LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1942, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

La'st week, 138 towns were successful in raising their national savings quota. Places which had not pie viously flown their flags were as xollows: —Papakura, Waipahi, . Waitahuna, Ashhurst, Rangiwahia, and Mataroa. Success at most of the principal centres is being maintained with gratifying regularity, and the fact that 75 per cent, of the towns which have been allotted quota? have attained their objectives, at least once and in many ca'ses on more than one occasion, goes to show that the Dominion aim of an annual savings of £5,000,000 for war purposes, is not too much to expect.Press Assn.

Owing to altered conditions Gibbs Motor Services to Westport on Sundays, will not be restored.—Advt.

The only notifiable disease which has occurred on the West Coast during the week ended yesterday was a case of diphtheria.

After working regularly for some time, the Blackball State Mine was idle yesterday and Monday, but it is hoped to resume work at the miae within the next few days and the mine will probably be idle to-day and to-morrow. The cause of the stopcage is an accumulation of water in the working places.' The pumps were not able to cope with the quantity of water, as they were previously arranged, and a re-arrangement of the gear was necessary. The water, however, is being steadily pumped out and the face should be ready for working within the next two days.

For a few days longer White’s continue to give 5/- in the £ off Frocks and 4/- in the £ off Coats.—White’s Corner, Your Fashion Centre. —Advt.

Mileage has to be paid by motor vehicles using fuels other than petrol. Prosecutions will be taken in future when substitute fuels are used, without mileage being paid. As a result of inquiries made following the observance of large numbers of private cars at recent race meetings, said the Minister of Transport (Hon. R. Semple), at Christchurch yesterday, motorists advised his Department that they were using cars by mixing kerosene, white spirit, and other similar substitutes with petrol. “It should be made known to motorists that, in most cases, this has a‘ very detrimental effect on the engine of a car, and can easily result in serious danger,” added the Minister. “While this may be principally the motorists’ own business, it is also the case that, where substitutes of this type are used, mileage tax is payable through the Post Office at the rate of 6/7.8d per 100 miles. Failure to declare the use of substitutes or to pay the tax is an offence. The sole exception to this is the use of producer gas or coali gas, which are exempted from the requirements by the Substitute Fuels Emergency Regulations, 1940.” Inquiries from the Transport Department indicate that,i as a warning has been issued by .the Minister, it is intended that prosecutions will in future be taken when substitute fuels are used in riiotorvehicles without the necessary tax being paid.

Owing to the engirie from an Arthur's Pass-Springfield goods train breaking down between Staircase and Kowhai Bush and blocking the line the Christchurch-Greymouth railcar was an hour and 20 minutes late in arriving at Greymouth yesterday morning. The line was cleared in time for the expresses and succeeding trains.