LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 19 November 1946, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The annua collection for Plunket funds which was recently completed in Blaketown amounted to £22.

A first offender who was arrested in Runanga on Saturday afternoon, cn a charge of drunkenness 1 .was fined 10s, the amount of his bail, in the Police Court at Greymouth, before Mr J. B. Hood, J.P’. yesterday morning.

When the Kaimai berthed at Greymouth yesterday from Wellington, a further ten new cars were unloaded for dealers on the West Coast. Some of these were for Reefton and Westport

At a cost,of £24,300, the Government has acquired the treating house portion of the Napier Dairy Coy. Lfd. It has been taken over as from Novembei- 1. It is now being operated as a state venture by the Milk Marketing Division. —Press Assn.

Repairs are to be undertaken short ly on the interior of the Social Security buildings in Mawhera Quay, and timber has already been deposited in the building prior to commencement of the work. It is understood that the whole of the walls are to be lined with pine.x.

Just arrived. All sizes, Boys’ Pyjamas; good quality. Post free. —H. Hamer, Kumara.—Advt.

. When Hon. J. O’Brien was approached on Saturday evening last by a deputation from the Blaketown Home and School Association, he indicated that he would consider the inclusion in the ten-year-plan for Westland, of the replacement of the old school building at Blaketown.

Claiming that the Canterbury Education Board had not acted as it should have done in respect of the staffing difficulties experienced a'the Blaketown School last month, tlw Blaketown Home and School Association has sent a strong letter of pro test to the board pointing out that perpetual changes in staff were adversely affecting the education of the pupils. The letter also claimed that the relieving staff at the school was inadequate. It was indicated at the association’s recent meeting that at the end of last month the infant mistress at the school had been ’ transferred, the school committee receiving only one week’s notice instead of the month to which it was entitled. There was no immediate replacement" of this teacher, and then another had

to take time off for university examinations. In accordance with Education Board policy no refeving teacher was provided, and ' te staff position became so 'Jiat when a third teacher had to obtain sick leave only two teachers, including the head master, were left to control and teach 180 children in all grades.

The whitebait season In Greymouth has been a poor one in so far as large catches have been concerned. Only small catches were made over the week-end, and again yesterday. The few fishermen who ventured out met with little or no success.

Painful injuries were suffered by Frederick Escott, a racehorse trainer, of Greymouth, when he vzas leading the horse High Ideal round the course at Omoto recently. He was kicked in the thigh which was nastily gashed, and after receiving medical attention was able to proceed to his home.

For the second time in two months the Paparoa Ranges were covered in snow yesterday. The snowline was high, however, but a cold wind swept down into the town of Greymouth. The weather was squally yesterday, but the recent spell of good weather, which has prevailed throughout the district, was still predominating, and only short showers marred an. otherwise sunny day.

New Zealand Breweries, Ltd., will pay an interim dividend of Is per share (5 per cent) on December 31, for the six months .ended September 30. On this 10 pei; cent, per annum basis, the rate is the highest since 1931, when 125 per cent, was paid. The highest rate since then has been 85 per cent. The books clos-ed yesterday until December 31.—P.A.

A well-known Greymouth fisherman landed a good conditioned brown trout from the lower reaches of the Grey River on Saturday evening. The fish which tipped the scales at eight pounds will no doubt be a strong contender for the Milner-Bennington Shield which Is competed for annually amongst members of the Grey District Acclimatisation Society.

A woman sentenced with hard labour has been appealed for by the Westland Laundry Limited. This case has caused wide comment in Greymouth and surrounding districts. The sentence was that all rugs, blankets, curtains, eiderdowns and drapings were to be laundered before the festive season. The Westland Laundry Limited has offered to serve the sentence on condition that all these articles are sent to their modern laundry by December 6th. After this date they will not be handling the articles until January, 1947. Do not delay—send early and avoid disappointment. Telephone 136 or leave parcels at our Depot—Sam McAra. —Advt.

Mr Sam Anisy, whose marriage takes place this morning to Miss F'hyllis Webster, was met by members of the extacutive of the Greymouth Returned Services Association yesterday, and l was the recipient of suitable presentations. Mr J. J. Crooks, vice-president of the R.S.A., made the presentation on behalf of the executive and Mr S. Worthington on behalf of the social committee. .Mr Anisy suitably replied, and the health of the young couple was proposed with musical honours. The presentations were a chromium plated smokers stand, a pair of double bed sheets and a china, afternoon tea set.

One point which was brought up at the meeting of the Westland Election Committee last evening was the misunderstanding which could exis’ among members of the public with regard to voting by declaration. There was no difficulty about it, said the secretary, Mr. W. Caldwell, as long as the following points were made clear: Persons allowed to vote by declaration are (1) any person whose name is ruled out of any certified copy of the roll supplied by the Returning Officer. (2) Any person, who, having applied for registration as an elector before 6 o’clock on the afternoon of the day of the issue of the writ, and having been informed by the Registrar that he has- been registered, _ has not been so registered. (3) Former members of overseas personnel not 1 enrolled. On the advice of the Registrar that particulars were not correct, however, votes by declaration could be declared invalid. It was pointed out also that sick persons who wished to vote could do so orally.

The November meeting of the Blaketown Women’s Institute was held in the Blaketown Hall, Mrs Moreland presiding over a good attendance. Two members who had transferred from Barrytown Women’s Institute were welcomed. Members agreed to assist selling health stamps, and also to co-operate with the obstetric appeal. Mrs Devonport gave a report on the recent half-yearly Federation meeting. It was decided to hold a children’s Christmas party, and the next meeting is also to take the form of a party with an exchange of gifts. Mesdames McDowell and Mann were appointed delegates to attend a combined picnic meeting. Mrs Hall gave an interesting address on the Bretton Woods Agreement. The next community evening held by the Advance Blaketown League will be conducted by the Institute. Mrs Graham was the winner of the wandering shilling competition. Competition results were as follows: Flower garden in saucer: Mrs P. Smith 1; Mrs Gordon 2; Mrs Herring 3. Vegetable salad: Mrs P. Smith. Sun bonnet: Mrs L. Stewart 1; Mrs Marley 2. The evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.