General News

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 August 1949, Page 4

General News

Tory Channel Whalers After the most successful season on record the Tory Channel whalers have ceased operations for this year, with a total catch of 139 whales. The previous best tally was 111. . The final catches for the season were two on Friday and one on Saturday.— (P.A.)

New Coastal Ship Much public interest was manifested on Saturday evening when the Vestria, the latest addition to the Northern Steamship Company’s coastal fleet, arrived at port Whangarei with 840 tons of North African phosphate. The Vestria, which was built in Sweden, was four months on the voyage from England to Whangarei—her first port of call in New Zealand. —(P.A.) Otira Gorge Open A light fall of rocks and stone in the vicinity of Candy’s Bend, about two-thirds of the way up the Otira Gorge, temporarily closed the Arthur’s Pass road route from the West Coast to Canterbury yesterday. Automobile Association (Canterbury) officers stated today, however, that the fall had been cleared and the road is now open to all traffic. All other roads in the district are open to traffic and have not been affected by the rain which fell during the week-end. Rates To Be Issued _ - Rate demands by the Greymouth Borough Council will be issued tomorrow. The rates are on about a par with last year’s, the consolidated rate of 19.033 d in the £, over the Greymouth area giving a total of £28,639 Is 2d and that of _15.767d in the £ over the Cobden'area, a total of £2363 9s 6d. Ratepayers are reminded that a 2| per cent discount on the consolidated rate will be allowed this year if the rates are paid before- September 22. As it is the first time that this experiment has been tried in Greymouth, it will be interesting to note what response is made by the ratepayers. .

Seaman Injured The overseas vessel Australind bound from Port Chalmers to Port Pirie was forced to put back near Bluff on Friday evening,,after amember of the crew had been injured while the ship was passing through Foxeaux Strait. The seaman was transferred to the Bluff Harbour Board’s tug Awarua, which landed him at Bluff. The Awarua had to battle her way through rough seas to reach the Australind off Stirling Point. The seaman, Charles Blackmore, aged 36, was admitted to Kew Hospital. He is reported to be suffering from concussion. His condition is now satisfactory.—(P.A.)