Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1945, Page 4

Local and General

The Liverpool State mine was idle to-day because of a dispute over the employment oi a bins supervisor.

Further lists of Malayan volunteers who have been reported fit in Thailand, and civilians and prisoners of war who hare died in camp in Thailand and Malaya, have, been received by the Red Cress and may be ? een a<the office of the “Greymouth Evening Star.

Auckland ferry masters were giyen valuable assistance in this morning’s thick fog by electrically operated fog whistles installed by the Harbour Board at the request of the ferry company. Fog set in at 3.40 and the port was closed, at 4.48 a.m. It was not reopened until 7.46. The flying-boat Awarua did not leave till 9 a.m., two hours behind schedule.—P.A.

The Buller Miners’ Central Committee, at a recent meeting, decided to recommend to the Government that it nationalise all' coal mines in the Dominion.

The Air Travel, plane which left Hokitika for the north this morning turned back from Westport because of unfavourable weather conditions and was later cancelled.

The view that New Zealanders did not even now fully realise the extent of shortages, especially of foodstuffs, in England, was expressed by a number of ex-prisoners who returned in the draft last week, says 'the “New Zealand Herald.’’ Foi - all practical purposes, they stated, English people had absolutely nothing. They lived from hand to mouth, and food was so short that it was possible to eat a meal in three restaurants consecutively and still feel hungry. Prohibitive prices were charged for luxury lines, as was instanced by 8/6 for a small peach. f

The possibility, of bringing to a business and economic basis the topdressing of hill country by aeroplane is being investigated by the Massey Agricultural College, said the princioal, Professor G. S. Peren, in New Plymouth last evening. The matter bristled with difficulties, Professor Peren said, but it was one that in the interests of the country must be explored thoroughly. He thought the problem could be solved, but the cost would be the deciding factor. New Zealand would have to avail itself of every possible mechanical means to overcome the shortage of labour, and the use of aircraft for this purpose might be made practicable.—P.A.

When /the Marine Department’s suction dredge Eileen Ward sheered on to the eastern training wall in the Buller River on Monday, when attempting to swing, after having dumped her load at sea, a' fair-sized hole was ripped in the bottom of the vessel and it was necessary to run it ashore- in the floating basin at the end of the Westport wharf. At low tide yesterday the bow of the dredge was well clear of the water, but the damage is not considered serious, and it will not be difficult to tow the dredge clear for repairs. The dredge had been working on the bar, and after unloading was swinging to resume dredging when the mishap occurred. —P.A.

Striking a cow at Hou-Hou, the Christchurch - Greymouth - Hokitika goods train was considerably delayed yesterday morning, some time being spent in an endeavour to extricate the carcass from the bogey wheels. The train was slowing down at the station when the cow standing by the line suddenly crossed in front of the engine and caught up under the cowcatcher. The train was about one and a quarter hours late in arriving at Hokitika, and passengers by the railcar following the train had to be transported by road to their destination, but the car was not long delayed and other services were uninterrupted.

Claiming that the new fertiliser ration has meant a serious reduction in the allowance to West Coast farmers, the West Coast Council of Primary Production and the branch of the Farmers’ Union have made representations to the Minister of Agriculture. Farmers are concerned about the abolition of the allocation of one cwt. of fertiliser per cow to dairy farmers and the institution of an increase in the ordinary top-dressing ration, as this in some cases would mean a reduction by 75 per cent., and 50 per cent, in the aggregate. The organisation acting for the farmers have presumed that the Minister, when announcing the “increase.” was not aware of the position in Westland.

To-night is the night for the greatest concert yet produced at the Regent Theatre. —Aavc.

At a meeting of the Westland Health Camp Committee this week to arrange for the sale of Health Stamps and to reorganise the executive, members of the Hospital Board who were present indicated that the Board intended to relinquish its executive control and suggested that control should be given to oersonnel directly interested. The nucleus of a district executive was elected as follows:- —Secretary, Mrs. E. Parfitt (pro. tern.); treasurer, Mr. F. Mairs: executive, Miss Stewart (District Health Nurse), Miss Williams (Child Welfare), Mesdames F. A. ’Kitchingham and Evans (local area committee), the representatives of the Crippled Children’s Society, and the Hospital Board to be elected. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. J. E. A. McKeefry for carrying on the local work for the last nine years.

Act quickly! While stocks are available. Come in and see the bargains. Buy now. These values are unbeatable anywhere.—Robert Anderson, Ltd,. Mackay Street, Greymouth. —Advt,

An application by E. Rosewall for permission to sell to W. C. and A. S. Wright his shop in Tainui Street, Greymouth, at a price of £2750 was further considered by the Westland Land Sales Committee at Hokitika on Monday, and was adojurned for further hearing at Greymouth on Friday. Consent was granted in the fol-lowing-cases: J. Manera to H. E. J. Manera, Waitaha S.D. —Price £3OOO, including a Crown leasehold (subject to reduction to £2450). J. A. Roberts to J. M. S. M. Johnstone, Spencer St., Hokitika.—Price £1250 (subject to reduction to £1220). A. F. Breeze to J. S. G. Diedrichs, Hokitika. —Price £775. A. Boote, jnr., to R. E. Laing, Dunollie, —Price £22. J. F. McDougall to E. J. H. Wheeler, Stafford St., Hokitika. —Price £7O. Business is booming! And no wonder with all the bargains offering at our “Time to Quit” Sale. See foi' yourself.—Robert Anderson, Ltd. Mackay Street, Greymouth.—Advt.

Morning temperatures this week have been highei' than any at the same time during the whole month, this morning being the warmest 47 degrees having been recorded at 9 a.m. The temperature yesterday and on Monday morning was only a single and two degrees colder. However, the barometer has gradually declined from 1026 milibars at the week-end to 999.7 this morning when the first fall of rain of any size for the past week (41 points) was recorded. ,So far this month there have been 15 Cine and 10 wet days, and the total rainfall for the year is 63.56 inches, still considerably smaller than the amount which had been recorded to July 25, 1944, 72 inches. The rainfall for the month has been slightly in excess of six inches compared with 7.13 in the corresponding part of last July. ■ Hurry along! There’s a bargain for you. Whatever your “want” you 1) find it here. “Time to Quit” Sale now in full swing.—Robert Anderson. Ltd., Mackay St., Greymouth.—Advt.

A. Coat at your own price. Whatever you wish to pay there’s a Coat to suit you. here. Time to Quit prices from 79/6.—Robert Anderson, Ltd. Mackay St., Greymouth.—Advt. Garden lovers and general public are to be given monthly lectures by noted horticulturists. The success of this innovation will mainly depend on the measure of support given by the public. The first lecture will be delivered by Dr. McKay in the Grey Main School on Thursday at ,7.45 p.m.—Advt. .

Ladies! What you have waited for is here. White’s Big Winter Fashion Sale. Hundreds of smart Garments to be sold at a big discount. —White’s Fashion Corner.—Advt.