Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1945, Page 4

Local and General

The Secretary of the New Zealand Educa2med e during 1/ yeaTSd J *l/3/45, irrespective of when it. is paid. Jr.A.

The Minister of Marine Mr. J• P’ t ßr^ s ’ whn is on a short visit to the district, afternoon visited Point Elizabeth with thHarbour Board’s engineer, Mr. D. S. Renneay, in connection with the soundings which il m-ooosed to take there shortly in connection with a deep sea,, all-weather harbour on the tion from residents of the Blackball-Ngahere-Nelson Creek district with reference to the daily transport of children to school in Grey mouth.

Volcanic activity in the crater of Ruapehu has increased considerably. The vent in tne islet in the crater lake has grown bigger, and yesterday large and small rocks were b~in.-, thrown out to the edge of the crater. Angus Manson, guide at the Chateau, spent four hours making a circuit of the crater yesterday. Speaking of the crater explosions, lie said: “It was like shrapnel lire.’ While he was climbing round the crater one terrific explosion sent a shower of big rocks a thousand feet into the air. These rocks, he said, diet not fall outside the crater, but dropped back into the lake. The steam column has now more than doubled, and so much steam is pourini? from the whole lake that the new orifice is scarcely visible.—P.A. I

An increased output of about 1500 tons of fertiliser a week for many weeks would be necessary if farmers’ orders were to be filled before June, said Mr. D. N. Campbell, assistant works manager of Kempthorne, Prosser, Ltd., in evidence before the Auckland Industrial Manpower Committee yesterday. Mr. Campbell opposed the appeal of a man emnloved in the crushing department to be allowed to terminate his employment. “We haven’t an earthly chance of doing that by June w’+h present labour shortage.” continued Mr. Campbell. “If we had a lot more men we could'possibly do something about it.” Decision was reserved.—P.A.

Building permits issued by the Greymouth Borough Council in February totalled 15 for work valued at £12,923, according to the Engineer’s report to the Council meeting last, evening.

Bakers and butchers in the Grey district will, over the Easter, observe Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday as holidays, and, as in previous years, after close of business on Thursday evening, will not re-open until Tuesday morning. •In a report to the, Greymouth Borough Council last evening the Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) stated that on two days in February the Main Highways Board magnetic truck covered practically the whole Of the formed streets in the Borough and lifted 226 lb. of sundry scrap iron. The truck travelled 99 miles, in 18| hours.

The following stock were examined at the Greymouth Abattoir during February,- according to a report presented by the manager to a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening: Cows, 65 (two condemned); bullocks, 131; sheep, 601; lambs, 285; pigs, 24. Total fees, £179 16/8.

In a report to the Greymouth Borough Council last evening the Engineer (Mr. A. J. Fairmaid) stated that the reservoir had been kept full duriiig the month by an average daily pump of 20.43 hours and that as a check on waste of water a night inspection of all water services in the Borough had been recently completed.

The office of the Laboui- Department, Greymouth, which since 1926. has been in the Public Works Department building, was transferred to-day to the Greymouth Motors building at the corner of Tainui and Guinness Streets. The Labour Department office is the headquarters of the District Inspector of Factories, Awards, Scaffolding, Weights and Measures, and Fair Rents, and the Registrar of Apprentices.

The garden competition held annually by the West Coast Horticultural Society was won this season by Mrs. P. Joyce, 38 Marlborough Street. The judges stated the winner’s garden was outstanding in its balance and perfection of condition. The runners up were: Mr. S. B. White, Mrs. Shallcrass, and Mrs. A. L. McKay. The judges were Messrs R. Chibnall, W. Buchanan and S. Smith. Mrs. Joyce will hold for 12 months the crystal rose bowl known as the McLean Trophy.

“So far as this country is concerned, there will be no shortage of finance for rehabilitation,” said the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr. Skinner) in an address to a public meeting, attended by soldiers of the Great War and the present war, as well as by other citizens, at Christchurch last evening. “Rehabilitation is as much a part of the war effort as the winning of the war itself.” Already £5,500,000 had been advanced for the rehabilitation of 10,000 men, and that would give some idea of the bill which would have to be met before all men were returned to civil life. “All who have been on operations are eligible fffr rehabilitation assistance, even those on operations in New Zealand —just as if they were serving in the war zone.”

For the first time in seasons a classical “western roll” exponent will be in action at Victoria Park, to-morrow afternoon. He is J. H. Borland, Canterbury high jump champ and N.Z. record holder. —Advt.

That the American authorities last year threatened to bring their own fishing craft into New Zealand waters if the local fishing industry could not maintain a sufficient supply of fish for the American forces in the Pacific was mentioned by an officer of the National Service Department during the hearing of a case before the Auckland Industrial Manpower Committee. The case was the rehearing of an appeal by a city grill shop against the direction of one of its staff to Waitemata Fisheries, Ltd. The officer said that the labour position in the fishing industry was very serious last November when the direction of the employee had taken place, and additional hands were urgently required. A large quantity of fish was being shipped to American Pacific forces. The position had since eased, although there was still a shortage of labour in the industry.—P.A.

One of the best fields will start in the mile championship at Victoria Park to-morrow. E. Johnstone, the West Coast soldier who beat England’s best, will be seen in action against outstanding younger opponents from all parts of the Coast. —Advt.

The resignation of the caretakers of the Municipal buildings, Mr. and Mrs. C. Garner, who are to retire shortly, precipitated a discussion at a meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening on the . salary which was-to be offered in calling applications for new caretakers. Cr. J. B. Kent moved that the salary be £3OO for the two caretakers (man. and wife). This was seconded by Cr. P. Blanchfield. The Mayor moved an amendment that the advertised salary be the same as previously ’£2B3/14/-, including all allowances. He said it would be a reflection on Mr. and Mrs. Garner that once their resignation was received the Council should call applications to fill the vacancies at an increased salary. There had been no dissatisfaction with their work. Cr. McKay seconded the Mayor’s amendment, which was carried, Crs. Me Kay, Harker, Herring and the Mayor supporting it and Crs. Kent and Blanchfield the only other Councillors present, opposing it. Cr. Kent asked that his vote be recorded.

A sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board was held yesterday afternoon at Greymouth, and the following appeals were heard:—Mrs Elsie Smith sought the temporary release from the Army of her husband Francis C. Smith, his release for three months being recommended. Mrs N. T. Shaffery applied for the release from the Army of her son W.O. 11. J. A. Shaffery, who is serving with the Middle East Forces, his release being recommended for farming purposes. Appeals by the Ngahere Gold Dredge for E. W. S. Henderson, metallurgist, and by the Kanieri Gold Dredge far A. E. Thomas, metallurgist, were adjourned sine die. An appeal by the Arahura Gold Dredge for Norman Pratt, metallurgist, was dismissed, obligation to serve being postponed until April 23. An application by P. D. Cook to adopt an appeal by A. C. Marshall for P. R ,L. Olson, farm hand, was ’ granted and adjourned sine die.

“Now then, children,” said the teacher, “What is it we want most in ; this world to make us happy?” “De .things we ain’t got,” shouted the bright boy from the back seat. Quite a philosophy. But here’s one thing we have got right in Greymouth—a realily progressive and up-to-date laundry, ready and able to assist every housewife in Greymouth with her washing problems. There’s a service to su’t every section of the commun-. ity—Bagwash, Fully Finished and Thrifty, while we specialise in washing and tinting curtains and drapings and laundering blankets and eiderdowns. Prices are most reasonable and the work is first class. Why not give us a trial?—Try our popular No. 2. Thrifty Service, lfllbs. flat work fully finished for only 5/-. ’Phone 136. Depot 27 Albert Street.' The Westland Laundry Ltd—Advt.