Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 October 1945, Page 4

Local and General

Mr. McLagan announced, tq-day, that students and teachers would not be subject to comnulsory manpower direction during The Christmas holidays this year. They W0 b® free to nlease themselves whether or not th_./ accepted employment during the vacation. There would definitely be no direction, but nlenty of seasonal work was available, and as much assistance from students as. possible would be welcomed. Students desiring holiday work should discuss the matter with the local manpower officer, who would be pleased to help them obtain suitable holiday; work, m put them in touch with districts wnere such work was available. —P.A.

The full restoration of permits both for trotting and racing has now been granted by the Government. Announcing this, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) said tnat the position had been kept under steady review since the cessation of hostilities, and circumstances now allowed full restoration. However, he emphasised that it was still necessary to limit racing permits to Saturdays and statutory holidays. The ful number of permits for both racing and trotting is 320. During the war a5O per cent, cut operated, leaving 160 permits, but the recent relaxation announced by Mr. Parry brought the total to 220. The relaxation announced to-day will make available another 100 permits. P.A.

A State luncheon in honour of New Zealand winners of ‘ the Victoria Cross in the 1939-45 war is to be held at House next Thursday. Seven Victoria Crosses were awarded to New Zealand service p rsonnel. They went to Sergeant Pilot J. A. Ward, Wanganui, who afterwards lost his life on active service; Captain C. H. upnam, Christchurch, who recently was awarded a.. Bar to his Cross; Sergeant A. C. Huime, Richmond, Nelson; Sergeant J.. D. Hinton, Colac Bay, Southland; becond-Lieutenant K. Elliot, Mangamaire, Pahiatua; Second-Lieu-tenant Moana-nui-a-kiwa Ngarimu, Ruatoria, whose Cross was awarded posthumously, and to Flying Officer L, A. Trigg, North Auckland, whose award was also made posthumously. The four who are living have returned to New Zealand.—P.A.

FromT October 15 to 27 new ration • books will be issued to the public on application, at Post Offices and at special issuing offices in the main centres. The procedure will differ little from last year’s. The loading of the Blue Star Line freighter, Empire Falkland, ; which had been idle since Monday, resumed ■ this morning, following a .special meeting of the Watersiders’- -Union; An official of, the Union said'the decision was made on the' understand- , ing that the Waterfront Control Com- ’ mission would reopen.its investigation of the dispute as promised.—P.A. The Otira Gorge Road is reported to be still blocked, snow falling heavily to-day in that area as far as Cass. A grader was working along the road, but the Automobile Association advises that if motorists wish to .take that route they must use chains. Lewis Pass is still open, but chains are necessary. • . i

The railcar from Greymouth to Christchurch was 40 minutes late in arriving at its destination last evening, having been held up at Otira for some time. A goods train • proceeding through the Otira tunnel about 7 p.m. found its load too great for the grade and had to double-bank, making two trips. This took some time, and the railcar could not proceed until this operation had been completed. The lessee of the Albion Hotel, Greymouth, Mr. D. R. Dowell, has completed negotiations for the purchase of the freehold of the premises from the owners, the Te Kinga Land and Timber Company. The details of the sale have yet to be approved by the Westland Land Sales Committee. Mrs. M. Bradshaw, who has conducted the Club Hotel, Greymouth, for many years, has leased the premises to Mr. John Forrest, of Runanga, who will assume control next month.

The foreign policy of the British Government was discussed at a meeting of the Otago Trades Council, which-resolved to forward a resolution to headquarters stating that die council viewed with apprehenn me Ldbi'upiiveness of the'British Government’s foreign policy, which appeared to be dominated by . finance and capitalism, forcing it. to continue an imperial policy, which would end in inevitable disaster. The council urged the Federation of Labour to make the strongest pos 7 sible protest through the New .Zealand Government against a “suicidal policy, completely ignoring the selfdetermination of peoples set out in the Atlantic Charter.”—P.A.

A fire at Hokitika early this morning destroyed a five-roomed house in Tancred Street, owned and occupied by a middle-aged woman, Miss Schott, who for the past few weeks has been a patient in the Westland Hospital, the house having been unoccupied during that time. The house, which is at the rear of the Regent Theatre, burst into flames about 3 a.m. when the alarm was given but the house being old burnt fiercely and the fire brigade was unable to do much except endeavour to keep the flames from spreading. The back of the Regent Theatre was scorched and the plaster burnt off. The house and the whole of the furnishings were a total loss, but no details of insurance were available this morning.

The trade training section of the Greymouth Rehabilitation Department has increased its activity of late, particularly with the revival of apprenticeships, and there is also a growing demand for all types of educational assistance, stated the report of the Rehabilitation Officer, Mr. F. A. Hutton, for the month of September. In Greymouth three furniture loans totalling £3OO have been recommended, four . housing Joans. ( £2800) and three business loans. At, Hokitika, a loan of £3193. for the purchase of a farm has been recommended, and also four furniture loans (£400) and three business loans. During this week, two business loans and three housing loans have been recommended in Greymouth.

At a meeting of the Greymouth Sub-Centre of the Red Cross Society, Mr A. J. Fairmaid presided over .an attendance of 20 members.. Advice was received that Miss H. Iris Crooks, Director-General of Voluntary Aids will visit Greymouth between October 10 and October 15. It was decided that the annual street appeal be made on November 30 in aid of general funds. It was reported that £.lO was to be handed to the sub-centre as proceeds of a competition conducted by McKenzie’s department stores and a vote of thanks was- accorded the firm. It was decided to donate £3/3/- to the Leper Fund. Votes of thanks were passed to Miss K. McDonald for making dressing gowns and to Mrs. Adamson for knitted goods for competitions.

“We welcome the statement by the New Zealand Returned Services Association that it is a non-political organisation and also that it dissociates itself from our organisation,” said the Services Political Association, in a statement last night. “As many of our members are actively connected with the Returned Services Association we do not wish to infer any alliance either of organisation or principle. Whereas the Returned Services Association exists to further sectional interests of returned servicemen, the new organisation has been founded primarily to awaken among ex-service personnel a sense of political consciousness. Its members will be afforded the opportunity to study and examine current political thought and express their opinions fearlessly on all major political issues, in the common interest, and on a wider basis than the constitution of the Returned Services Association permits.”—P.A.

The downpour experienced. at Greymouth yesterday and last night was not confined to the district, heavy falls being recorded in most parts of the West Coast. This was indicated by the run of 5 knots in the Grey River this morning, and this might increase if warmer weather melts the freshly fallen snow in the foothills up the Grey Valley. Up to 9 o’clock this morning, 2.30 inches of rain fell at Greymouth, bringing the total for the year so far to 91.05 inches.. Held up by bar conditions yesterday, the Kaimai with coal for Wellington was prevented from departing this morning; when there was only a m derate sea on the bar, by the run in the.river, this preventing her from . swinging away from the wharf. It is. possible .that the river conditions will interfere with shipping operations over the week-end, during which about three colliers are due here.

Briggs and Stratton stationary engines for all purposes now in stock. Schaef’s Ltd., Chevrolet dealers. — Advt.

Census returns! The all-important night of September 25 has now passed, and no doubt some interesting statistics will be formed in due cource. Why not take a census of your feeling after wash-day, or are you too tired even’to think. ’ The weekly family wash is hard work for even the strongest woman. Why not take things easily and send all your washing to the Westland Laundry. Costs are very reasonable and our work is perfect in every detail. Use the service which suits you best — Bagwash, Fully Finished or Thrifty. ’Phone 136. Depot, Sam McAra, Mackay Street. The Westland Laundry Ltd.—Advt. /