LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 19 December 1940, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Eight men were examined by a Medical Board at Wataroa on Tuesday, three being passed as fit tor military service, and five classed as temporarily unfit.

Men of Kumara! We have all the latest Hats, moderately priced, and all szes, from 6i to 7 3-B.—H. Hamer, Kumara. —Advt.

The Greymouth Highland Pipe Band draws attention in the advertise ing columns to the fact that it Will be carolling in the Blaketown and Couden areas on Saturday afternoon.

The winner of the Joseph P. Firth Scholarship, which became available for the first time at the Cobden School this year, is Raymond J. Watkin, a son of Mrs. B. Watkin, Bright Street, Cobden.

i By yesterday’s express to Christ- ' church, forty-five West Coast resi--1 dents, 28 adults and 17 children left |to attend the annual Christian Convention at Winchester. The Conven'tion wifi open to-day and will con- . elude on Sunday.

At New Brighton yesterday there I was a. borough poll held concerning I the amalgamation of the borough [with Christchurch city. This was I carried by a large majority. The (voting resulted: For amalgamation 1,12-8; against, 154; informal 13 — Press Assn. »

A public meeting is to be held at the Borough Council Chambers at 5.15 p.m. tc-day to consider the A. and P. one-day show in February for which the A. and P. Society has offered all profits for patriotic purposes. The Patriotic and Show Committees will combine for the effort.

Although no direct appeal is being made to the public for Christmas cheer for the Grey River Hospital and Old People’s Home, the Grey Hospital Board has already received a number of acceptable donations. This kindly thought for the aged and rick is much appreciated, indicating as it does, that despite many calls citizens are not unmindful of their duty to the aged people and to those in ill-health.

There was another large attendance at the weekly parade of the Greymouth Home Guard last evening, when an interesting black-board lecture on. military tactics, relating to the duties of the Home Guard, was given by Colonel C. E. Butcher, Company Commander. The final parade for the year will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday next at Victoria Park, when it is expected that a full rriuster will be present.

Exclamations of delight at the ladies’ lovely ‘-Matchless’’ Shoes— Navy, Tan and Black, now showing. —H. Hamer, Kumara.—Advt.

For the Ngahere dredge, a cast steel top tumbler, weighing about 19 tons has been delivered at Port Chalmers from Australia. The tumbler is to be machined by the Stevenson and Cook Engineering Company, and it is estimated that the work will take about 10 weeks. When com, pleted, the tumbler will be sent by rail to Greymouth, where it will be stored as a spare part for the three large dredges operating in this district.

The possibility of a visit to Greymouth by the R.N.Z.A.F. Band from Wigram was mentioned at Tuesday’s meeting of the Patriotic Committee, when the Adjutant at Wigram Air Station wrote, stating that a date in the New Year would be suitable. He suggested that the band should arrive at Greymouth on a Saturday, play at a small function such as a concert on the Saturday night, possibly play at the Hospital on the Sunday afternoon, and at the main function, a dance or ball, on the Monday night, returning to Christchurch by the express on the Tuesday. The selection of a date was held over.

It has been reported that a considerable number of airmail letters prepaid at the 9d concession rate, are being posted to private persons resident in the United Kingdom. The concession applies only to letters addressed to New Zealand and Australian soldiers serving overseas and not to letters addressed to private individuals. A number of airmail letters have also been posted at the reduced rate to Air Force trainees serving in Canada. As Canada is not served by the Empire service, such letters are being despatched by the first surface mali.

Have you seen our Summer Coats, 5/- in the £ ' off these. The best value offered anywhere in New Zealand. Call to-day and take advantage of this big saving.—White’s Corner. Your Fashion Centre.—Advt.

Indications that fewer West Coasters will travel during the coming holidays, but that there will be an increasing number of visitors, are provided by the rail bookings which indicate that between now and Christmhs Day there will be a substantial drop on last year’s outward figures. Both outward expresses on Saturday are well filled, but the boo’kings for Monday and Tuesday are moderate. In contrast, the Christ-church-Greymouth bookings for Saturday, Monday and Tuesday are exceptionally heavy, all trains, including the felief expresses being almost fully booked. The relief expresses this week have been poorly patronised, but the rail-cars from Greymouth in the evening have carried a large number of passengers. Since the new rail-car entered the service on October 28, it has been fully booked for almost every trip from Greymouth.

At a meeting of the Greymouth Patriotic Committee, there were present: The Mayor (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham)Jßev. A. A. Bensley, Messrs P. J. McLean, G. G. M. Mitchell. A. H. McKane, T. E. Coates, O. McLean, K. E. Balchin, and the ’ hon. secretary, W. H. Parfitt. Mr. D. J. Evans, secretary of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council wrote with reference to the .entertaining of West Coast soldiers at the Union Jack and

Welcome Clubs, Christchurch, stating that it would be advisable for the [Committee to arrange with one of the ! clubs to pay a monthly quota to cover dho cost of accommodation' for the men. A letter from Mrs. Kent [Johnstone, on behalf of the Welcome Club was referred to Mr. Evans. The Assistant Adjutant, Headquarters, Southern Military District, advised that he would communicate at a later date with reference to the proposed formation of a band for the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast Regiment. The Committee decided to make a small grant, for the provision of Christmas “cheer” for the men engaged on military duty at Greymouth.

The subject of adequate radio coverage for the West Coast, is being investigated by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), according to advice received by Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P., and read at the meeting of the Greymouth Patriotic Committee on Tuesday. Mr. Fraser’s letter stated: “I note that the West Coast residents have expressed disappointment in regard to the area covered by Station 3ZR. lam taking the matter up with the Director of Eroadcasting,, and the fullest consideration will -be

l.'.ven to the points raised in your letter.” The Committee decided to thank Mr. O’Briep. The Director of National Broadcasting wrote, advising that, when an appeal for funds is launched over the air, the Committee should interview the station manager, 3ZR, regarding assistance to be given at Greymouth. It was decided to refer the matter to the station manager.