Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1945, Page 4

Local and General

The Acting-Prime Minister (Mr. Nash) has received the following message Horn Lord and Lady Bledisloe. "On Victory Day we send New Zealand our affectionate greings and cordial congratulations on her incomparable achievements m the long and exacting war with Germany. Kia ora. —- P.A.

Because of his many engagements Mi. Churchill has postponed his broadcast to the nation. He will now speak at 1900 houis Greenwich mean time (7 a.m. New Zealand time) next Sunday. Mr. Churchill s decision was not the result of any change in the war situation or because he is expected to have any exceptional news to tell. The simple explanation is that he has been so busy that he has had no time to prepare a broadcast which will survey in some detail war and peace considerations. He feels also that the public after two days’ rather exhaustingcelebrations will be in a more receptive mood on Sunday.—B.O.W. An alteration to the definition of F.A.Q. made of potatoes to take effect immediately and to apply for the balance of the season, was announced to-day by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Roberts). “With very unfavourable weather conditions in the past few months,” said Mr. Roberts, “the quantity of potatoes available for delivery to the Allied forces now falls considerably short of their requirements. On the other hand, the conditions have been such that the yield of potatoes of recognised seed .size is higher than normal. As a war measure, therefore, and in order to utilise as far as possible the foodstuffs which have been produced, it has been decided to reduce the minimum size-of potatoes permissible in F.A.Q. grade. The normal rule in this respect in the past has been to allow a maximum of 15 per cent, (by numbers) of tubers which would pass through a two-inch square, but in order to: meet the present exigencies it has been de- | cided to reduce the size of the square to one and three-quarter inches, still allowing the maximum of 15 tubers in each 100 of a size which would pass through this smaller] square. It is trusted that farmers will take I advantage of this amendment when grading! their crops, particularly in . the case of those crops which are mot qualified for Government certification, the tubers from which are not in demand for seed purposes.”—P.A.

“That used to be the trouble, but New Zealand beer has since become civilised,” said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., during the hearing of a case in the Auckland Police Court. Mr. Luxford was replying to the plea of a counsel who said that the trouble with his client was that, like other overseas sailors, he had found the New Zealand beer too strong.

“As I opened the door a gentleman considerably the worse for liquor—” began a witness in the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court. Mr. J. H. Salmon. S.M.: “Just a moment, a person much the worse for liquor cannot be described as a gentleman. Witness amended his description, and proceeded to describe “defendant s actions.

An outbreak of fire at Kumara early this morning, totally destroyed a.sixroomed dwelling owned by the Education Board, and tenanted by tre headmaster of the school (Mr. T. Kelly). The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire which was first noticed at 4.30 a.m. by Mr. M. Neville. The brigade was quickly summoned but little could be done, as the fire which had broken out in the front rooms, fanned by a strong breeze had enveloped the entire building. The brigade took mea_sures to prevent a spread to nearby school buildings and the fire burned itself out.

At the Nelson competitions Mr. W. Richmond, of Runanga won the tenor solo with 80 points, four points ahead of the second competitor. Audrey Nott (Greymouth) won the character dance, 12 years and over and was second in the classical dance, the eastern dance (barefoot), and the character story dance. Shona McAra, aged 10, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. McAra, Greymouth had much success at the Nelson competitions. Competing in nine events for the class under, 12 years, she secured first place in five events and second place in the remaining four.

Work on the Grey waterfront resumed this morning, but one vessel, the Kaimiro, is idle while the Kartigi uses both large cranes to complete her Westport coal cargo. This delay seems to nullify to a certain degree the advantage thought to be gained by sending Westport shipping to Greymouth to take a lull cargo instead of restricted loads as made necessary by the shallow state of the Westport bar, as the actual transmission of coal to the North Island will probably be retarded rather than expedited if normal Greymouth shipping has to remain idle waiting for the cranes. The Gabriella is loading timber and is not affected.

The discovery of an old bottle containing a yellowed parchment in the sands at Kairakau, neai’ Otane, has been made by a Maori woman. The parchment bears the date 1862 and purports to be the last will and testament of one Roger Kennedy. It contains the provision that the finder of the bottle shall be the sole beneficiary of Kennedy’s estate. The latitude of 19 degrees and longitude of 22 degrees, given on the document, indicate that the bottle was cast into the sea in the South Atlantic. The sand and tides have worn the bottle thin. The parchment is to be lodged with a Hastings solicitor for further investigation.

Figures showing the large quantities of foodstuffs consumed by the travelling public in the course of a year at only one station in the New Zealand Railways system were given by the manager of the Palmerston North refreshment rooms, Mr. W. J. Meadows. During 1944-45, 76,101 pies were sold, for which 6 tons 7 cwt. of minced meat was required. In the same period 3i tons of butter, 4 2 tons of ham, U tons of corned beef, 5500 gallons of milk and 9200 four-pound loaves of bread were consumed. Behind these figures lies the story of a difficult job ' well done by the staff of girls who serve the refreshments.

The Greymouth W.I. held the monthly meeting in the Lyceum Hall. Mrs Kilpatrick presided over a good attendance. It was decided to hold a social afternoon in aid of parcels for soldiers. Mrs Turner, who was delegate to the Council meeting, read her report. A letter was received from a serviceman in Italy, who had received one of the W.I. parcels. One scarf and one pullover were handed in. The mystery parcel winner was Mrs Green. Competition winners:— Bloom: Mrs Green 1, Miss Prendergast 2. Three blooms: Miss Prendergast 1. Odds and ends of wool: Mrs Johnson 1, Mrs Tjllyshort 2. Bottled pears: Mrs Green 1, Miss Prendergast 2. Sympathy was expressed to Mrs Timlin in the loss of her son. Hostesses were Mesdames Green, Pound, Taylor, and Miss Prendergast.

The question whether a man who has elected to be dealt with by a jury can change his election and be dealt with summarily was settled when Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., delivered judgment in such a case in the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington. The accused, who was charged with stealing three crates of beer valued at £5 15/6, was allowed to change his election, and the case was proceeded with before Mr. Stilwell, who reserved his decision on the point. “There seems no direct authority on the point, but I see no reason in these circumstances why the court may not in its discretion allow the accused, on his application, to abandon his right of trial by jury and proceed with the hearing in a summary manner,” said Mr. Stilwell in his judgment. “It may well be that if there is any question of conduct indicative of abuse of the procedure of the court or other good reason the change should not be permitted. Here the circumstances are favourable to the course suggested—the value involved is small, the administration of justice will be expedited, and the country saved expense.”

Fashions from White’s are always right. Now showing a splendid display of Suits, Fur Coats and Tweed Coats. White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre. —Advt.

Ladies’ Housecoats in all wool velours. Buttoned to hem, with revers and tie belt. Colours, Scarlet, Saxe, Rust, Green and Rose. Sizes S.W. and W. From 82/6. C. Smith. Ltd.—l.