LOCAL AND GENERAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1945, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Delegates of the New Zealand primary producers to a conference of British and American farming interests next May are Messrs B. V. Cooksley, Farmers’ Federation and the market gardening industry, AV. W. Mulholland and K. J. Holyoake, M.P., New Zealand Farmers’ Union, G. H. Grigg, meat industry, W. E. Hale, dairy industry, and A. Congdon, fruit industry—P. A.

After several wet week-ends, the weather on Saturday and Sunday was fine. Saturday was the hottest, the temperature at noon and 6 p.m. on that day being 63 degrees—the highest reading this Summer. Yesterday 62 degrees was recorded during the afternoon. This afternoon, the thermometer registered 60 degrees, but this reading was affected by a cool north-west wind.

The second conference of representatives of West Coast branches of the Returned Services Association was held on Saturday at Reefton, Messrs O. McLean, T. P. Ryan, J. J. Crooks, G. G. M. Mitchell and A. Agnew representing the Greymouth branch. Various matters concerning the welfare of returned soldiers were discussed and a number of resolutions passed. It was decided that the next conference be held at Hokitika m Aprii next.

Judgment by default in the following civil claims was entered by Mr. A. A. McLachlan at a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth this morning:—Tates Footwear, Ltd., v. Joseph Kelly, £2/3/3, costs 25/6; Tates Footwear, Ltd., v. J. E. Cash, £l/17/11, costs 10/-. There was only one application dealt with by Mr. McLachlan as Warden in the Warden’s Court and this vzas an aoplication by John Tennent for a re-, newal of a gold dealer’s license, renewal being recommended.

An expedition to Taipo Valley, between Wainihinihi and Jacksons, was carried out by 21 members of the West Coast Alpine Club yesterday in perfect weather. The members travelled by bus to the entrance of the valley and tramped up by the edge of the stream, the going being difficult owing to the nature of the terrain. The isolation of the area was indicated by the fact that a female settler in the valley told members that she had not been out of the valley on to the main road for ten years. She had no radio but goods were delivered by pack horse at regular periods. The party returned to Greymouth by 6.15 p.m.

There was a large attendance on Saturday at the annual St. Patrick’s Fete held in the Marist School grounds, proceedings commencing after the arrival of a procession headed by Father Christmas and the Municipal and Highland Pipe Bands. There were 34 entries in the baby show, which resulted as follows: Under six months, Babies Dennis and Beban, first equal; under 12 months, Baby Kennedy; under 18 months, Baby O’Connor. Games and competitions were held during the afternoon and again in the evening, and a substantial sum was realised, though the final figures have not yet been reached.

The Director of the Organisation for National Development has advised the Secretary of the Greymouth Regional Planning Committee, Mr. F. A. Hutton, that, as a consequence of the disbanding of the 0.N.p., it would be necessary for the Regional Planning Councils to undertake their own secretarial work. Up till the present the Westland Regional Planning Council’s secretarial work has been carried out by a member of the Rehabilitation Department, but according to the Director’s advice, this assistance must cease by the end of March next. It was reported this morning that a number of . Councils in other districts had appointed the clerk of the leading local body .to carry out the work.

A percussion drill is being prepared for dispatch to the Stockton area in the Buller district where, opencast mining is now being carried out on an extensive scale. This plant will drill shot-holes for the blasting away of overburden to permit the continuous working of a new, large mechanical shovel recently installed, and providing a revolutionary method in quick removal of coal deposits from open-cast workings. >< . Blast-hole drilling is done on a fairly big scale in some stone quarries throughout New Zealand, but this is the first. occasion on which it is to be utilised on coal-producing areas. The drill will bore six-inch holes so that fiveinch diameter explosive cartridges can be utilised, replacing much smaller charges at present being used.

It’4S Xmas time and the best for six years. Do it justice and pui chase from Revingtons Bottle Store (street entrance) the best of wines and ales. —Advt.

Barrytown Women’s Institute combined the October and November meetings recently at the residence of Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. Wafer being assistant hostess. There was a good attendance of members and one visitor 'was welcomed. Mrs. Rowe (President) presented Long Service Badges to Mesdames Kennedy, Richards, Wafer, and Miss RyaH. The aspirations were read by Mrs. Blunt. Miss McCann, delegate to the halfyearly conference at Greymouth, forwarded an interesting report. The results of competitions were: Essay, “My Experience as a W.I. Member,” Mrs. Blunt, 1. Verse, Mrs. Kennedy, 1; Mrs. Wafer, 2. Hostess guessing competition winner, Miss Byall. As Mrs. Wafer wished to be relieved of her duties as secretary owing to illhealth, Mrs. Butterworth consented to be secretary until the annual meeting. The January meeting is to be held at the residence of Mrs. Richards, and the competition a piece of Christmas cake. Afternoon tea was sei-ved.