LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1945, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Scarlet fever cases notified in the Canterbury health distrct last week totalled 21. There were 11 cases of tuberculosis, three of puerperal sepsis, two of 1 diphtheria, and one each of septic abortion and eclampsia. There was also a fatal case of cere-bro-spinal meningitis. The West Coast health district had a clean sheet for the week.

The New Zealand Council of sport decided, last night, to cable to R. G. Wade, New Zealand representative at the Australian chess tournament in Sydney, congratulating him on his great successes and wishing him continued success in his remaining games. It was also decided to cable to New Zealand Army Rugby players, now assembling in England, wishing them every success in their coming tour. —P.A.

The derailment early this morning, of a waggon on a goods train travelling from Arthur’s Pass to Springfield resulted in the railcar from Christchurch to Greymouth being delayed for about five hours. The derailment occurred between Kowhai Bush and Springfield, and the railcar was held at Springfield while efforts were made to clear the line. However, these were not successful until hours later, and, consequently, the railcar which is due to arrive here at about 6.40 a.m. did not leave Springfield until 8.30 and arrived at 11.24. Passengers for Murchison and .Nelson missed their connections, but travellers to other districts on the Coast were transported by railcar this afternoon.

So far some 450 grade one men in Westland, exclusive of Buller and Westport, who have been held on appeal during the war, have received directions from the Greymouth .’Manpower Officer compelling them to remain in the employment for which they were reserved, and another 150 are to be issued. Certain special industrial categories have been exempted from the issue of directions, but the men mostly concerned are those between 21 and 35 years, single men, and those married with up to two children. All the men directed to remain in their employment, whether essential or otherwise, can leave only with the consent of the Manpower Officer, but may appeal against his decision.

The chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board, Mr. J. B. Kent, and its engineer, Mr. D. S. Kennedy, left this morning for Wellington, where they will endeavour to arrange some method of financing the Board. They will interview Treasury officials on the matter and will also approach the Member for the District, the Minister of Marine, Mr. O’Brien, and will see other Members of Parliament interested. It is hoped that a subsidy of about £20,000 a year will be granted or some other method of finance arranged, and, if the visit proves fruitless, the Board has decided to carry out its threat to resign in a body. While in Wellington, Mr. Kent will also represent the Grey Power Board at a Power Boards’ Conference.

No fewer than 26 vacancies for probationer nurses exist at the Seaview Mental Hospital at Hokitika, the staff shortage which has been so grave for some years having become worse. This is the result of sickness amongst the present staff, marriages, and the return of husbands of nurses from overseas. In order to relieve the position, the Greymouth Manpower Office is at present engaged in an intensive drive to secure nurses. A large number of women from the district will shortly be called to the office for interview, and, on this occasion, will be given an opportunity to volunteer for the work. After that aspect has been exhausted, further action will be taken in regard to the issue of directions.

Harley and Co. are holding* a short notice auction sale to-morrow, at 2 p.m. See front-page advertisement. —Advt.

The necessity for completing the 50-mile rail gap between Glenhope and Inangahua to link up with the South Island network was emphasised at a meeting of the executive of the Nelson - Marlborough - West Coast League of local bodies at Westport. It was decided after discussion that the League urge that as the survey of the Midland line was completed to Murchison the construction of the line to Murchison should be commenced as soon as possible. It was reported to the meeting that the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) had intimated that a report on the completion of the line would be available to Cabinet within a. few weeks. During the discussion it was stated that it was cheaper to send timber from Inangahua to Blenheim via Christchurch than by direct road transport.

Make it a date—Saturday, September 22 for the Grand Benefit Ball at Ngaherc—the Premier Ball of. 1945. —Advt.

“It is all very well for the Minister to say that properties are changing hands every day while returned servicemen are unable to acquire them. These properties are either of a type that the Rehabilitation Department is .not prepared to consider or the prices are higher than the department will .pay,” said a real estate agent in Timaru, when invited to comment on the statement by the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr. Skinner). No one could deny that, compared with six or seven years ago, there were very few properties on the market to-day, he continued. The majority for sale to-day were old houses, and the prices sought were beyond the figure that would be approved. With the acute shortage of accommodation, vacant possession of properties was difficult to secure, and this fact was a deterrent to prospective buyers.

Snappy old favourite song hits, the Rajah of Bhong and the Princess in all their splendour, delightful repartee and clean up-to-date wit and humour in the chain of comedy situations in “A Country Girl.” the locally produced attraction billed for next week at the Regent Theatre. Also matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.—Advt.

Many of the British full-length productions were of a high standard, and it was considered that they were equal to, if not better than, those made in foreign studios, stated the report of the Department of Internal Affairs on the films viewed by the censor in the year ended March 31, 1945. There was also a. marked increase in the number of British films examined, the totals being 49 long features and 497 nonquota or short films, compared with 24 and 450 respectively in the previous year. There were 310 feature films from the United States, one from Australia and one from Russia. During the year, 1560 films of all classes, totalling 3,954,590 ft in length, were ■examined. Of this number, 128 were passed subject to excisions, compared with 102 in the previous year; 93 were passed with recommendations that they were more suitable for adult audiences, and 15 were passed with the .caution that they were unsuitable for .children. Only one appeal was lodged, this being against the censor’s decision .to make a certain elimination in a full-length feature film, but the Board of Appeal, after viewing the picture, disallowed the appeal.

' You must see “A Country Girl” in her moments of joy, then despair, and ultimate happiness. Hilarious comedy situations, delightful scenes, marvellous . frockina, first class choruses and ensembles. Commencing at Regent Theatre, Monday. September 24, and concluding Saturday, September 29. Also matinees Wednesday and Saturday. Be well advised. Book now at the Regent.— Advt.

A sum of £ 134/8/10 has been handed to the Soldiers’ Welfare Fund as a resultof the adults’ and children’s Victory Balls held in the Greymouth Town Hall, recently, according to a report received at the monthly meeting of the Women’s Patriotic Committee.

Last week, 227 places in the Dominion recorded their “quotas” of National. Savings investments, all the cities and larger towns were again successful and in' each of the 20 postal districts the full district quota was reached. With less than six months of the current financial year elapsed, 36 places have already succeeded in reaching their full annual quotas. The meeting of representatives of the timber workers of New Zealand and the N.Z. Sawmillers’ Federation for the purpose of finalising the question of a wet-time clause, the reason for last week’s strike by West Coast timber workers, which was to have been held before the end of this week, has now been arranged to be held at Wellington on Thursday.

Another party of children who were evacuated from the United Kingdom to New Zealand to be safe from the w T ar in Europe will leave ’Wellington by' the liner, Rangitiki, late this month on their return home. There will be about 37 in the party. Forty children left Wellington on August 8, this being the first of the children to go home as a party; and 45 more left Auckland early this month. Over a dozen are to remain in New Zealand till the end o’f the year, so that they may complete educational courses, or sit for examinations, and there are some who will remain in New Zealand in. the expectation that their parents will join them here. The ship which took the group from Auckland was the Ruahine, which coincidentally had brought a number of children out in 1940.—P.A.

As the war has ended, and as the premises are to be sold, the Patriotic Depot in Mackay Street, conducted by the Women’s Branch of the Greymouth Patriotic Society for the past four years, will be closed at the end of this month. This was decided upon at a meeting of the committee yesterday, and. it was decided to donate three tables, two rugs and several chairs, included in the room’s furnishings to the R.S.A., while arrangements were made for the sale of the remaining cupboards etc., in aid of the patriotic funds. Another meeting will be held to finalise the closing of the depot. It was decided that, as woollen garments were still required for navy personnel, other arrangements be made for the issue of wool and the receipt of finished articles, this to be carried out as usual at the depot during the next two weeks.

A sitting of the Westland Land Sales Committee was held at Hokitika yesterday, and consent was given to the following sales: —A. Steel to G. E. B .Honey, corner of Packer’s Quay and O’Grady Street, Blaketown; price £lOOO (subject to a reduction to £975). R .A. White to F. J. Timms, Preston Road, Greymouth; price £ll5O. B. Moss to R. J. Mehrtens, Ward Street, Cobden: price £llO. M,E .Scandrett to Greymouth Fire Board, Ward and Newcastle Streets, Cobden; .price £175. J. J. Kelly, administrator of estate of E. J. Kelly to K. F. O’Brien; price £6OO. M. Armstrong to the Borough of Runanga, section at Dunollie; price £lO. E. Beumelburg, G. Batty and M. J. Keating to W. J. Preston, Short Street, Greymouth (Lagoon Dock area); price £2O. A. H .Arnold to W. McC. Thomson, Totara S.D.; price £lBO. Frank Wall to E. S. Wall, Kanieri; price £2,380. A proposed sale by F. Lamont to H. C. Coleman, Blake Street, Blaketown; price £ 1325, was adjourned for hearing.

The Acting - Postmaster-General (Mr Jones) said, to-day, that it was reasonable to assume that there would be a fair number of Armed Forces personnel overseas at Christmas, and cheap rates of postage would apply again this year to heavier Christmas parcels for these personnel. The rates would be 1/for a parcel not exceeding 31bs, and 2/- for a parcel exceeding 31bs, but not exceeding lllbs. The Minister suggested that, as some addressees might no longer be abroad when the parcels reach their destination, senders might confine the parcels chigfly to edibles and enface the parcel to the effect that, if undelivered, it should be forwarded to a charitable authority, such as a hospital, for disposal. The concession is available as follows:—Britain, the Middle East, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, South America, and the West Indies (from Ist to 31st October), Australia, Fiji and Pacific Islands) (from October 15 to November 15). It was particularly desirable that parcels for the MiddleEast be posted as early as possible.— P.A.

The monthly meeting of the Dobson Women’s Institute was held on Thursday, Mrs Batey presiding over a good attendance. Mrs Lee read the aspirations, after which Mrs Batey welcomed new members and visitors from the Brunner and Stillwater Institutes. In response to an appeal for leper funds it was decided to send £l/1/-. An invitation to a bring-and-buy at the Nurses’ Home was accepted? The agenda for the Council meeting to be held in October was read, the delegates to attend being Mrs J. Hill and Mrs E. Peters. Mrs Batey thanked all members who had helped to make the recent shop-daj z a success, and also thanked Mrs Johnson for a pair of towels, which brought in the sum of £4, and Mrs Lockington for her donation. The wandering 2/- was won by Mrs W. McPhee. A travel talk by Mrs Hill, and the monthly competition had to be postponed because of the arrival of the guests of the evening, FlightLieutenant and Mrs Gordon Meagher, the former ' recently returned from overseas and a . prison camp. Mrs Batey welcomed him and made the usual presentation, also giving shoulder sprays to Mrs Meagher junr., Mrs Meagher senr., and Mrs Benny. Social items were given by Mrs Dobbin, Mrs McPhee and Mrs Eyeington, also Mrs S. Smth and her Maoris. Miss Watson was the accompanist. . Supper was served by Mesdames Lee, Julian, Dunn, and Eder.

Infants’ Dressing Gowns in all wool materials. Tiny collar, front buttoning and. ties, in Saxe and Pink. Sizes to 33m. Priced at 38/6.—C. Smith Ltd.—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. TX Call a , nd see our delightful range of Kiddies’ wear, Frocks and Romper Suits to fit all ages.—C. Smith Ltd.— Advt. ~ “Something came and got me in the Spring! That Spring cleaning rirth cour£G - Well this year, make light of your Spring cleaning—send those curtains, drapings, bankets and eiderdowns to the Westland Launch y. We. specialise in washing and tinting curtains to just the right colour—and you can safely leave .? m ,v? us - 4 n d those blankets and cidei ctowns will receive very expert attention—being washed in Lux. Our modern methods of washing and quick drying help to retain their original softness and fluffiness. Prices are most reasonable. Phone 136. Depot: Sam McAra, Mackav Street. The Westland Laundry Limited.— Advt.