Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 June 1944, Page 4

Local and General

The Road Transport Advisory Committee met in Greymouth, last evening, when con sideration was given an appeal lodged by thc. Director of National Service in respect to a man engaged in a transport service. As tne work he is performing was not considered highly essential it was decided to’advise the Armed Forces Appeal Board at its sitting at Hokitika to-morrow that exemption could not be recommended.

“It is a shame that old people are being sent from Dunedin Hospital to spend then last days in the Seacliff al Hospita declared Mr. A. Steven, agent of lhe Patients and Prisoners? Aid Society, at a meeting of the Society. He said he knew of a man ol 92 years who had been sent from the hospi tai to Seacliff. “I think the Hospital Board slwuld make provision for the ejldeily people of the class mentioned, because ic is noc i i to h L they should be branded as insane. Di. J. Thomson, Medical Superintendent of Dunedin Hospital, said that patients, sent, from the hospital to Seacliff would all oe certified insane. He understood there was legislation providing for the care of such people, but nothing had been done owing _ to lack _oi money. It was resolved to interview the Hospital Board to ascertain what provision was made for such senile cases'. —-P.A.

Although negotiations between the Grey district milk industry and the Government have not broken down, the reply received late yesterday afternoon in response to the demand for an increase in price by 4d a gallon to the end of September was considered unsatisfactory. As a result the price ol milk to customers will, by the decision of yesterday’s meeting, rise from 7d to 8d a quart tomorrow, it having been decided io adopt this course if the Government failed to meet the request that increased costs be met either by a subsidy or authorisation of price increase. It is not expected that any early prosecutions will result for a breach of the stabilisation regulations, as instructions will have to come from Wellington. If a prosecution is made, the industry will discontinue general supplies. Tibwever, negotiations are still in progress. Speaking at a meeting of the Dominion Federation of Health Camps, the Health Minister (Mr. Nordmeyer) announced that the King has given special permission for portraits of Princess Elizabeth _ and Princess Margaret Rose to appear again on health stamps. The stamps will again be oi two values with the design alike, _ showing the Princesses together, the. elder in the uniform of the Sea Rangers and the younger as a Girl Guide. He also announced it was thought possible that the health camps which were temporarily used for other purposes would be able to resume their normal functions at an early date, and he suggested that the date ot opening should coincide with the date the stamps are placed on sale, October 2.—P.A.

Considerable seas were again running on the Grey bar, to-day, making the port unworkable, and a fresh of four knots continued to run in the Grey River. The Kartigi, with coal for Wellington, was still barbound. The Poolta is due this evening to load coal for Wellington, and though a light-draught vessel she will take only a restricted cargo. Yesterday’s wet weather again interfered with loading operations, and the Karu is not expected to be r’eady for sea before 1 to-morrow.

The second meeting • of the Grey Branch of the National Council of Women was held on Monday. Mrs. E. F. Evans presided over a good attendance. She welcomed new delegates from the Greymouth Women’s Institute, St. Paul’s Methodist Ladies’ Guild, and the Associate Members’ Group. Remits; were discussed and sent back to affiliated societies lor further discussion. A sub-committee was formed to investigate the housing problem with special reference to the prefabricated house.

The Greymouth Harbour Board decided last evening that the Harbourmaster submit to each monthly meeting of the Board a record of the shiphours lost through ships having to wait for tide and through bad weather, both inside and outside the harbour. The resolution was passed on the motion of two new members, Messrs W. E. J. Steer and J. J. Devine. Mr. Steer said that such a record would give the Board the best lever it could get in representations for improvement schemes, particularly a deep-sea harbour. Mr. Devine supported the remarks of Mr. Steer. Eight West Coast men who have been serving overseas returned to their homes this morning, five. for Greymouth and three for Hokitika. They were welcomed at the Greymouth Railway Station by the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) and by Staff Sergeant S. Gurden. Two. men for Greymouth, three for Hokitika, two for Westport and one foi' Reefton returned yesterday morning and they were met at the station at Greymouth by the Mayor & Mrs. O’ McLean and Mr. J. M. Macaulay (Red Cross). One man returned yesterday afternoon and he was met by the Mayor and Mr. W H. Parfitt (Patriotic Committee).

A middle-aged man, Mr. S. Gallagher, of Greymouth, had a trying experience yesterday afternoon, when a dinghy which he with other men was boarding at the side of the Atarau dredge capsized owing to its being bumped by the dredge. Mr. Gallagher and a couple of other men were thrown into the water. Ultimately Mr. Gallagher reached the head-line, from the dredge to The shore, with the aid of a young employee on the dredge, but that was not the end ot the incident for the two men were lifted into the air on the line. They were quickly lowered when their plight was realised and were soon brought out of the water.

Mass will be celebrated on next Sunday. June 18th, at Te Kinga. 8 a.m. and at Kokiri, 10.15 a.m. —Advt.

The Greymouth Harbour Board occupied over three-quarters of an hour at its meeting last evening in reception and discussion of a report presented by the retiring Chairman (Mr. J. B. Kent) on the result of the representations made to Cabinet Ministers in Wellington by a deputation from the Board in regard to schemes for improving the harbour facilities at- Grey mouth. At the conclusion of the discussion it was resolved that the Engineer (Mr. D. S. Kennedy) be authorised to proceed to Christchurch to commence the preliminary work m connection with the installing oi a model of the harbour at Greymouth. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Kent for his report and for his work on the deputation,, and to Mr. O’Brien (Minister of Marine) for the arrangements made for the reception of the deputation.

The following statement has been issued by the War Purposes Committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Pied Cross Society: “In April, 1944, the East Asian Residents’ Association in Australia circulated information to the effect that next-of-kin of persons in Japanese-occupied territory resident in Australia or New Zealand should register with the London Prisoner of War Department who would arrange with the American Red Cross for next-of-km quarterly parcels to be sent on the next exchange ship. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office cabled concerning the matter and has received a reply stating clearly that this information is not correct and that unless next-of-kin reside in America personal parcels cannot be sent by the exchange ship.”—P.A.

Come one, come all, to the Firemen’s Ball at Runanga, Friday, June 16.—Advt.

The Greymouth W I. held the June meeting in the Lyceum Hall. Mrs Green presided over a good attendance. One new member was welcomed. The motto for the month was “The spirit of delight comes oft on small wings.” An interesting talk on the “Work of the Blind Institute” was given by Rev. John Sinclair, of Christchurch, who is a blind man of the last war. The winner of the “Mystery” packet was Mrs Booth. Dressmaking classes under the tutor, Miss Robins, of Otago Universty, have begun. A demonstration of papier mache work was given by Mrs R. A. Stewart. Competition winners were:—Best bloom: Mrs Thompson 1, Miss Prendergast 2. Chud’s lunch: Mrs Trowbridge 1, Miss Prendergast 2. Bread brooch: Mrs Meates 1, Miss Prendergast 2. Health scones: Mrs Smart 1, Mrs Green 2. Knitting handed in for the month: Three pullovers and four scarves . Hostesses were Medsames Johnson, Dodd, Pound, and Smart.

Just arrived: Good quality bedticking in black and white, and also coloured stripes, 56in. 5/3 yard. 58in. 8/6 yard.—C. Smith’s Ltd.—Advt.

There is no garment more useful than, a Fur Coat; now is the time to buy one. White’s are giving £2 off all Fur Coats; these are manufactured irom the very best guaranteed skins. Call at White’s early.—Advt.