LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 October 1945, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Workers compulsorily directed from their homes are to receive free return second-class rail tickets if given Christmas leave.

A'fire discovered in a washhouse at.tached to the rear of a house in Seddon street, Runanga, occupied by Mr. S. Maskill senr., was quickly extinguished on Saturday night by the neighr ibours, who gave the alarm, and the Fire Brigade which was summoned 'had little to dp. The house was unoccupied. Goods traffic railed through the Otira tunnel from west to east last week amounted to 16,758 tons. This is considerably less than the 18,169 tons .transported to Canterbury from the I West Coast in the corresponding week of last year, but is heavier than the amount of 15,702 tons sent forward a similar period in 1943. In districts where furniture of the necessary standard can be made furniture purchased by former servicemen with a* rehabilitation free-of-interest £lOO loan will have to bear the standard specification mark laid ' down by the New Zealand Standards ! Institute. This will take effect as ' from November 1, according to the • Rehabilitation Department.—P.A.

The New Zealand Government had received an invitation from the United Kingdom Government to be represented at a conference on telecommunications questions which would open at Bermuda on November 19, said the Acting-Postmaster-General (Hon. F. Jones) yesterday morning. New Zealand would be represented by Mr P. N. Cryer and Mr H. W. Curtis, of the Post and Telegraph Department. —P.A.

The general treasurer of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has reported that the budget for the year ended June 30, 1945, has been oversubscribed by £3798. The estimated expenditure was £57,668, and the actual expenditure was £53,055. The total amount received from all sources was £56,853, and the surplus on the year’s working was £3798. The amount required from congregations was £48,863, and the amount received from congregations was £45,760.

The Greymouth Salvation Army' Band, under Bandmaster M. Best, visited Christchurch during the Labour Day week-end, and returned this morning. On Saturday evening they gave a concert in the Sydenham Hall with the Dunedin Salvation Army Band, and they took part in a musical festival in the Linwood Hail on Sunday with Christchurch City, Dunedin, Ashburton, Linwood and Sydenham Bands, while yesterday there was a further musical festival in the Linwood Hall.

The only State coal mine in the Grey district to work yesterday (Labour Day) was the Blackball mine, which normally produces about 90 tons. All the others were idle according to the decision of the men after considering the request by the Mining Controller to assist in alleviating the coal shortage. A number of co-operative mines in the Runanga district worked, however, but a special train arranged to convey Greymouth men to the Runanga district left and returned empty, with the exception of a couple of lampmen for the Rewanui mine.

Although recently a large number of New Zealand service personnel have returned to the Dominion, it will again be necessary to provide patriotic gift parcels for a considerable number of men in Italy and Egypt this Christmas, said Colonel F. Waite, National Patriotic Fund Board Commissioner, in a report to the Boaid. He also refers to the necessity oj: making a further issue of Winter sports To date, he said, 60 sets of Rugby gear, have been issued to units m Italy, and .arrangements have been made. to supply soccer and hockey material, and material for athletics. Eighteen sets of Rugby gear have been issued to troops in Egypt.

After a rough bar had precluded the departure of any vessel during the week, no fewer than five colliers managed to get out of the Greymouth harbour on Sunday morning s tide, while another ship berthed. The de 7 parting ships included the Txaimai, which had been tied up with a full cargo since early in the week, though the absence of a member of the crew at sailing time on several occasions was responsible for her being unable to sail on several tides. The Kaimiro, which arrived on Sunday, will have to wait until to-da/s production of coal from local, mines befoie work can be,commenced, and the Kakapo, which in the meantime is unloading cargo, will have to wait until the Kaimiro has her cargo.

An elderly woman admitted to the W ell'ington Hospital this week was found to have £3625 in bank notes in her possession. The money was ne atly done up in a number of bundles. The patient, because of the state of hei nealth, was unable to say how much she believed the cash amounted to. She was content for the staff responsible for checking patients effects to count the money, which they did under the usual official supervision. The task occupied some time because most of the notes were of a small denomination When the staff expressed astonishment that she should risk having so much cash on her person, she explained that the money represented the proceeds of her farm, and that she intended buying a property in Wellington. In addition to the money she carried with her a satchel of documents and deeds. —P.A.

The biggest transport difficulty experienced at Greymouth each Labour week-end is in returning excursionists to their homes, particularly those from Canterbury, this problem always transcending that of getting the people here, and this week-end was no exception. The Greymouth station was thronged last evening when 'the steam train service which was replacing the rail-car as far as Stillwater, was being filled. All the seats on the double-unit had been booked out some time ago, but - there were still large numbers hoping for last minute cancellations. The rush was worse when the perishable train left. ;This was equipped with four extra carriages, making six in all, and finally accommodated over 300 passengers, though this was much less than the number offering. There were also 32 horses aboard. The overflow travelled by this morning’s express, which resembled an excursion train in many ■aspects, and this was the largest train ,to depart from here ' for some time carrying over 400 passengers in 11 carriages. It was a quarter of an hour date in leaving.

Briggs and Stratton stationary engines for all purposes now in stock. Schaef’s Ltd., Chevrolet dealers.— Advt. Briggs and Stratton engines for saw benches, pumps, lighting plants, etc., now in stock.—Schaef’s Ltd., Herbert Street. —Advt. Children’s Frocks in sprigged Voiles. Full Skirts with ties at back,, collars and cuffs in white organdie. In pale blue, pink or lemon. . Sizes 18in. and 20in. 12/6 each.—C. Smith Ltd.—Advt. | No matter what the occasion Whites have the fashion garment for you. Millinery, too. Whites are specialists in the smartest head wear. Call early and be suited for that special appointment.—White’s Fashion Corner.—Advt.