Local and General

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 October 1945, Page 4

Local and General

Explosions at more frequent intervals, accompanied by strong ash clouds to the northeast, were reported from Mount Ruapehu to the Geological Institute, to-day.—P.A. Last week 236 towns attained their quotas of National Savings, 11 more than in the preceding week and the highest number recorded for several weeks. All the principal centres were again successful and in each case the full district quota was attained. In the Greymouth, Oamaru and Westport postal districts, each town recorded the attainment of its individual quota. Thirty-one West Coast soldiers, sailors and airmen returned home ’ yesterday afternoon after service Fifteen of the men left the express at Stillwater and entrained for Westport, and the remaining 16 proceeded to Greymouth and Hokitika. The men were welcomed by a large crowd at the Greymouth station and were transported home by cars provided by the Automobile Association. Members of the Borough Council, Red Cross and Patriotic Society and the R.S.A. were present and extended an informal welcome tc. the men. Members in the party who had not been previously mentioned were Pte. H. Hearn, of South Beach, Pte. Waltham, of Dobson, and Mr. S. R. Wallace, who had been a civilian prisoner in Japanese hands. Pte. A. Ellery, who had been a prisoner of war m Germany for a number of years, arrived by this morning’s railcar from Christchurch.

Up to the closer of business lat 9 p.m. yesterday, 5,200 of the new ration books had been issued at the Chief Post Office, Greymouth,; leaving approximately 5,000 still |to be issued. The new books.are required for use next week. Most of the books have so far been issued during the day, and the staff of five on duty last evening dealt with only 2001 books, about one-fifth of their capacity, No work has yet been commenced on the remodelling of Schaef’s' Hall in Mackay Street in order to change it from a dance-hall to offices:'for the Land and Income Tax Department, though it is almost two months since the property was acquired i by the Government. In the meantime, however, plans for the work have been in course of preparation, and they were expected to be ready this week. Tenders will be called shortly for the alteration work, which will be extensive, and for the lighting and heating of the offices.

The Matron, Miss Moffat, at last evening’s meeting of the Grey Hospital Board extended thanks to the following: Foi’ flowers, Misses M. and B. Craig, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Martin, Miss Cunliffe and members of the Presbyterian Sunday School. For magazines: Mrs. Lowes and to the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary 'Union for entertaining patients in the Old People’s Home. Special thanks were extended to members of the Greymouth Operatic Society for entertaining the hospital patients and the inmates of the Old People’s Home.

“Like it or not—and most managements deplore it, while feeling a sense of helplessness and frustration in having been unable to effect an improvement—there has been a deterioration in shop manners in recent years,” states an editorial in the “New Zealand Draper and Allied Retailer.” More obvious in some stores than in others, the deterioration was apparent in several ways. It showed itself in a disinclination on the part of assistants to take a quick and intelligent interest in the wants of customers, and a too ready answer that goods inquired for were not in stock.

That there were only two anti-air-craft guns in the whole .of New Zealand at the time when this country was in danger of a Japanese invasion was revealed by Mr. Kelvin Cuff, a member of a scientific team attached to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research during the war, in an address to the Auckland Creditmen’s Club. “The position at that time was practically impossible, and with only two guns we did not know where to put them to give the best advantage,” said Mr. Cuifi “With a coast line the length of ours, any attempt to have used ’them for protection would have been hopeless.”—PA. Thirty members of the Greymouth Municipal Band visited the Franz Josef Glacier during Labour weekend, leaving Greymouth on Saturday afternoon and returning on Monday. On Sunday evening the band, assisted by members of the Hokitika Revue Company, gave a concert in the Thompson Memorial Hall, which was packed out, items also being given by Mr. W. B. Hutton, who accompanied the band on its trip. Some 28 members of the West Coast Alpine Club also visited the glaciers, leaving Greymouth by special bus on Saturday and returning early Tuesday morning. Four Greymouth women were medically examined last evening and another four were selected for examination, to-day, all having . been considered suitable for direction to the Mental Hospital at Hokitika as probationer nurses. Those who are graded as fit for the work will be issued with directions by the Greymouth Manpower Office, which has been making a prolonged effort to alleviate the drastic staff shortage at the institution. Two Hokitika women have also been instructed to undergo medical examination and one at Reefton will also be examined. Even if the Department is successful in placing the 11 women at the Hospital, it will still be 21 nurses short.

Mass will be celebrated on next. Sunday, October 28, at Paroa 8.30 a.m., Moana 10.30 a.m.—-Advt. The Commissioner of Transport (Mr. G. L. Laurenson) has intimated that the issue of number plates on the registration of motor vehicles, suspended during the war years, will be renewed next year, according to information given to the executive of the South Island Motor Union last evening. The Automobile Association (Nelson) reported adversely on the quality of the registration transfers for windscreens. Of 148 examined in Wellington 75 were defective, as also were 34 out of 63 examined in Christchurch. Most of the transfers, it was considered, would be illegible by the end of the registration year. The association added that faulty application of transfers could not be blamed entirely, because Automobile Association transfers on the cars inspected were in good condition.

Decisions have been announced on the applications made to the Manpower Department, Greymouth, dur-, ing the past months (since the end of hostilities in the Pacific) by servicemen, soldiers, sailors and airmen, both overseas and in the Dominion, for their release from the services on the grounds that they were required in certain high priority civilian occupations. The release of three naval men had been approved, while for the only other applicant his release is pending. Seven out of ten applications in respect of members of the Air Force were approved, and in three no action was taken. Of applications for 14 soldiers stationed m New Zealand, six were approved and four declined, the remainder being under action. Applications by three overseas men were received, and no action was taken.

Mr. R. Reynolds, late of Beck’s Ltd., has commenced duties at the Co-op. Store in Mawhera Quay, and may be consulted on any matters pertaining to customers’ needs. ’Phone 899.—Advt.

As a result of the showers of rain this morning woi'k was not commenced on the Greymouth waterfront until after 10 o’clock, and this, combined with the fact that there was a shortage of labour on the wharf yesterday and last night, resulted in some 185 hoppers of coal being still under load on the wharf this morning. As a result flat waggons, had to be dispatched to various mines to take the production, and this has now been lost to shipping , and will be sent overland to Christchurch. Coal is being taken by the Kaimiro, while the Kakapo was still discharging cargo this morning, and she will take coal when it becomes available. Another factor which influenced today’s coal position was that attendances at the local State mines were below normal, Liverpool. being almost 100 men short. Briggs and Stratton stationary engines for all purposes now in stock. Schaef’s Ltd., Chevrolet dealers. — 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. » Briggs and Stratton engines for saw benches, pumps, lighting plants, etc., now in stock.—Schaef’s Ltd., Herbert Street.—Advt.