Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 October 1944, Page 4

Local and General

The Minister of Marine (Mr. O’Brien), accompanied by Mr. F. W. Furkert, formerly Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, arrived in Greymouth by shortly before 1 o’clock this afternoon to discuss the harbour situation with the Engineei of the Greymouth Harbour Board (Mr. U. o. Kennedy). The visitors, who earlier called at Westport for similar discussions, were due to leave again at 3.30 for Wellington. Bad weather on Saturday prevented the P la^ e making the journey' on that day.. Mr. B. W. Millier, Acting Secretary of Marine, and Mr. G. A. E. Kensington, the Ministers private secretary, were included in the party. Mr. O’Brien stated in an interview that the visit was purely to inspect the harbour works at Greymouth and Westport, and that he had no fresh information to make available. Mr. Furkert recently returned from an overseas trip of an official nature.

Slips'which came down yesterday blocked the Lewis Pass route to Canterbury. However, the staff of the Public Works Department had the road open again last evening. The Arthur’s Pass route has not been affected.

Ration books which had been in use during the past year expired on Saturday. At the close of business on that day the Chief Post Office at Greymouth had issued a total of 9362 new books, leaving about 1000 more outstanding.

Last week 18,209 tons of freight passed through the Otira Tunnel from the West Coast. This compares with 16,304 tons in the similar period of last year and only 8164 tons in the corresponding week of 1942, when Labour Day was observed' as a holiday by the railways.

Installation of the new siren at the Greymouth Fire Station is expected to be completed to-morrow, and during that afternoon it will be tested at intervals. Subsequently, the> siren will provide a time signal, it being intended to test it each Saturday precisely at noon. It has been erected on the bell towei' 50ft. from the ground, whereas the bell, which had been up for 32 years, was 60ft. high.

The regular weekly sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth, this morning, was unusually brief, the three cases for hearing being disposed of within a few minutes. Two were adjourned and, in the third, a statutory first offender found on licensed premises on October 1, 1944, during prohibited hours, was convicted and fined 10/- with 10/- costs. Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., was on the Bench.

Weather permitting, the R.S.A. Carnival at McGinley Park will be continued to-night.—Advt.

Seven bags of second-class mail matter were damaged by a fire, the cause of whicTi is unknown, on the Stillwater railway station shortly before 6 o’clock yesterday morning. They had been taken from the- van of the Christchurch-Greymouth perishable train for transhipment to Reefton, Buller and Nelson districts, and contained an assortment of articles, including several men’s suits. The Buller and Nelson bags were placed on a barrow together, and when a porter returned from storing the Reefton mail he discovered the barrow load ablaze. The damaged mail comprised two bags from Christchurch to Nelson, two bags from Dunedin to Nelson, one bag from Christchurch to Murchison, one parcel bag from Christchurch to Westport, and one parcel bag from Dunedin to Westport. In addition one Christchurch to Westport bag, which included some air mail from Auckland,, was scorched, but it is believed that the contents can be delivered. Two bags from Dunedin to Westport, and one bag from Christchurch to Westport were saved.

An instalment of the combined Social and National Security charge on income other „than salary or wages derived during the year ended March 31, falls due on November 1, and on the same date a quarterly instalment (5/-) of the Registration Fee becomes payable by male persons aged 20 years or over.

Boys’ Navy Flannel Shirts, buttoned to neck. Sizes 1 to 12. Priced from 9/9 to 12/9.—C. Smith, Ltd.—Advt.

Smartly dressed women prefer to shop at White’s; the Home of the newest and most charming Fashions of the Season.-White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre.—Advt.

Patterned Voiles suitable for children’s frocks, curtains, etc. Pastel colourings. 36in. wide; 3/6 yard.—C. Smith, Ltd.—Advt.

Some women say—“l don’t mind washing, but I loathe ironing!” Well, let the Westland Laundry take the whole wearisome burden off your shoulders. We have three services— Bagwash, Thrifty and Fully Finished, and one of these will surely .suit your needs—and, of course, your purse—because every one of these services has proved its economy. Our modern washing and ironing machines cause far less wear and tear than the oldfashioned scrub-board—and all washing is hygienically washed and sterilised in seven separate waters. Only the finest laundry soap is used with Lux chips for blankets. Give us a trial order—we are certain you’ll be thrilled with the results. Depot: 27 Albert Street. ’Phone 136, Westland Laundry Limited.—Advt.