LOCAL AND GENERAL

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1948, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There was a fair attendance at the monthly meeting of Rapahoe W.1., at the hall on Tuesday evening, Mrs Noble presiding, and one new member was received. The roll call was Butter-saving Suggestions. The motto, When in Doubt, Mind Your Own Business, was read by Mrs Thompson. The wandering shilling was won bv Mrs Avery. Competitions resulted: sugarbag article, Mrs Stratford 1; Mrs Elwood 2. Plain scones: Mrs Sweeney 1; Mrs Tangney 2. A shop game was won by Mrs Howard. The social half-hour was spent in games. The hostesses were Mesdames Thompson, Wilson and Tangney.

The special express to Christchurch which left Greymouth at 12.15 o’clock this morning was heavily booked,and many passengers who were unable to secure seats on •yesterday afternoon’s rail-car, booked seats on the express. With the long week-end occasioned by the King’s Birthday, many people are taking the opportunity to travel. At 11 o’clock last evening four carriages had been booked and a full train drew away from the station in the face of a proper “Barber” in the early hours. i

The Grey River Argus will be published as usual on Monday' next (King’s Birthday), but will not be published on Tuesday, June 8.

The heaviest “Barber” of the winter months descended upon the business area of Greymouth early last evening. Visibility was considerably reduced and traffic had to proceed warily. The maximum temperature yesterday was 55.7 degrees and in the afternoon bright sunsnine gave way to a dull and cloudy morning. Last evening’s temperatures were noticeably lower.

The first shipment of onions to be sent from New Zealand to the United Kingdom, left Wellington for London by the Coptic yesterday. She carried about 100 tons..

There was a large attendance at a ball held at the Nurses’ Home. Grey River Hospital, on Thursday niffiit, under the auspices of the student nurses’ Association, to raise funds for recreational facilities for the nurses. The Matron (Miss N Moffat), medical, nursing and executive staffs, with beard members, and guests and visitors’ from other towns were among these present. Many ox the frocks were ultra-smart, off-the-shoulder necklines, being featured with models -in latest fashions. The new look appeared in a modified form —slightly-padded hips, or the suggestion of a bustle, but skirl lengths were, in all cases, to the floor. Materials for the gowns varied from chiffon, pliant georgette and lace, to shining folds of satin andtaffeta ,and the crisp simplicity of organdie and Swiss Muslin. An excellent supper was served b v the nurses and a very pleasant evening was spent by ali.

The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, announced that, with the object of facilitating travel between the respective countries, an agreement for mutual abolition of visas for travel between New Zealand and Sweden would some into force vn July 1.

The Gisborne-Motuhora railway has, after nearly three weeks of constant flood damage repair work been re-opened as far as Puha, and it is expected that the line will be completely restored about the middle oi the month.

I-lave you seen Jeff’s new bar ? Empire Hotel, Ross.—Advt. At a meeting of the Cobden Ratepayers’ and Citizens' Association, a appointed to survey a proposed children s playing area with the object of organising a community centie, reported that because of unfavourable weather it had not been able to complete its programme, rne committee asked further time to complete its work. It was resolved that a meeting be held in a fortnight’s time to receive the committee’s report. It was reported that drains in Sturge and Cardwell streets required attention. A complaint as to the tethering of a horse in the street was referred to the Borough Council.

Desertion from the Blue Star Line Motor Ship, Sydney Star, at Wellington on May was admitted by two British seamen, Norman Alfred Stephen Holme, aged 24 years, and John McKenzie, aged 25 years, who appeared before Messrs M. J. Fogarty and J. North, J.’sP., at the Greymouth Police Court yesterday morning. Senior-Sergeant Mcßobie said the men had come straight to the West Coast and boarded at a hotel until they had learned the ship had left the Dominion. They had given the usual excuse that conditions on the ship were bad, and that they had wished to stay in tne country. Mr J. W. Hannan, for the informant, the Blue Star Line, said he had been instructed to request that the maximum penalty be imposed. The court would realise the expense companies were put to and delays caused to the whole transport system of New Zealand by the shortage of seamen. The accused were each sentenced to a month’s imprisonment.

It’s war! Yes, the Westland Laundry Ltd., have declared war on wash-day drudgery and are now calling for recruits in the anti-drudgery campaign. Don’t feel as though you have been put through the wringer yourself—-send all your heavy washing to the Westland Laundry—the snowy perfection of our work sp-'v, for itself—and our prices are decidedly reasonable. Careful attention is given to separating different colours and whites, and all washing goes into seven different waters ensuring clean and hygienic treatment. ’Phone 136. The Westland Laundry Ltd. Depot. Sam McAra. —Advt.

Hon. R. Semple intends during the coming session of Parliament to have a screening for all members of a film of the Haast Pass road route which was taken by Mr W. D. Frazer for the Canterbury Automobile Association, which has had a screening of it at Christchurch for the Minister. Writing to the Westland District Progress League, Mr Frazer stated the film favourably impressed Mr Semple, who said it told the story in a much better manner than he had been able to do, adding: “We have spent a lot of money down there”, but he was disappointed that the job had not before now been completed. Mr Frazer added: “It seems as though we have reason to be hopeful, so keep the pot boiling”.

Two suspected cases of poliomyelitis were yesterday reported. One was admitted to the Wellington hospital, but diagnosis is still awaited. The patient is a child of nine from Wellington. The other case is at Gisborne, a girl of 5s years' —Press Assn.

Mr A. V. Thompson, Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of Australia and New Zealand, 1.0.0. F.. and a member of the Australian Federal Parliament, arrived by air yesterday, at Auckland, en route to Christchurch to attend a conference of Oddfellows and to report on the conference he attended at Baltimore, U.S.A.