LOCAL AND GENERAL

Chronicle (Levin), 20 July 1946, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Land BaJlot In a land ballot at Ohakune yesterday under the Rehabilitation Department's scheme of land settlement, there were eight applicants for five sections. Mr. J. Briley, of Awatea Street, Palmerston North, was one of the successful applicants, securing an area of 182 acres. Cement From Australia Hon A. H. Nordmeyer, answering Mr. W. Sullivan in Parliament yesterday, said that within the last few months more than 3000 tons of cement had been distributed through the Building Controller to almost 20 firms throughout New Zealand. The cost of the cement landed at Auckland had waried between £8 10s 8d to £8 19s per ton. Renewal of Drivers' Licenses A total of over 2350 drivers' licenses have been issued by the Horowhenua County Council and the Levin Borough Council to date, approximately 1500 by the county and 850 by the borough. There are still over 80 to be renewed, either through the holders' intention not to renew, or from forgetfulness. Thirty-two drivers of and over the age of 70 have been tested by Traffic Inspectors Kehoe and Peters, and none failed to pass the tests. Lorry Runs Into Bus A lorry struck the back of a stationary railways bus on the Hutt Road shortly before noon yesterday. Two bus .passengers were removed to hospital. The impact telescoped the back of the bus for a considerable length. The lorry, owned by the McFarlane Transport Company and driven by Mr. Bernard StrodePenny, had the left front mudguard torn from it, but otherwise did not appear to be extensively damaged. At the time of the collision the bus was carrying approximately 25 passengers. Sitting of Supreme Court There will be two criminal cases for trial at a sitting of the Supreme Court which opens in Palmerston North on July 22. Four civil cases are set down for hearing before a judge and jury and five civil cases. are for hearing before a judge alone. One defended divorce case is set down for hearing before a judge and jury and five other defended cases are set down for hearing before a judge alone. There are '14 undefended divorce cases, five cases that come under • the Family Protection. Act, orje ; under the Trustee Act: and thr^e appeals dealing with separatioh, maintenance and affiliation orders. Wanganui's Gas Supply For the third consecutive day the gas supply was completely cut oif in Wanganui yesterday afternoon between 1.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Describing the coal situation at the works as desperate, the engineer and manager, Mr. W. J. Stone, said that 50 per cent. of the plant might have to shut„down to-day. If eoal did not arrlve within two days, Wanganui might be without gas. No advice has been received regarding the departure from Greymouth of the steamer Holmlea, which has 600 tons of coal on board for Wanganui. She is one of the vessels involved in the dispute over lighting and heating. "If we heard that the Holmlea was about to leave Greymouth, we w.ould not shut down a portion of our plant- on Saturday," said Mr. Stone. The Butter Ration An assurance that the butter ration in New Zealand would not be increased while Great Britain was short of fats was given by Mr. Fraser when answering Mr. A. S. Sutherland in the Hous^ yesterday. Mr. Fraser said that no suggestion ! of that kind had been made in any j quarter, as far as he was aware. I The resolution of the Auckland j Waterside Workers' Union suggestj ed nothing of the kind, but was a j direct reference to the diversion of I some butter from Great Britain to the United States. Apparently the inference was drawn erroneously fchat in the circumstances of less butter being sent to Britain, the urgency of the need must have decreased. The fact that an equivalent amount of fats had to. be made available for the people ofi Britain before the British Government could possibly. agree to the sale of butter to the United States, apparently had not been appreciated.