Service Association, the Government had agreed to the immediate appointment of an assistant Public Service Commissioner. Mr Sullivan said it" had been decided to appoint Mr. G. T. Bolt to the new position, and this appointment was to take effect forthwith. Mr. Bolt has held the position of Secretary to the Public Service Commissioner for several years.— P.A.

The following sales were approved at a meeting of the Westland Land Sales Committee: H. J. and E. Hill to V. J. Harvey, section at Karoro at £775; W. E. Reynolds to F. J. Osmers, section at £1950; C. F. McKenzie to G. Robertson, "section at £1250; E. M. Sullivan to E. H. McLaughlin, section at £700; F. NV. Vrobleski to S. R. Taylor, section at Hokitika at £525. Two applications adjourned were: A. H. Tyler to M. E. Ward, section at Greymouth, £625; R. Wilkins to C. A. Montgomerie, section at Greymouth, £1135.

“Greymouth is really an historical accident!” said the Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) at the meeting held last evening to consider the formation or. a Progress League. He was explaining the lack of planning in the town lor recreational areas, and said that the town of Greymouth was originally planned to be between the Cenotaph and the brick kiln at Karoro, and that it was not intended by the men who surveyed the town that it should be in its present location. However, with the goldmining industry’s advance the town’s centre came to be on the banks of the river, close to the available transport.

The Chairman of the Dominion Settelment Association, Mr. Leigh Hunt, has sent the following message to the Piime Minister (Mr. Fraser):—“As apparently British adult immigrants are not available, the association earnestly urges you, while in England, to lay the foundation of a post-war plan to" obtain a substantial number of .United Kingdom and European war orphans. Hundreds of thousands can be placed here for adoption or reared on Fairbridge Farm schools. Unless New Zealand moves quickly a highly valuable and unique source'of securing youthful immigrants will be lost.” —P.A.

Referring to the shortage of industry on the West Coast at the Progress League meeting at Greymouth last evening, the Rehabilitation Officer (Mr. N. Campbell) said that for lack of opportunities offering he had had to send men away from their West Coast homes to Christchurch for work. .This was questioned by Mr. D. Mclvor, who said there were ample vacancies in the mines, but Mr. Campbell said that the men he was referring to were Grade 3 and .4 men, who could do only light work. Grade I men could easily be placed in the mines and mills. It was suggested by Mr. J. Saunders that afforestation, which was being planned for the West Coast, might offer suitable employment for men who could do only light work.

“Fortunately, I have not had the privilege of being incarcerated there,” said Mr W. D. Taylor, amidst laughter, at the public meeting at Greymouth last evening in connection with the formation of a Progress League, “but the ■ conditions under which the Greymouth police work are, frankly, shocking, and it is a tribute to their loyally that there has not been trouble there . The noble cells at the rear of the station—well, the Black Hole of Calcutta was a palace to them. It is a positive disgrace that any prisoner, guilty or not guilty, should be lodged there!” He added that' it was said the reason for the state of affairs not being remedied was shortage of labour, but there ■seemed to be plenty of labour to remove the towers ‘ from post offices throughout the country. Mass will be celebrated on next Sunday, May 21st at Kokiri, 8 a.m. and al Te Kinga, 10.15 a.m.—Advt. The Army meat ration scale has now been brought into line wim me civilian ration. As from the beginning of this month the allowance for adult personnel in New Zealand engaged on lull-time duties has been fixed at 6ib a week for men and 451 b for women. These weights include bone, sausages, meat ortai, rabbus, ana puuwry. m addition tiiere is a weekly allowance ot not more than 14oz of bacon and Boz of fish for men and women. Lne.se rations are based on tne carcases, and are equivalent to 3.21 b of utiautr: meat ■■ / men and 2.21 b for women. The civilian ration works out at 2.bib or butchers’ meat for eacn member of the family. Previously the Army ration was I'Jb of meat w’th bone or 11b without bone a day for each man and woman, less issues oi sausages, bacon, and fish. When fish was issued the meat ration was reduced by an equivalent quantity, f or bacon the meat ration was reduced by double the amount of bacon. . At a meeting with the Thames Hospital Board and contributing local bodies, the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer). heard objections from local bodies involving inability to pay tne increased _ rate lor the Thames Hospital rebuilding proposals, objections to the site, and the incidence of hosijtal taxation. Mr. Nordmeyer said Hospital rating was a complicated matter, and as Minister of Health he deplored . the attitude .suggested in some districts of direct action to meet the position. Such action on the part of any responsible person was miscnievous, misleading, and dishonest. If hospital rating was to be abolished it was for Parliament to decide, not a pressure group in any local authority. At the same time, he felt that the present system of hospital rating had many things against it. It contained irregularities throughout the Dominion, and was in need of overhaul. No doubt the select Parliamentary Committee set up to investigate local government would have this matter well to the lore. If the present system of land taxation was abolished, the question was, what would replace it? — P.A.

Big news for Greymouth, a Progress League has been formed! The first meeting has been held, and was largely attended by some of the most | able talent of the town, which rea- : lises that something of this nature was urgently needed for the betterment of the Coast in general. Housewives have realised for some considerable time that something of this nature was required, and have shown that they are fully alive to the situation by sending their washing to a Progressive Laundry, where there isi a service to meet the most fastidious need at a reasonable cost. B§ uro- | gressive and support your local industries. ’Phone 136 and Westland Laundry will do the rest.—Advt.