LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1941, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Last week freight hauled thr £ys*} the Otira tunnel from the West Coast to Canterbury amounted to 7,333 tons, compared with 9,636 tons in the corresponding week of last year, a decrease of 2,303 tons. In 1939, the corresponding total was 8,329 tons.

Men of Kumara! We have all the latest Hats, moderately priced, and all szes, from 61 to 7 3-8. —H. Hamer. Kumara. —Advt.

Owing to the number of advance bookings made for the 52-seater Vulcan rail-car, which is under repair at Addington Workshops, the service is being maintained this week by a steam train, with two cars attached. The big rail-car will probably resume the service on Monday next.

Yesterday’s medical examination at Greymouth of men drawn in the overseas ballot produced only 8 fit men out of 19 examined. Ten were rejected as permanntly unfit, and one was classed as temporarily unfit. One recruit for the National Military Reserve was also examined and passed as fit. Another group of 25 West Coast men drawn in the Ballot, will be examined at Greymouth to-mor-row.

A remand until Monday next was granted by Mr M. J. Fogarty, J.P., in the Magistrate’s Court, at Greymouth yesterday, when George Mason Elliott a labourer aged 54 years, of no fixed abode, was charged with the theft, at Hokitika, on December 31, 1940, of a clock, valued at £1 15s, the property of Irene Shand. Detective C. H. Davis applied for the remand. Accused objected to being remanded, saying that he would sooner have the case heard at once. The remand, was, however, granted.

Call at White’s, a few only Summer Coats, 5/- in the £ discount. These are wonderful buying. , Buy these and save. White’s Fashion Corner.—Advt.

To the great amusement of those present at last evening’s civic reception to Hon. W. Nash, the Minister neatly replied to a tribute paid to him by the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb), who had referred io his tireless energy and services as a Minister. “When I go back to Wellington, I will try to find the in a n Paddv Webb was talking about.” said Mr Nash. “I will ask my wife to assist m e in the search for the man, because 1 would so much li*e to find him.” (Laugh tetr).

Silk stockings, or the absence of them, which caused a considerable controversy in New Zealand some time ago, was a subject mentioned by th e Minister of Customs (Hon. W. Nash), at last evening’s civic reception. “We have so much money to spend that we can’t bring silk stockings into the country,” sa d Mr Nash amidst laughter, “but last year we made 298,000 dozen pairs. However, we needed 302,000 dozen pairs. If you all wear them a week longer, then there won’t b e any shortage. Now just think that out, and you will be rendering a service, to the country. If you have a ladder in them, just climb the ladder 'and you will' be rendering even greater service to Ihe country!”

Owing to lack of py.blic support, a meeting of the Cobden. Combined Picnic Committee decided on Monday evening to abandon this year’s outing. Mr R. Roper presided over a small' attendance. The secretary (Mr E. Cressey) tendered his resignation owing to other duties. The Resignation wajj accepted with regret.

A narrow escape from ser’ou s injury was that of Mr C. B. Needham, a Cobden resident, who was driving his car past the Cobden quarry when a large chip came away from a block of stone which was being lifted by a crane and flew through the nearside front window of th e car. Tne chip, the force of which was broken by its striking against the framework of the window, broke the glass und came to rest on the seat beside the driver, who suffered otjly superficial cuts.

Lawnmower Laziness: Easily cured if you have your Lawnmower overhauled and sharpened in our modern machines. Charge 10/-. Ring Greenhill’s. ’Phone 428, or Abbie-Ramage ’Phone 167. —Electric Lawnmower Service (P. Allan, Principal), Clifford Street. Cobden.— Advt.

At an afternoon tea and a’ dinner to be held in the Union Club, Christchurch on Saturday next, all West Coast soldiers in Canterbury are to be the guests of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council. It is expected that four sittings will be necessary to accommodate the 600 men who are to be present. Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P., will be among the visitors from the West Coast for the occasion. This entertainment for the men is on lines similar to those provided by other district Patriotic Councils, for their soldiers.