LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 7 January 1944, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Wallsend State mine is to resume operations on Monday next.

The sawmills on the West Coast are faced With an immediate water shortage. It is feared that unless rain falls in the meantime, some mills at the end of a fortnight maybe obliged to cease cutting.

Yesterday was again hot with' more humidity in the air than during the previous day. At 9 a.m. the thermometer- registered 65, at noon 70, a t 3 p.m 70, and at 6 p.m. 75. The whole'day was one of brilliant sunshine.

Fashion has a score of things on her mind but the new Summer Frocks at White’s disclose her foremost recent - thoughts.—White’s Fashion Corner.—Advt.

December and January petrol coupons (Nos. 6 and 7 respectively; are and were available in both these months. This was stated by the Oil Fuel Controller’s office on Wednesday, when its attention was drawn to' a complaint that motorists were having difficulty in getting the December coupon accepted this month bv resellers in some provincial areas.

Smith and Smith Ltd’s premises in Mackav Street were burglariously entered during the time the premises were closed for the Christmas vacation, entry having been gained by the breaking of a window at the rear of the premises. So far as could be ascertained only 10s was taken from the till. It is thought that the burglar slipped out by the office window, which was found unlocked.

This is the second leap year of the war. As now known leap year began when the solar year was settled at 365 days 6 hours. For convenience the six hours were set asiae, and at the end of every four years were added to February, which, hi the matter of length, was the stepchild of the months.. Tradition has given women the right to do trie proposing during the 366 days of year, but marriage statistics do not indicate that the modern woman places a Very high value on that privilege. • ‘

Rehabilitation Plans! Both in New Zealand and England, plans are being made for the economic and social welfare of the boys when they, return from the war. Meantime, housewives, why not make plans tor your own comfort and convenience. For example, why continue win the old-fashioned drudgery of doing your own washing and ironing! Come in, we’ll show you samples of our perfect work! Overcome that prepudice that a laundry “knocks your linen to pieces.’’ Our modern methods cause far less wear and tear' than the old scrub board. And our No. 2 Thrift Service is thriftness itself, covering 181bs flat work, completely laundered for only ss. This is the equivalent of the average household's fortnightly wash. ’Phone 136. Depot: 27 Albert Street. The Westland Laundry Ltd. —Advt.

The Manpower Officer at Greymouth, stated yesterday that men recently returned from garrison duty in the' Pacific will shortly be reboarded and given the opportunity to accept employment in essential industries of a high rating. In cases Where men do not desire such employment the area officer will be advised and arrangements for remobilisation made. As far as possible married men will be allocated to industries near their homes while single men will be available for direction; elsewhere. The directions will take effect from the expiry of the period; of leave on military pay. A former Auckland property owner regrets that the Land Sales Act was not in operation when he had dealings in property. Some, years ago he sold his house in the city for £7OO and Went pioneering in the backblocks. This venture, however, was not a success, and he was forced to return to the city. Wishing to buy back his old home, which was empty, he .approached the owner, who, he learnt to his amazement, was willing to part with the property for £l2OO, or to lease it at 37s fed a week. The house had nearly doubled ..in value, although it was 10 years old .and had never been painted since the former owner left it. There was nothing for it but to take it and pay the high rent asked for it. .

An ancient Maori canoe of large dimensions has been found in- North Auckland. A Whangarei report says: A twenty-two-foot Maori canoe, apparently of the ocean-going tyfpe, has been dug out of sand and been retrieved by Mr. R. H. Goodson, headmaster of the Whirinaki Native School, in the grounds of which he intends to place it after restoration work is done .on the gunwale. Only a small portion of the canoe bottom was showing from the sands when the discovery was made. The canoe was cleaned floated on the next tide nearer the Opononi Hotel, from where it can be removed by lorry. Streamlined in design, the canoe is built .of /solid, totara. Shaped by fire and adze from one log, its accommodates from four to six men.

A notable record in longevity in one of the pioneer families of the Nelson (Province was disclosed in figures recently given by Mr J. W. Hodgkinson, of Murchison. Mr Hodgkinson is the only surviving member of the family of Mr G. Hodgkinson. who came to New Zealand in 1842, and was one of the early pioneers of the province. He had almost reached the age of 100 when he died, his wife being 86 years old at the time. Mr Hodgkinson’s family comprised six sons and five daughters. Mr J. W. Hodgkinson, who is retired at Murchison, is now 84 y&ar.s of age, and is still active and in full possession of all his faculties. The ages of his "brothers and sisters when they died were as follows: Edmund 91. Reuben 89, Thomas 87, George 36' Alfred 70, Mrs Holland £6, Mrs McDonald 87, Mrs Cotton 88, Mrs Graham 87, Mrs McLachan 60.

Successful in every way was the trial of a 75-foot all-welded tugboat which has been built in Auckland by Steel Ships, Limited, for the United States Army, states the “Auckland Star ” A number of these craft are to be built. The new craft have, a practical appearance, with straight stem, raised forecastle head, and a squat funnel set amidships between two masts slightly raked. Forward there is accommodation for six men. Then follows the galley, and amidships there is a spacious engine-room, the propulsion plant being a Diesel engine of ample power. There is accommodation for two officers aft. The tugs have a beam of 18ft, with a draft of Bft forward .and 6ft 6m aft. The approximate speed is 10 knots. All the work is being done by Auckland labour, and already five of the craft have reached the launching stage. The Coatesville, however, is the first new vessel to show her paces.

The Minister of Marine, Hon Jas. O’Brien, accompanied by the Chief Engineer and South Island Inspectoi of the Marine Department, are expected to arrive in Greymouth eaily next week to confer with the Grey Harbour Board in connection with the condition of the bar. Mr. O Brien will discuss possible steps to assist, in overcoming the present unsatisfactroy position, and possibly the diversion of smaller vessels in the meantime It' is considered that the margin of safety on the indicated receding depth on the ibai at high water (14 feet 10 inches yesterday) would not -justify eyen a light draught vessel entering the poit when it is remembered that the present “lift” is about three feet. The half-yearly meeting of the Hibernian Society was held last evening, there being a large number present. ’ The main business whs the election of officers which resulted as follows: President, Bro. P. O’Farrell (unopposed); Vice-Presid-ent, Brs. J’. Gough; Secretary, Bro. M G Kelly (re-elected); Treasurer, Bro M. A. Brown (re-elected); Warden, Bro. T. Power; Guardian, Bro F. Grogan; Sick Visitors. Bros. A. J Greaney and F. Feehan (reelected). After the meeting the members adjourned to the social room, where the usual toasts were honoured. The President welcomed Rev. Father V. Flaherty and Rev. Father A. Kennedy, S.M., of Christchurch to the meeting, both expressing their pleasure at being present. A framed photograph of ithe late Bishop M. J. Brodie was presented to the Branch, on behalf of the Chaplain, the Very Rev. Father J. Long, Adm., by-Bro. Feehan, who also tendered ah apology from the donor for his unavoidable absence from the meeting.