LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1947, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

What promises to be a spectacular display, will take place on Saturday, March 15, at the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations procession. As well as the usual decorated floats, women’s marching teams- will parade, and later take part in a marching competition at Victoria Park at the sports meeting.

Replying to representations from the Westland District Progress League to have the Mulberry harbour model brought to the West Coast, the Minister of Marine, Hon'. J. O’Brien, stated he would take the matter up with the Minister of Internal Affairs, adding that he personally was not taken with the model, after careful examination, because it did not, in his opinion, in any way reflect the tremendous work done by the Mulberrys.

Don’t forget. Grand Variety Concert, Town Hall, Monday next. Funds aid Owen’s Marching Team.—Advt.

The meeting of the Reefton Jockey Club on Saturday, March 15, at the Reefton course, promises to be an attractive one with the stakes totalling £1,500. It is expected that good fields will be carded for all events, and in the trotting events it is likely that the fields will be exceptionally strong. The Reefton Handicap, of £240, provides for second money £4O and third £2O, the race to be run over one and a quarter miles. Nominations close on Friday, Feb. 28, and acceptances and withdrawals on Wednesday, March 12'.

A feast of .sideshows and coconut stalls will be available at the St. Patrick’s Sports Meeting on Saturday March 15, at Victoria Park. —Advt

An application to erect a small goods bakery behind a residence in Preston Road caused the Greymouth Borough Council, at its meeting last night, to reconsider its town planning programme. A resolution that; “Before any deviation from the Town Planning Code be approved, the matter be advertised so that any objections can be lodged with the Council”, is to be considered. It was stated that, in the past, permits for small manufacturing businesses had been granted in residential areas, and subsequent objections by residents of the area had forced the Council to revoke the permits. The application under consideration was referred to the Town Planning Committee.

All the leading axemen will be seen in action at the St. Patrick’s Sports Meeting to be held on Saturday, March 15, at Victoria Park.—Advt.

At a recent meeting of the West Coast Council of the Canterbury Automobile Association, the chairman of the council (Mr P. C. Heaphy) said the need for tar-sealing the road from Runanga to Rapahoe had been much discussed, and that efforts had been made for a number of years to have this work effected. It now appeared, he said, that it v.-ould be done this year as the Highways Board had advised that all preliminary negotiations had been completed. The Westland _County Council advised that no provision for improvements to the Ruatapu road could be made during the current financial year, but that the project would be considered for inclusion in next year’s estimates. The action of the secretary in having railcar warning signs prepared for level crossings was endorsed. It was decided to press for an improvement of the surface of the Cobden bridge.

The athletes will be at their peak at the St Patrick’s Shorts Meeting on Saturday, March 15, at Victoria Park. —Advt.

Mental hospital staffs had decided not to work more than 47 hours per week, said the President of the Public Service Association, Mr J P. Lewin, in a statement issued last night. The staff had agreed to work the full roster, said Mr. Lewin, but not to accept call backs. —Press Assn.

• The Borough Council last evening received from the District Progress League a request for information as to the site of the proposed climatological station, and when the area would be ready for the installation of instruments to be provided by the Meteorological Department. A letter from the Meteorological Branch of the Air Department, advised that, the necessary instruments would be supplied when the site was prepared, and a fence erected. The engineer. Mr, Fairmaid stated that the site was near the abattoir. It had been levelled, and was now ready to be sown in grass. It was decided that the Progress League be informed of -the position.

“While we are not satisfied with the findings of the Railways Tribunal, we are agreed that the Tribunal method is the best way, and w« are not taking the line that it should be abolished,’’ said Mr. P. Johnson, National President of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, at the close of the biennial conference of the society yesterday, at Wellington. Mr. Johnson said that, while continuing to support the Tribunal method, the society was nonetheless resubmitting one claim.— Press Assn.

Special arrangements have been made with the Australian Government to. charter aircraft to fly back to New Zealand urgent J Force compassionate leave and medical cases who would otherwise have been held up indefinitely in Sydney, the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) announced in Wellington to-day. The compassionate leave and medical cases were 20 in number, including three stretcher cases. Two planes, probably Skymasters, were to be used, and were expected at Whenuapai within the next day or two.— Press Association.

The leading wheelmen will contest the cycling events at' Victoria Park on March 15, at the St Patrick’s Sports celebrations. —Advt

Barracks week is being observed at the Greymouth Technical High School this week with pupils taking part in specialised outdoor exercises The boys, as members of the school cadet company have been engaged in various military exercises under military officers. In physical education the boys have been led by Mr Rodger, and an extensive swimming programme has also been inaugurted. The physical culuture programme for the girls has been carried out under Miss N. Romans, physical education officer stationed at Greymouth. Mr G. Ormandy and Miss J. McNiven, of the school staff, have been in charge of the pupils. It is understood that the barracks will be concluded to-day.

The Greymouth Borough Council last evening received a letter from the Department of Health stating that as the local Inspector of Health was serving a much larger district, than the average, the contribution from the Borough should be 7s. 7d. per head. The annual contribution computed from the 1945 census would be £268 13s lid. The Mayor, Mr. F. A. Kitchingham, stated that the propsoal meant an increase of almost 100 per cent. At present £152 was being paid. On the motion of Cr. J. B. Kent, it was resolved that £175 per annum, be offered.