Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1945, Page 4

Local and General

Figures showing the number of Army personnel returning to New Zealand from overseas since V.J. Day (August 15) were supplied to-day by the Minister of Defence. The total figure is 6018. Details are as follow: Middle East: Men 3763, women 24, total 3787. United Kingdom, 2174—1—2175. Australia, 12—0—12. 'Fiji, 38—0—38. Other Pacific stations, 6—o—6. Grand total, 6018. Within the near future another 5708 personnel are due to arrive, made up as follow: On September 18, per hospital ship Empire Clyde from Middle East: Men 257. women 10, total 267. In early October per Strathmore from Middle East, 3939—38—3977. Early, in October per Dominion Monarch from Middle East (859) and United Kingdom (605) —0 ; —1464. Grand total. 5708. Following are particulars of personnel in New Zealand who have been demobilised since V.J. Day: Sixteenth Reinforcements: Demobilised, 3583; retained to replace married men with families, men with long service, and men in high industrial priority groups, 904. Number still under action, 117? In the home service 1242 men and 151 W.A.A.C.’s have been demobilised, making the grand total of the 16th Reinforcements and home service demobilised 4976.—P.A.

The Prime Minister has received the following telegram from General and Lady Freyberg in acknowledgement of his own message of congratulations at the time of the announcement of the appointment of General Freyberg as Governor-General: “The warm welcome in your cablegram and your most generous, handsome tribute in Parliament ha'' 7 ? moved us both. We feel all you have written and said about us in Parliament is as much a tribute to the great force which I have had the honour to lead during these difficult years. Now that complete victory has been won, much can and ought to be said about their magnificent achievements. No force could have achieved what this force has, exceot for the valour, endurance and intelligence of the officers and men, and no division could have gone on fighting for five and a half years but for the help and great and neverfailing support we received from New Zealand. " In the dark days we were inspired by the unfailing encouragement which was given us. No commander has been helped and supported as I have been. May I say how untrained I feel for the work that lies ahead. I will do all I can to serve my country in this new field. I will endeavour to follow in the footsteps of my distinguished predecessor, Sir C. Newall.”—P.A. .

The premises of R. and E. Tingey and Co. Ltd., in Mackay Street, Greymouth, were entered on Saturday night last by unauthorised persons, but it was stated to- day that nothing was stolen.

The non-production of timber last week as the result of a strike of the men, was reflected in the transport of goods from the West. Coast to Canterbury last week, when 18,469 tons went forward. At the same time last year 21,069 tons were transhipped, while in the corresponding week of the previous year 17,709 tons were railed.

The dispute between the growers and Wellington auctioneers regarding the charge "of commission on containers has been settled. Six out of seven markets were boycotted by the growers last week, because the auctioneers refused to cease charging commission. Negotiations have resulted in the dropping of the charge. The settlement affects only Wellington.—P.A.

A drowning fatality was narrowly averted- in Ward Street, Cobden,' on Saturday morning, when the four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Pascoe, of Ward Street, fell into an open drain on the street. The drain, of which there are a number of a similar tyoe in Cobden, is about three feet deep and two feet wide, and it was full of water following the heavy rain. Fortunately an older child pulled the youngster out quickly and he suffered little ill effect.

The freshes which have regularly occurred each week-end for the past month or so have had a beneficial effect on the Greymouth bar, and soundings taken to-day by the Harbourmaster, Captain H. Moar, revealed that there was nothing less than 17ft. of water at low water on the bar for some 2,000 ft. out. This gives a high water depth of 27 or 28ft. The bar has been swept away by the repeated freshes and the entrance at the moment has returned to its natural state, said the Harbourmaster this afternoon.

After being bar-bound since Saturday, the Kaimai was ready to sail this morning with a cargo of coal for /Auckland, but was prevented from sailing because a member of the crew needed medical attention. A substitute was not 'immediately available ■and the men declined to take the vessel to sea short handed. However, it is expected that she will sail on this evening’s tide. The Karu, which was due to-night with general cargo possibly including tobacco, has been delayed by rain at Wellington and now cannot arrive before to-morrow night. The production of coal is holding up the Poolta, which was unable to commence work until this afternoon, and the Kiwitea, which arrived on Saturday, will have to wait until after the Poolta has completed before obtaining a supply of coal. Mr. G. A. Hayden, secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, has I returned from a visit overseas on board business. “If people could see the plight of people on the Continent they would appreciate more fully how absolutely necessary was their recent effort to collect clothing for UNRRA," he said. He had seen something of the terrific problems in Denmark, Germany. and Belgium. An important part of his work overseas was to look into the realisation of the board’s assets. Arrangements have been completed so that money spent on them could be used again lor post-war patriotic welfare work for New Zealand service personnel and their dependants. Complete arrangements have been made to supply comforts for returning personnel on board ship and for entertainment at ports of call. — P.A.

Hits of the Day will be the feature of the Adelphi Dance Band at Ngahere’s Grand Benefit Ball on Saturday, September 22.—Advt. For the first time in five years, the Chief Post Office, Greymouth, has issued an advice to residents of the district in connection with the posting of Christmas mail for overseas, this service having to be postponed during the war in order that the enemy might not obtain information as to the likely date of the departure from New Zealand of ’planes and ships. The office advises that, in order to reach members of the forces overseas in' time for Christmas, surface letters, parcels and newspapers should be dispatched by the' following dates, the time for air mail letters being in parentheses: United Kingdom, Sept 30 (Nov. 25), civilians Oct. 15, (Nov. 30); Middle East, Africa, India, South East Asia Command, etc.. Sept. 30 (Nov. 25), civilians Oct. 15 (Nov. 30); Canada and other parts of North and South America and West Indies, Oct. 31 (Nov. 30), civilians Oct. 31, (Nov. 30); Australia, Fiji and Pacific Islands Nov. 15, (Nov. 30); civilians, Nov. 15 and 25, (Dec. 10).

You must see “A Country Girl,” a frolicsome comedy, set to tauntingly pretty music, the familiar airs belonging to which are fresh and delightful. Make your reservations now at the Regent Theatre. Six nights and two’ matinees, starting on Monday, Sept. 24 and concluding on Sat. Sept. 29. — Advt. Whites are showing a very smart selection of Spring Millinery. Hundreds of Hats from which to choose and every one outstandingly smart — White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre. —Advt. Call and see our delightful range of Kiddies’ wear, Frocks and Romper Suits to fit all ages.—C. Smith Ltd. — Advt. Rain gauge recovered. This was a serious loss for the Harbour Board and would undoubtedly upset the calculations for the average rainfall, if it had not been recovered. On speaking to several Greymouth housewives about the loss, they stated that the rainfall no longer worried them like it did in the past due to the fact that Greymouth had a most modern laundry, which catered for their needs.—Westland Laundry, Ltd. ’Phone 136. Depot: Sam McAra.—Advt.