DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 June 1944, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS

STRUCK BY TRUCKS. WESTPORT, June 15

Compound fractures of both legs below the knees, and a compound fracture of the left arm, were received by William Parfitt, aged 61, a retired storekeeper, of Stockton, when he was struck by a rake of trucks at the Stockton mine, this afternoon. He was admitted to the Buller Hospital, where his condition is regarded as critical. SHOPPING WEEK NEW PLYMOUTH, June 15. Mr. A. R. Masters, president of the New Zealand Master Grocers' Federation, said in Stratford that he did not consider that the statement of Mr. I. R. Wilson, president of the Auckland Master Grocers’ Association, called for a long reply. “Auckland could possibly have dominated the position as far as New Zealand was concerned, but against this it must be considered that the Wellington association, with a substantial membership, did not take a ballot, although its annual meeting opposed a five-day week,” said Mr. Masters. “I think it would be wrong for me to enter into any controversy with my own people on this vita! question, and I do not intend to pursue the matter any further,” added Mr. Masters. When Mr. Masters was asked the number of grocers throughout New Zealand who failed to vote, he said that approximately 1500 did not do so. When asked to comment on the statement made by Mr. Wilson that the majority favoured a five-day week, Mr. Masters said that with the inclusion of the Auckland vote the majority was 28. EX-SOLDIER’S THEFTS.

AUCKLAND, June 16

“You’ve been trying to cash in on your war experiences, but I want to let you and others know that when they try this, they are not going to get very far,” said the Magistrate (Mr. Luxford) to Allan Ewart Jones. 24, labourer, to-day, when accused pleaded guilty to six charges of theft. Jones was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. The thefts involved money, wallets, watches, and other articles.

It was stated by the police that accused came from Wellington. He had not done any work, but set out on a series of systematic thefts. His method was to go to a private hotel and book in under a fictitious name, become acquainted with other boarders, and tell them tales about his service in the N.Z.E.F.. Actually he had spent a year in the Middle East, returning to New_ v Zealand 18 months ago. When he got to know the boarders, it was alleged that he went to their rooms at night, and took money and articles.