HOURS OF SHOPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24874, 21 April 1944, Page 4

HOURS OF SHOPS

FIVE-DAY WEEK PLAN ATTITUDE OF TOBACCONISTS Comment on the proposal for a fiveday week of 43 hours for retail shops, with particular reference to after-hours and Sunday trading, was made by Mr. R. M. Carter, secretary of the Auckland District Retail Tobacconists and Hairdressers' Association, yesterday. He said the question had not been discussed by his association or by the New Zealand Retail Tobacconists and Hairdressers' Federation. Quite apart from the merit or otherwise of the proposal, before any such change could come about in either the tobacconist or hairdressing businesses the Shops and Offices Act would have to be amended. He did not think the change would appeal to the majority of tobacconists until they were given more effective protection against afterhours and Sunday trading, which was widespread, especially when supplies were normal. FLOODS RECEDING CONDITIONS IN NORTH MAIN ROADS STILL BLOCKED (O C.) WHANGAREI. Thursday Rain continued in North Auckland districts last night, but to-day has Jieen fine. Since Sunday nearly Sin. of rain has been recorded in some localities. A number of roads, including the main route to Russell and that from Whangarei to Dargaville, were blocked by flooding this morning, but late this afternoon the waters were receding and it is anticipated that all routes will be clear to-morrow. Low-lying lands are still inundated and it will be some days before all are clear. Heavy seas hare been running on the coasts and yesterday visibility at sea was low owing to misty rain squalls. REEFTON COALFIELD GREAT POTENTIALITIES (P.A.) WESTPORT, Thursday With the keen demand for coal renewed interest is being taken in the development of the Reefton coalfield, which is in the nature of a basin extending for six miles from the river to the mine and at its deepest, in the centre of the basin, 500 feet. A student of geology for over 40 years says this is one of the biggest coal fields in New Zealand. The completion of the Buller Gorge railway will enable the coal to he railed to Westport and _ thence shipped to all main ports of New Zealand HORSES BY TRAILER 30-MILE LIMIT EXCEEDED (P.A.) DANNEVIRKE, Thursday Before Mr. A. Coleman, S.M., to-day the Transport Department proceeded against two horse trailer owners, Bartholomew John Kelliher and James Joseph Waller, both of Palmerston North, for having committed a breach of the recent regulations by transporting racehorses by motor over the proscribed distance of 30 miles. These were the first prosecutions of the kind under the regulations. Both defendants pleaded guilty, and each was fined £5 and costs £2 12s. The magistrate stated that he had inflicted only a nominal penalty because the cases were the first of their kind, but in the case of similar prosecutions in the future the fines would not be so light. POWER CONSERVATION STEPS BY DEPARTMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Thursday "Consumption of electricity in New Zealand has increased by 6 per cent a year over the past two years, in spite of intensive efforts to save it in various ways," said the chief electrical engineer of the Works Department, Mr, l'\ T. M. Kissel, in reviewing the position. During the coming winter a further increase was anticipated, he said. The department would take measures designed to relieve the strain on existing services until the contemplated new hydro-electrical undertakings were in operation The closing down of radio stations for 30 minutes at 5.15 p.m. daily had affected an appreciable saving last year and the question of increasing this period was now being considered. The use of radiators in office buildings between 4 p.m. and (3 p.m. was now prohibited until the end of September. The department, added Mr. Kissel, would shortly be launching a campaign to enlist the support of the public in power conservation. The metering of hot water electrical heaters, particularly in country districts, and, similarly, the compulsory use of thermostats in new water heaters, had effected a considerable saving. THE GREYMOIJTH BAR (0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Thursday Although loaded only to restricted draught, the Karepo is unable to leave Greymouth with coal for Wellington because of the heavy swell on the bar, which also prevented I're.sh soundings being taken this morning. The Rata sailed this morning with coal for Tarakohe, but had only 750 tons, instead of her normal load of 800 tons..