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MANCHESTER EYEWITNESS
ISSUE NUMBER 14 SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, 1947


British Dominions are hand-picking their emigrants. A team of industrial experts will visit towns all over the country, including Manchester, where they will examine would-be emigrants. Ontario is the keenest of the Canadian Provinces to attact settlers and is planning a scheme on a carefully selected basis. "No misfits" is the slogan of the South African team.

An advert appeared in local newspapers this week giving details to Manchester residents of how they can obtain their new ration books. Distribution has been arranged by initial of surname, and the ration books are to be collected during June and July at schools and community centres all over Manchester, Salford, Stretford, and Failsworth.

Residents must take their identity cards with them. There are also special arrangements for expectant mothers who hold green ration books. Food facts will tell people what to do after they receive their new Ration Book.

Traffic jams are causing serious problems in Cheadle High-street. The "Cheadle Crawl" begins at East Didsbury, where two lines of traffic - one from Wilmslow Road, the other from Kingsway - come together to form the narrow road to Cheadle Green.

Of course, this problem shouldn't exist, as the Kingsway by-pass is supposed to extend through to Gatley Station. So far only a few hundred yards on the Manchester side have been completed. The scheme is said to have some priority, but it may be many years yet until the congestion is alleviated.

Other Manchester bottlenecks include the area in front of Manchester Cathedral, where six streams of traffic come together: from Deansgate, Victoria-street, Cateaton-street, Great Ducie-street, Victoria Bridge-street and Exchange Station approach. There are no traffic lights at the junction.

There is also frequent traffic congestion at the junction of Barton Road and Chester Road, Old Trafford.

On Friday, the Deputy City Coroner, Dr Stanley Hodgson described the road junction at Ardwick Green, Manchester as "Accident Corner". He was recording a verdict of accidental death at the Manchester inquest on 73 year old Joseph Kidd, of Brunswick-street, Chorlton on Medlock, who was knocked down and killed by a motor-coach.

Four people were feared killed as the Wellington Mill, Hazel Grove, Stockport, collapsed in flames after a huge fire on Thursday afternoon. The four men were entombed under tons of burning cotton bales and rubble. The fire broke out in the cardroom in a blowing machine on the second floor. Firemen rushed from Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Hyde, and other nearby towns.

It is the third anniversary of the night when the 6th British Airborne Division of Parachute and Glider Troops crossed the English channel to land in Normandy, on one of the first of the D-Day landings. During the War, the Parachute Regiment trained at Ringway, and in honour of the Regiment's role, a book will apear shortly entitled "Prelude to Glory" . It is written by Group Captain Maurice Newnham.

Butlins have been advertising in the local press, and urge readers to send for their brochure "Holidays at Butlin's". They now have five holiday camps by the sea with all attractions in full swing. The nearest one to Manchester is in Pwllheli, North Wales.

Those looking for entertainment closer to home can go to Belle Vue "showground of the world" which is open daily from 10 am. Some of the attractions are: Speedway Saturdays at 7.00, Wrestling every Wednesday and Saturday at 7.00, Dancing daily 3.00 and 6.30, Boxing Monday June 9th, Kane v Medina, London v Shaw, There is also a huge amusement park, with zoo, gardens and a boating lake.

Temperatures reached 82.5 degrees during the afternoon on Monday, only half a degree less than the previous Thursday's "heat wave" maximum. A reading of 89 degrees was recorded at Kew, the highest since recording was begun there 80 years ago.


And here are some of the national headlines this week

500 hundred housewives invaded Westminster on Friday to protest about restrictions placed on them by cuts in food rations, clothing, electricity, coal and gas.

It is believed that Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade and Viscount Montgomery, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, received envelopes posted in Italy containing explosive powder.

New Zealand has offered to pay the passages of all British ex-Forces men and women who wish to emigrate. For others it will pay costs, less £10.

Text and photos by Aidan O'Rourke

Based on reports in the Manchester Evening News

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