Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1945, Page 4

Local and General

A crowded meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, tor the puroose of discussing the question of tne size of classes in primary schools, decided to request the central executive to urge on the. Education Department the immediate necessity for a reduction in the size of clasfs. fine point was stressed that a reduction in the size of classes would also help in absorbing teachers returning from overseas service.— P.A.

The restoration of the radio-telephone service, between New Zealand and Australia ana between New Zealand and the United Kingdom as from to-morrow was announced by the Acting-Postmaster-General (Mr. Jones) to-day. The Australian channel will be available for all classes of calls, but in me meantime only business and Press calls can be accepted to the United Kingdom. It is hoped, however, that other calls will be possible shortly.—P.A.

The Minister of Supply and Munitions (Mr. Sullivan) said to-day he had received further indication from abroad of the quality of New Zealand engineering workmanship, this time with particular reference to the repairing of United States naval vessels. A cablegram nad been received from the Bureau of Ships of the United States Navy in Washington, m which the Chief of the Bureal expresses his. appreciation of the uniformly excellent results achieved in ship maintenance in New Zealand. The cablegram states: ‘‘The expeditious completion of important repairs, the high quality of the workmanship, and the excellent co-operation existing between the United States naval activities and the New Zealand Government agencies and civilian contractors is a most useful contribution to shin maintenance in the area.” In addition. P.O United. States Joint Purchasing Board’s liaison officer at Auckland has indicated by letter that our contribution* of ship repairs has resulted in manv expressions of satisfaction being received from the commanding officers of the naval vessels concerned. —P.A.

The • rainfall at Waiuta for the month of August was 10.49 inches on 21 days, with the lowest temperature at 39 degrees. The rainfall for the eight months to August 31 totalled 57.39 inches.

The following have been elected officers of Greymouth Rotary and were installed this month: President, Mr E. R. Moss; Vice President, Rev. T. G. Campbell; Directors, Messrs J. S. Robertson, H. Foster, J. Saunders, A. M. Jamieson and W. D. Taylor; Sergeant at Arms, Mr. F. W. Canter; Secretary, Mr. F. W. Baillie.

The railcar which left Greymouth for Christchurch last evening did not arrive until about 11.30 p.m., one hour late. This was caused by a broken power line on the Canterbury side of Arthur’s Pass, which threw the signalling system out of order, the railcar having to wait until repairs had been carried out.

The future of metropolitan and provincial patriotic activities will be discussed by a full meeting of the National Patriotic Fund Board 'Early next month. The Acting-Secretary (Mr. Gibson) said at Wellington today that until that meeting there could be no definite announcement on policy, but it was obvious some change would probably come shortly. —P.A.

The Agricultural Workers’ Wage Fixation Order, which was gazetted last evening, fixes the minimum rates of wages for agricultural workers employed on dairy farms. Minimum weekly wages are: workers under 17, 35/-; workers aged from 17 to 18, 45/-; from 18 to 19, 55/-; from 19 to 20, 65/-; from 20 to 21, 75/-; and over 21, 85/-. Il board and lodging are not provided, these rates are to be increased by 20/a week. —P.A.

The presentation of the ’Royal Humane Society’s certificate to Alfred Gordon Hales, of Greymouth, will be made at the civic welcome to the returned soldiers in the Greymouth Town Hall on Monday evening next. The certificate was awarded by the Society in recognition of the courage displayed by Hales in rescuing Max Bright and Terence Bourke from drowning at Greymouth on March 12, 1943.

Twenty-one West. Coast members of the Second N.Z.E.F., who have been prisoners of war returned yesterday afternoon. There was a large attendance of relations and citizens at the Greymouth railway station to welcome the men. The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham) and representatives of local bodies, R.S.A., Red Cross and Patriotic Societies were present. The men were taken to their homes in cars, arranged for by the Automobile Association.

Procure your meat on Saturday for Monday’s requirements. Shops close on Monday.—Advt.

“The record of this division is truly remarkable; in my opinion it will last for very many generations, and serve as a spur and an inspiration,” says Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Frey berg, replying to a message of congratulations from the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) to the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force on the occasion of the Allied victory. “Your pride in our achievements is a source of great satisfaction to us all,” continues General Freyberg. “We realise that the doinss of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. are only part of the New Zealand war effort, and that great work has been done by the other services.” —P.A.

You can waltz £lO your way at Brunner League Club’s Ball to-mor-row (Saturday) night.—Advt. In contrast to the position disclosed in 1941 when there were 2339 cases in which social security benefits were obtained in excess of scale rates, the report of the Controller and Auditor-General presented to the House .stated that the number of cases in 1942 in which recipients of pensions, sustenance, age, and other benefits obtained payment in excess of scale rates by failing to disclose material particulars was 116. This involved a total of £1946. The amount involved in 1941 was £254,444. In connection with medical benefits, the Au-ditor-General stated that his officers had satisfied themselves that revision of patients’ lists, which determine the amount of fees jeayable from the fund to medical practitioners giving services on a capitation basis, had been satisfactorily maintained.

The disbandment of the Industrial Emergency Council was announced to-day by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). He said it had been one of the most important councils established to promote the war effort. Altogether 102 orders were issued and in every case unanimously endorsed by the Council. Mr. Fraser paid a tribute to workers’ organisations which had co-operated to relax provisions ■■ in their awards and agreements and extended the Government’s warmest thanks to all members of the Council for their services, which had been given in an entirely honorary capacity.. Mr. Fra&er especially mentioned Mr. T. O. Bishop who acted as chairman of the Council in the absence of the Minister of Labour (Mr. Webb). His long experience in industrial matters had contributed greatly to the valuable work performed by the Council. —P.A. All West Coast butchers’ shops will be closed on Monday next, September 10, to enable Master Butchers to attend a meeting for the purpose of discussing vital matters relating to the retail trade.—Advt.

Failing an assurance that a tribunal will be set up by September 9 to discuss matters in dispute between the Auckland Omnibus Proprietors’ Association and the Auckland Drivers’ Union, all buses will cease to operate in Auckland after the completion of the last shift next Sunday. A resolution to this effect was passed at a stop-work meeting of the union yesterday morning. A report of an interview he had had with the ActingMinister of Labour (Mr. O’Brien) in Wellington was presented to the meeting by the organiser (Mr. F. D. Muller). Previous negotiations with the employers, and a partial settlement which had been reached were also reported on. Skeleton services were maintained by the various companies for the duration of the meeting, and normal runs were resumed shortly after .1 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Buses were driven by the inspectors of the companies.—P.A.

£lO can be won in Brunner League Club’s Waltzing Competition to-morrow (Saturday) night.—Advt.

Spring is at White’s. Each window reveals a Fashion Display for Spring, showing new lines, new colours, new ideas. We invite you to view our windows and showroom, White’s Fashion Corner.—Advt.

Confidence means a big thing in business, but it’s a quality which comes only from service. Three years of faithful service to the people of Greymouth have won the Westland Laundry the confidence of hundreds of housewives. The high standard of our work is our greatest advertisement. Our charges are designed to meet the requirements of everyone, and there’s a service to meet every section of the community—Bagwash, Fully Finished, and Thrifty. All laundry is hygienically washed and sterilised in seven different waters, and all water is passed through a special Zeolite water softener, 'which removes all hardness and impurities. Only the best quality laundry soap is used, while Lux chips are used to wash blankets and woollens. Give us a trial. ’Phone 136. Depot: Sam McAra, Mackay Street. The Westland Laundry Limited.—Advt.