LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 27 December 1920, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Carols on Christmas Eve were played in the streets by the Salvation. Army Band, while on Christmas morning the Citizens ' Band turned out and played round' the town. Good business was done on Christmas Eve at the Fancy Fair and Sale of Work in Upper Mawhera Quay, which will remain open during the holidays, and patrons can rely on further bargains. Christmas Eve saw a very larg*| crowd on the streets of Greyniouth, while the picture shows were -crowded to the doors. The various business 'places, and particularly the toy shops did a roaring trade. The Christmas generally proved one of the most prosperous and enjoyable in Greymouic. Hoiktika had a goodly number of visitors for Christmas, and. Bevell Street was ■ lively on Christmas Eve with the young folk, who gave vent to their feelings Avith salvoes of crackers. The Hokitika Baud as usual, turned out and rendered carols in the streets until long after daylight. - A Wellington telegram states that the Executive Committee fit the Trentham Scholarships Fund have awarded a Greyniouth youth a scholarship. The scholarship is for twelve months only, being subject to revision at the expiration of that period. The only condition is that applicants shall follow the course of training provided for them. .Master D. T. Okey, of Greymouth, is the recipient of the scholarship mentioned. There was as usual a large attendance at Midnight' Mass at St. Patrick's Church on Christmas. Eve,- including a fair sprinkling of mevfTjcrs of other denominations. A Missa Cantata was sung by Eev. Father Aubrey, . S.M., P.P., 'while Rev. Father McGrath was deacon and Rev. Father hi Croix subdeacon. The choir rendered the occasional music excellently. The soloists were Miss V. Hannan and Mr L. Stapp. Mr M. J. Mack (general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants), speaking to "Lyttelton Times" reporter recently, stated that at hie election of conference delegats, just held by the A.S.R.S. undtfer the proportional representation system, the number of informal votes, aws less than 1 per cent.; and even this small percentage included certain votes which had clearly been made purposely informal, being scriburcd all over to show the voters' disapproval of the principle. ■ . The following is a sarcastic par from the -"Maoriland Worker":.— "The 'Worker' learns by private cable that a public meeting held ' ibi Lotivain and largely attended by survivors of the Hunnish invasion, on hearing of the destruction of £3,000,000 worth of property in Cork immediately after the declaration of martial 'law, 1 passed a resolution of thanks and gratitude to the Germans for their comparatively humane treatment." • About 1 Ip.m. on Christmas Night the Central . Firebell sounded an alarm, and a blaze in the neighbourhood of the nor '-west corner of the Park indicated its location. It proved to be a house occupied bY a Chinese named Lee, and the fire was in a room at the rear. The brigade arrived before it had much of a hold, and soon put it out. The only damage was that done to the room where the fire began. The owner of the house is Mr Felix Campbell, and it is not known whether there was any insurance. A presentation took place recently, at Rewanui, when on the 17th inst. the residents assembled-- at the Miners' Hall to do honour to Mr and Mrs Gordon Manderson, and presented them with a token of respect on the. occasion of their marriage. Friends from all parts of the district showed their regards for the happy couple. Excellent music for the dance was supplied by Messrs Campbell and Cairns, extras being played by »Mrs MePhec. Mr McAlavcy ably carried out the duties of M.C. Mr E. Hunt, who was chairman, &poke on the numerous good qualities of the Bride and 'Bridegroom, and of y thcir great help in. all social functions. On behalf of the residents of Rewanui, he presented 1 Mr and Mrs Manderson with a handsome niarblp filo^k as a. token of respect, and wished them the happiness they deserved in their wedded life. 'A good tuck in of Chri stums fare and a present front. Wade's Athletic emporium — Ye Gods ! a perfect Christmas. Advt. Aitken and Peters are showing a Dig range of mens and boys suits for *the Xnias trade, also the latest in mena shirts, an endless variety of smart ties, lounge felt hats, boaters, caps, cambric and silk handkerchiefs, silk collars, braces, etc. For , all requirements in up-to-date goods for mens and boys wear visit Aitken and Peters, Uppei Mawhera Quay.— Advt. - ■ Great Xmas dispay at Aitken ~ and Peters, something here to suit all tastr><?,. come in and. see our great showIng, of stylish millinery, blouses, summer frocks, costumes, childrens froekSf and .iumpfirs. silk hose in black, white, and coloured, stylish gloves in white. fTirl onlr^rr>r\ PijPrip." lislp fiflovOß • all p'hif'ps, fonr.y boTPfl li a n^lf pt^PpTwitj j> cliiliirpns pill: snclrs. ntfi. — Advt.

P. and Oi shares arc now quoted in London at £345 and £365. On Saturday evening next a dance will be held under "the auspices of the Labour Party. Lost, a new Motor Cover (30 x 3£, Ford size) on the Kumara-Grey Road. Reward, Mark Sprot and Co: — Advt. Conscientious scruple has moved one war loan investor in Britain to renounce for five years the interest on his £100,000 investment. Mr, Mrs and Miss Trirfgham, of Wellintgon, are spending the Christinas and New Year holidays on the West Coast. The champion pacer, Author Dillon, in charge of his mentor, Mr B. Jarden, is due here to-day from Otira. The genial "Ben" is also bringing Leewood and Lady Wildwood, both of Which will start at Greymouth. The Hokitika Races commence this morning, and it its expected the Westland Racing Club will have a reocrd attendance. The course has been brought up to a high pitch of efficiency and visitors will find their every need catered for by the southern organisa- 4 tion. The train services are very suitable morning and evening. Greymouth is at present a most difficult place to secure accommodation in. Several Canterbury lady visitors have been quite unabel to secure even rooms in town.,. It is to do hoped that those of the public in a position to afford temporary accommodation to vistbrs will acquaint the secretaries of the racing and trotting clubs of the fact at once. * What a rush to smother the effects of the assertion by that candid Canadian at the League of Nations meeting that "it was European statesmen who 'tad drench the world in blood." First" of all he withdrew "any remarks that might be considered to reflect bni the statesmen of European countries," then a committte was appointed "with a view to a compromise," and after that they agreed on a compromise! it. . , , . Norman' Angell's thesis in. "The Great Illusion" that each nation is dependent on every other for its security and prosperity, and that the victor in a modern war merely does injury to itself by, impoverishing and humiliating the vanquished is now feeing exemplified. Even our squatters with wool to sell are begunnig to appreciate 'tht inf^er-dci pendability of each part of the wotM on the other. Where the teaching of the failed to enlighten them, economic determination, or plain experience, removed the scales from their, eyes. ,Tvrfo .Te^dejfcb / workers, who (have come from the country for the holidays, were much, incensed by the treatment meted out to them by the police of Greymouth. It appeal's that our two visitors were looking at a game . introduced by some of the "speiler" fraternity; and, becoming justly indignant at what they considered the "taking down" of the boys, said "that the whole show ought to be blown up." A little later they we-rV appor ached by two constables and 'were forced to suffer U»o indignity o.f being searched for firearms. | It is. .a great pity the policq do not J pay more attention to the "speilers" and leave honest men alone 1 Colonel LEi Maloiic, who recently ex pressed the opinion that a London Jamp-post would be a handy thing f rom T , which to dangle a Churchill, Milner, or a Carson or two and received six months for hs pains, has had a remarkable career. Malonc, who is en OJ3.E. has held a remarkable place in British public life during the last years, and it is not surprising that 1 tic authorities have become scared about the influence of the Liberal military officer who turned Communist after a visit to Soviet Russia. Hitherto, however, his new activities had in the main been ignored by the capitalist Press. Malone, who is only 30 years of age, has had a -notable military career.' He entered the Royal Navy iii 1905, and six years later was selected to undergo the flying course »t EastchurcK, anil next jear took part in army manoevres, flying a twin-en-gined, triple-screwed bi-planc. He was then only 22 years of age. Early in 1 the war he came into prominence by commanding the R.N.A.S. units in the laids on Cuxhaven, and later being placed in charge of H.M.S. Ben-My-Chree. He served in the Dardanelles till the evacuation, and was mentioned in dispatches. Later he commanded the East Indies and Egypt seaplane squadron, and during this period received the Order of the Nile. He was appointed to the Plans Division of the Admiralty in 1918, and in the same year become first British air attache at the British Embassy in Paris and air representative on the Supreme War I Council at "Versailles. In the same year at the rush . general election he was elected as a Coalition Liberal for the East Leyton scat. Subsequently he paid a visit to Soviet Russia, and after close study of local conditions came back to disillusion the British public about the Russian revolution, defending the Soviets and their work, both in the House of Commons and in the Labour Press. .Last year he definitely broke away from his former political associates, and joined the left wing of itho Socialist Party. He was one of the leaders of -the recent movement to [establish the British Communist Party. I The present that will win a smile of I appreciation from your sporty friend I Tennis Racquet, or cricket bat etc. iWade afld Co .—Advt.

• Mr J. Siglcy . arrived home from Wellington an Thursday evening on annual holidays. Mr H. Piper, stipendiary steward, arrived in Greymouth on Christmas Eve. " Miss Grace Coll, of Christckurcli, is a visitor to Greymouth, spending the holidays with hi parents. 1 Mr and Mrs P. O'Neill of Greymouth vrill bo passengers on to-day's express . They will spend a couple of weeks in Christchurch. . Mrs Noonan and Misses Noonan and Dunn 'leave by to-day's express on a holiday trip to Canterbury ana the North Island. Mr and Mrs J. ■ "Wallace, of Sumncr, Christchurch, are at present on a visit to the West Coast, and are in residence at Ikamatua. Mr P. Deere of the Government Offices, Blonheim, arrived overland fyoio Christchurch on Friday evening, and will spend his holidays on the West Coast. Mr R. J. McAbcr, of Ashby, Bcrgh and Co., Christchurch, passed through Greymouth yesterday en route to Westport. Mr Alf White, of Wyn's Motor Garage, Nelson, is at present on a visit to Greymouth. Mr White is wellknown in local motor circles. Mr W. Howard, of Dunollic, is an inmate of the Grey River Hospital. His many friends' will wish him a speedy recovery. ' Mr: Whitesmith, of .Runanga, was taken to the Grey River Hospital yesterday. It is reported that ho is seriously ill. A number of Kuinara visitors, Messrs J. McDonald, Steve McCarthy, Rothwell, J. Wright, and Stewart, were in Greymouth yesterday. We regret to learn that Mr Edward Lowe, of Kokiri, formerly a wellknown sawmillcr, is at present in a very critical state of health at the Grey River Hospital. Mr H. Quancy acoempanied by his son, Mr H. Quanc, jun., are visiting the West Coast. Mr Quane has not missed the Greymouth meeting for a good number of ycavs. Messrs A. G. Mabic (stipendiary steward for trotting), H. Brinkman (handicapper), and G. Simpson' ("Reforeo" reporter), who arrived here on Saturday, proceeded yesterday to Westport to attend to-day trots there. Addressing a packed mooting in Westminster Sir Horace Plunkctt, who has devoted his life to the development of the Irish co-operative inovcmeut denounced the Government's policy in Ireland as pure <'frightfulness. " He bitterly condemned Lloyd George's "gross exaggeration of Irish criminality in order -to condone acts for which he is responsible as an outrage on the decency of public life." Ho declared that- 999 out of every 1000 Sinn Fein-, crs condemned the murder of policemen and soldiers, though they were well aware of the aggravating circumstances which goaded Irishmen to these {deeds. ' , . A'l'JS.. Writing to Mr John Arbueklc from Broken Hill Mr J. Williams says that not half the mines are working and will not open until after the New Year. The miners and their wives and families arc in a pitiable condition of Tags and poverty, and all seem to be determined that this is the last bread line strike in which they will participate. He states that there was every appearance of a coal strike in New South Wales. He expects to be in New Zealand by about Christmas, when he will commence work as .an organiser for the JNew Zealand Workers' Union. According to Miss Wilkinson of the Women's International League in an interview given to the London Press a deliberate attempt is being made by tho English Government to stifle the economic life of the South and West of Ireland. Hay and corn are being systematically burnt by the "Black and Tans," and by this means' the farmers arc being mined, they being compelled to sell off their stock at any price they can get. In the indiscriminate burning 'of property under the Government 's- reprisal^ policy creameries, factories and other business premises belonging, in many cases, to Protestant firms, have been destroyed. , Numerous West Coasters, and particularly; early Westland pioneer avlll regret 'to learn of the death, on Xinas Eve at Wellington of Mr V'ni. Hannam ' a sterling West Coast pioneer, who £or very many years, • was in business at Hokitika as a butcher. Having seen active service in the British Army at the Crimean War, deceased was one of tho earliest arrivals at Hokitika in 1865, being also one of the fi rst men. to cross the Hokitika bar in a snip. Ho continued in business in the northern town for about half-a-century, and by his genial character and" business ability gained the esteem of a wide circle of friends. Three years ago he retired, and went to live with, his relatives at Wellington. He was close on ninety years of age. He leaves three sons and two daughters, the latter residing in Wellington. The sons are Messrs Wm. Hannam (Greymouth), Tom Hannam (Wellington) and Charles Hannam (Petone). The bereaved relatives will have the sympathy of many friends in their loss. . ;