rannisnnninrnnr^iiinnnn-nnnnrin-nistiisr I'oiyn opics |i.. Construction work on the new A & P store on East Water Street has just about been completed, but delay in receiving the asphalt tile flooring material is holding up plans for the store to move to its new location, Howard Carr, manager, said yesterday. It was •irginally planned to occupy the ^ew store about October 20th. but Mr. Carr said yesterday that it would be two or three more weeks before any definite an nouncement could be made about the opening. Washington County had at least 11 representatives at the dis trict meeting of parent-teacher associations held in Manteo Mon day. Mrs. J. K Reid, of Plymouth, was on the program, and others who attended from the county in cluded County Superintendent R. F. Lowry. Mrs. K. S. Trowbridge, Mrs. H. C. Carter, Mrs. E. M. Leavitt, Mrs. J. S. Shugar and Mrs. W. H. Leary, of Plymouth; Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Morris, Mrs. E. F. Meacham, end Mrs. C. N. Davenport, sr„ of Creswell. Marvin Roberson, of the Red Hill section, plans to carry some heavier ammunition the next time he goes squirrel hunting. Last Saturday, while on such a hunt between Dardens and Jamesville over in Martin County, he sud denly found himself face-to-face with a large black bear and two smaller ones. Having only one Iwickshot shell along, he used that IR the largest bear, while the others fled. Unable to get the car cass out of the woods by himself, he got a party of bear hunters to go back for it, while he kept one of the bear’s big paws as a souvenir of the experience. Raymond Leggett, local jewel er, plans to present a set of Ma sonic officers’ jewels to the 11 officers of Perseverance Lodge, No. 59. A. F. & A. M.. next Tues day night, in memory of his fa ther, O. R. Leggett, who was an active Mas'm. The jewels are hand engraved on sterling silver. A buffet supper will be served at 7 p.m. All Master Masons, whether members of the local lodge or not, are invited to at tend. H. Marion Ramsey has returned home from a hospital in Raleigh, where he underwent a triple sur gical operation on his right foot, jjle had a similar operation on mis left foot in Jvnz ir46 V:s many friend^ w/fi be«• glad */o know that he Is at home recuper ating. Roland Hardison, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Har dison. of Dardens, killed a 10 prong buck Saturday afternoon, opening day of the new season. He was hunting with his father on Roanoke River, near Plymouth and killed the deer with a shot gun. The young hunter killed a buck last year, his father stated, but it was not nearly as large as the one he killed Saturday. -♦ Zone Meeting of Women's Societies Here on 26th -«— The fall meeting of the Wo men’s Societies of Christian Ser vice of the Plymouth zone will be held at the Plymouth Method ist Church next Wednesday, Oct . ober 26, starting at 10 a.m. Large delegations are expected to at tend from churches in Washing ton, Tyrrell, Martin, Chowan and Perquimans Counties. All women k of the church are cordially invit “ ed. Members of VFW Post To Meet Here Tonight •—♦ Member of the Bosie Bateman Post, No. 4023, Veterans of For eign Wars, will meet tonight at 8 o’clock in the courthouse, ac cording to Ralph Hunter, post commander. Further advancement of t he veterans’ building project, Armis tice Day plans, bingo games and boxing matches are subjects to be discussed by the VFW members. Ask Donations Corn To Friendship Train Plans are underway to prepare Washington County’s donation to the Christian Rural Overseas Pro gram, known as CROP, a railroad car containing shelled corn from the county, which will make up the “Friendship Train,” to dis tribute items to the needy people of Europe. Five men throughout the coun ty have been appointed by L. E. Hassell, sr., and the Rev. B. E. Bingham, county co-chairmen of the project to canvass everyone in the county. These men are: H. R. Davenport, of Scuppernong Township; Mitchner Banks, of Lees Mill Township; W. W. White, of Skinnersville Township; E. H. Liverman, Plymouth Township and C. S. Heynen, of Wenona. These CROP committeemen will go from house to house and ask for corn. However, if the person does not desire to give corn, he may donate cash or some other produce, which will be exchanged for shelled corn. Any person who is planning to donate cash to the program, may mail it to Mrs. Frances Darden, of Plymouth, secretary and treasurer of the county CROP program. Plans are to load the railroad car at Plymouth on December 3rd. Any time, money or effort spent in the loading of the car will be greatly appreciated, the chairmen said. The Roanoke Beacon ****** and Washington County News ****** A home newspaper dedicated to the service of Washington County and its 13.000 people, VOLUME LX—NUMBER 42 _ Plymouth, Washington County, North Caiolina, Thursday, October 20, 1949 ESTABLISHED 1389 23 Civil Cases Set For Superior Court Here Next Week Will Convene Monday With Judge Leo Carr, of Bur lington, Presiding; 10 Di vorce Actions Monday Twenty-three civil cases have been set for trial at the October term of the Washington County Superior Court, which will con vene here next Monday morn ing, The term is for the trial of civil cases only and is scheduled for three days, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Judge Leo Carr, of Burlington, is scheduled to preside over the court. Ten cases set for the opening day deal with suits for divorce. All the other cases are varied in nature. Three cases are on the mo tion calendar and may be tried at anytime. The calendar follows: Monday—Webster Hudson vs. Millie Hudson, Ethel Keys vs. Ivory J. Keys, Lewis Cherry vs. Alice Cherry, Russell W. Harri son vs. Mona J. Harrison, Louise L. Robinson vs. James A. Robin son, Annie Hoggard vs. Jack Hog gard, Abram V. Davenport, jr., vs. Ruth G. Davenport, Claudius McGowan vs. Louise A. McGow an. James W. Roberson vs. Ernes tine Roberson. Herbert H. Hardi son vs. Edna Earl Hardison, Ed ward L. Owens vs. N. S. Railway Company. Edward L. Owens vs. N. S. Railway Company, and Ro telia Kenny, et al vs. Henry J. Woolard. Tuesday—W. H. Oliver vs. C. E. Ayers. Pacific Fire Insurance Company vs. C. E. Ayers, J. S. Shugar vs. Seaton Davenport and H. C. Cutrell, J. D. Vick vs. Wil bur Davenport, et al. Wednesday—Pearlie Lee Phelps vs. Willie Wilkins Winfield, et al. Motion Calendar—Philip Vail vs. J. T. Bateman, George Sitter son, et al vs. J. T. Bateman, In re: the will of Mamie Hassell, and O. A. Chesson vs. Rufus Hopkins. -4 Wm. M. Sawyer funeral Monday Funeral services were held for William Monroe Sawyer, 53. of Plymouth, husband of Mrs. Lil lian Sawyer, from the Holly Neck Christian Church Monday after noon at 3:30 o'clock. Interment was in the church cemetery. The Rev. Walter Armstrong, pastor, conducted the services. Mr. Sawyer died at his home near The Pines at 2:45 a.m. last Saturday. His health had de clined for the past year, and he had been confined to his bed for the past three months. Son of the late William and Martha Saw yer, of Washington Co., he was born in Tyrrell County on Janu ary 5, 1896, and moved to this county as a youth. He came to Plymouth from Roper about five years ago, to work in the plant of the True Temper Corporation. He farmed while living in Roper. He married Miss Lillian Has sell, of Roper, on March 24, 1928. He was a regular attendant of the Holly Neck Christian Church un til he became too ill to attend. Besides his wife, Mr. Sawyer is survived by one son, Warren, and two daughters, Minnie Mae and Louise Sawyer, all of the home. -4 Plan Homecoming Service At Long Acre Next Sunday Homecoming services are sche duled to be held at the Long Acre Chapel Christian Church next Sunday. The Rev. Harold Tyer, pastor, plans to be in charge of the services. The public is cor dially invited to attend. Hog tliolcra C ausing (oneern to Producers Hog cholera is causing: con cern among swine producers in Washington County, it was learned this week from County Farm Agent W. V. Hays. Mr. Hays said he had been vaccin ating hogs steadily for the past week, using about a case of ser um daily. Each case of serum will vaccinate approximately 120 hogs, he stated. The farm agent said that di sease thus far seems to center around the Pea Ridge, Cres well and Newlands sections, with an outbreak reported a few days ago just over the line in Beaufort County, near We nona. A number of hogs have been lost in the county. The serum is regarded as a positive preventative for chol era, but it is not always effect ive where the disease is already prevailing, especially in its lat ter stages. Some hogs have been cured by use of the serum, it is stated, but usually when the disease is in its early stages. Veterinarians and students from veterans’ agriculture classes are helping with the vaccinating, Mr. Hays stated. Rainy Season Hurts Many County Crops Lions Club Will Meei ai School The Plymouth Lions Club wil hold its weekly meeting to night at 7 o’clock in the high school lunchroom, it was an nounced yesterday. All mem bers are urged and advised to attend; if for no other reason, to hear about what has happen ed to those who failed to be present at the last meeting of the club. Louis K. Day, of Rocky Mount, governor of Lions Dis trict No. 31-C, 'was principal speaker at the session last week. He made an interesting talk on Lionism, interspersing it with some humorous stories. He also outlined the plan of organiza tion of Lions International and various features of the organi zation's work. Estimate Dozen Deer Killed in County First Day Fewer Hunters Take Part Than Usual, According to Game Protector; Several Non-Resident Parties -« Squirrels gained a respite from hunters last week-end, when the deer season opened Saturday, and the huntsmen took to the river, swamps and woods after the larg er game. Not as many persons partici pated in opening-day deer hunt ing as in previous years, accord ing to J. T. Terry, county game protector. He said this was be cause of reports before the deer season opened that many deer were dying throughout the state from some unknown disease. However, after he made a check in this county, he found no evi dences of the disease killing deer. Mr. Terry estimates that about a dozen deer were killed in the county last Saturday. He was unable to make an accurate re port, as no records are kept. Those known killed were bagged in the Wenona and Turnpike sec tions and up Roanoke River. He said that hunters seemed to be covering more of the county this year and not gathering at the same places as much as they did previously. Four bear were also reported to have been victims of hunters on opening day. A number of people from oth er sections hunted in the county over the week-end, and there were at least three out-of-state parties. A group of hunters from Tennessee, who have been com ing to this section for the past several years, again visited the county. Then there were parties from Ohio and Illinois here on their first trips. The game war den said another hunting group from Illinois was expected to ar rive this week-end. -♦ Roper Youth Held for Breaking and Entering -♦ James William Edward Owens, 17, colored, of Roper, is being held in the Washington County jail on probable cause of break ing, entering and larceny, found in county recorder’s court here Tuesday morning. His bond has been fixed at $1,000. He is charged with breaking and entering the house of Cora Graves, colored, in Roper and lar ceny of personal property of A. J. Strong, her grandson. Owens was still in bed when arrested by Robert Sawyer, Roper chief of police, Monday morning. Picking of Peanuls Getting Underway With Advent Of Windy, Cooler Spell Yesterday -♦ The cool, windy weather that prevailed yesterday for the first time in recent weeks revived the hopes of farmers waiting to be gin picking peanuts, according to County Agent W. V. Hays. A few had started picking, anyway, but it has been too wet and too warm in most instances. The quality of peanuts is said to be the best in years, but the yield is another matter, varying according to the nature of the soil and the rotation plan fol lowed, Mr. Hays said. The yield is best on light, sandy soils, while ranges up to very poor on ex tremely heavy clay types of land. There has been entirely too much moisture throughout the growing season for a good crop and a heavy yield. The government support prices for peanuts this year averages around IOV2 cents, depending on the grade. The farm agent said that pos sibly two-thirds of a normal to bacco crop was realized this year, certainly not over that figure. Some of the best farmers had al most total crop failures, accord ing to Mr. Hays, while a few re port that they had exceptionally good crops. Practically all the tobacco in the county has been sold, which is a good thing, as quite a number of markets are closing this week. The price av erage for the season will be un der 50 cents a pound. Some soy beans are beginning to move to market, with farmer’s stock bringing about $2 per bush el. The weather has been too wet for this crop, also, and soy beans as a whole are said to be disappointing to growers this sea son. The corn crop in the county is reported to be fairly good, al though there has been some dam age where the crop was “beat down" by excessive rain. “Brown spot,” a plant disease that has in creased noticebly since hybrid va rieties of seed have come into general use, is said to be causing some loss. Agronomists are hop ing to develop a strain that is re sistant to the “brown spot” dis ease, but Mr. Hays says this is possibly a year or more away. The farm agent said that check ing on results for the 100-bushel corn contest was to begin this week. Plenty of farmers will have yields ranging from 70 to 100 bushels to the acre, he stated, but only about a dozen or so are expected to pass the 100-bushel mark, due to too much rain again. J. E. Davenport Heads New Firm J. E. Davenport, of Mackeys, this week announces the opening of a' new storage warehouse in Plymouth. Located on the Nor folk Southern Railroad and the new section of Highway No. 64, several blocks west of the inter section with Highway 32, the new building was completed in time to handle peanuts and soy beans of the 1949 crop. Mr. Davenport announces that he will buy peanuts and soy beans, as well as handle govern ment storage of peanuts. He will also sell wood and coal, fertiliz ers and lime of all kinds. He is a lormer partner in the f armers Cotton & Peanut Company here, and has been engaged in buying produce and selling fertilizers in the county for a number of years. Mr. Davenport also announced that H. L. Davenport, of Skin nersville, would be his agent in that section of the county for the purchase of soy beans, and they invite county farmers to get in touch with them before selling. Hazards on School Bus Routes Being Checked in County Only Three Reported on Nine Routes Surveyed So Far; Ordered by County Board of Education Three road hazards on Wash ington County school bus routes have been reported to County Superintendent Roy F. Lowry within the past few days, it was learned yesterday at the office of the board of education. The list of danger points is being forward ed to state highway officials for correction, he stated. Reports on school bus hazards existing in this county were re quested by Mr. Lowry in a letter mailed to all principals last week. The letter contained instructions aimed at preventing a Washington County school bus tragedy similar to the recent one in Nash County, where seven children were killed and 14 injured. Up to yesterday Mr. Lowry had received reports from two prin cipals, covering 9 of the 26 bus routes in the county. The princi pals were also notified of the seating capacity of each of the buses being operated and they were directed to arrange for ad ditional trips if the buses were being overloaded. An overload of 25 per cent of the rated seating capacity of each bus is allowed by state regulations. Enclosed with the letters to principals were maps of the coun ty, and each principal was direct ed to mark the location of any road hazards discovered on the map and return it to the county superintendent. The three hazards reported thus far are said to be minor in nature, and corrective steps are expected to be taken in the immediate future. Mrs. Ellie West Funeral Sunday Funeral services for Mrs. Ellie West, widow of the late John T. West, of Plymouth, were held from the Horner Funeral Home Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, with the Rev. J. D. Waters, of the local Christian church, in charge, assisted by the Rev. Paul B. Nickens, pastor of the local Bap tist church. Interment followed in the Windley cemetery. Mrs. West died suddenly Friday night about 11:45 o’clock at the home of one of her daughters, Mrs. Minnie Davenport, of Eliza beth City. She was 64 years of age. Daughter of the late Richard D. and Martha Spruill Bunch, of Chowan County, she was born in that county on December 2, 1880. Married to the late John T. West, of Plymouth, she spent most of her life in Washington County, and only two weeks ago left to make her home with her daugh ter in Elizabeth City. For many years she was a member of the Plymouth Christian church. Mrs. West is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Minnie Daven port, of Elizabeth City; Mrs. Roy Cooper, of Jamesville; and Mrs. P. H. Roberts, of Windsor; three sons, Tom. John E. and Richard D. West, all of Plymouth; and one brother, R. E. Bunch, of Jar visburg. -1 Visits Reduced by Area Rent Officer T. G. Bunting, representative of the Goldsboro Area Rent Con trol office, will be at the F. II. A. office in the courthouse every other Friday, starting with Fri day of next week, October 28. His hours on the days he is here are from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Mr. Bunting succeeds John Proctor, of the Greenville office, who has been coming to Plym outh every Thursday. Due to re duction in appropriations for maintenance of rent controls, it has been necessary to reduce the personnel engaged in this work, which accounts for the longer in terval between visits here. Rent controls on residential property are still in effect in the town of Plymouth, but the re mainder of the county was de controlled some time ago. Peanut Growers May Call For Marketing Cards Now All farmers who have planted peanuts to sell this year must have marketing cards before tak ing them to market, according to information received from the county Triple-A office. The AAA office now has the cards ready for growers, and they may call for them at any time. Architects Appointed for School Building Program I' Meeting of Baseball Fans ( ailed Monday An important meeting of the stockholders of the Plymouth Athletic Association, operators of the Plymouth franchise in the Albemarle League, will be held next Monday night, Presi dent A. J. Riddle announced yesterday. The meeting will be held at the Legion Hall and will start at 8 o’clock. Mr. Riddle said that plans for the next year must be dis cussed and decision reached as to whether the local club will be operated again. The past sea son will be reviewed and other matters discussed. It is import ant that all those interested in baseball again be present, and all stockholders are urged to at tend. Mr. Riddle said that a meet ing of league officials was to be held later next week to decide on whether or not the league will attempt operation again next year, and it is necessary that officials of the local club know how sentiment here is before making any commit ments. Halloween Event I Plans Talked at Meeting of PTA -* 'Farmers' Market' and Car nival on Program for Oc tober 31; Use Funds for Improving Grounds Members of the Plymouth Par ent-Teacher Association met in the high-school auditorium yes terday afternoon to develop ways and means to raise money for the completion of the sidewalks on the school grounds and beautify the yards, open the school library for student and teacher use. and report other business activities. Further details of the associa tions' “Farmers' Market Day” and the Halloween carnival, to be held on Monday, October 31, were announced by Mrs. H. C. Carter and Mrs. W. J. Mayo, co-chairmen of the event. Proceeds will go Ao the ground-improvement fund. Donations of some kind of farm products are being asked for the children to sell at the market. Students should bring the non perishable products to school on Thursday, October 27, and perish able goods should be brought on Monday mornftig, October 31. The market is to be located on the vacant lot next to the home economics building. In case of rain, the market will be set up in the gym. The market will be open from 10 a.m. until all the products are sold or until the car nival begins at 7:30 p.m. in the gym. Plymouth residents are re quested to patronize the market to boost the funds for improving the school grounds. At 7:30 p.tn.. the annual Hal loween carnival will begin in*the gymnasium. At 8:30 the best cos tumed boy and girl will receive cash prizes of $1 each. The grades at the Hampton school and Hamp ton Annex will be in charge of the food concessions, while each of the other grades through the high school will have a booth. Proceeds of the carnival also will be used for ground improvements. In an effort to keep the library open in the high-school building, Mrs. J. S. Fleming, head of the library committee, asked for par ents to volunteer as librarians. (See PTA MEET, Page 12) -* Creswell Juniors To Present Play -4 Creswell.—The Junior Class of Creswell High School will pre sent its annual play, "Don’t Take My Penny,” Friday night of this week, October 21, in the high school auditorium at 8 o’clock. Mrs. T. D. Woodley and Miss Ma tilda Alexander are directing the production. The public is urged to attend. The cast of characters follows: Sally, a maid with a purpose, Janice Spruill; Norman Porter, a publicity man. Dallas Davenport; Penny, a pretty little miss, Mitzi Phelps; Caleb, her absorbed fath er, Maurice Oliver: Mark, her farm-minded brother, Edward Sawyer; Mavis, her attractive sis ter, Ruth Holton; Lydia, her busy mother, Renia Mae Phelps; Joan na, her loyal girl friend, Ann Moore: Kerry, her resourceful boy friend, A. W. Alexander; Greg, his pal with ideas, Jon Barnes: Gram, just herself, Mari lyn Spruill: Monsieur Henri, a French designer, Joseph Hopkins; Claire, Elsie, Lucile, pretty mod els, Marjorie Tarkington, Mary Estelle Woodley, Dora Lee Am brose; Red, a delivery boy, Jim my Davenport; Harrison Day, a young author. j 26th Pay Day ior j j School Teachers j Next Wednesday, October 26, is pay day for school teachers in the county, their second of the current term, it was learn ed yesterday at the office of the county board of education. It should also serve to stimulate business in the county to some extent, since more than $30,000 in checks are to be distributed. The county has a total of 107 teachers and supervisory per sonnel, and the total payroll for the first school month amount ed to S30.265.10. The amount paid out for the second month will be about the same, pos sibly a little larger, it was stat ed. Waller R. Swain Passes in Roper Walter R. Swain, prominent Roper citizen and husband of Mrs. Nettie M. Swain, died at his home last Friday morning about 1 o'clock. He was 73 years of age and had been in declining health for four years, although he had been confined to his bed for only one day. The funeral was held from the late home Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, with the Rev. B. E. Bingham. Methodist minister, of Roper, in charge. Interment fol lowed in the Zions Chapel cem etery. Son of the late John and Har riett Davis Swain, of Washington County, he was born in the coun ty on June 6, 1876, and lived in the same section all of his life. He was married to Miss Nettie Mae Knowles, of Mackeys, who survives him. Mr. Swain was a well known farmer in the Roper section of the county and for many years was a member of the Saints De light Christian church, the Roper Ruritan Club, and he also had served on the town board of com missioners. About six years ago he was injured when a horse ran away with him, and he had lived in semi-retirement since that time. Besides his widow, he is sur vived by one daughter, Mildred R. Swain, of Roper; one son. Bar ton Swain, of Roper; one brother, McCoy Swain, of Pittsburgh, Pa.: and two sisters, Mrs. B. C. Bray and Mrs. T. R. Chesson, of the Westover section. -4 Donkey Baseball Game Set Here October 28th The Plymouth Lions Club is making arrangements to sponsor a donkey baseball game Friday, October 28, at 8 p.m., in the local baseball park. Members of the Lions Club will meet a team of Plymouth All Stars. Proceeds from the game will go to the Lions’ activity fund. Leslie N. Boney and Sons, Of Wilmington, Already At Work on Tentative Proposals -* The Washington County Board of Education last week employed the firm of Leslie N. Boney & Sons. Wilmington architects, to plan and supervise the school building program to be undertak en soon in the county. Their selec tion followed a conference here last Friday between board mem bers and the elder Mr. Boney and one of his sons, Leslie N. Boney, jr.. who made a preliminary sur vey of conditions and needs in the county. The Wilmington firm has had considerable experience in design ing and constructing school build ings. one of the local officials stating that it probably had done more of this type of work than any other similar firm in the state. They have already started work on tentative plans, according to information received this week, and it is expected they will have preliminary sketches ready for consideration at an early meeting of the board of education. County school authorities em phasize that work now being done is purely tentative, and that a definite program will be deter mined only after estimates of the cost can be brought into line with the amount of money expected to be available. However, the sug gestions made by the survey com mittee appointed by the state de partment of education are being followed as closely as possible, it was stated. The architects were asked to begin work on tentative plans for a new colored school building at ■Roper, which will include 22 classrooms, in addition to rooms for a home economics depart ment. science department, library, industrial arts department, and possibly a band room, as well as a combination auditorium and gymnasium. Under the plan of consolidation recommended by the survey committee, this build ing will serve 480 elementary pupils of District 2. and 256 high school pupils from all parts of the county. The number of pupils 7s^TARCHITECTS^~Pag^ 12) -f New Man Heads County Soil Work Harry E. Newlands has been named soil conservationist for the Washington County unit of the Pamlico District, it was an nounced this week. He will main tain his office in the Agriculture Building in Plymouth and work in the county with the county supervisors. Mr. Newland has been soil con servationist for Davidson County for the past 12 years. He is a graduate of Purdue University, Lafayette. Ind., and has taken graduate work at Cornell Uni versity, Ithaca, N. Y. The new conservationist plans to bring his wife to Plymouth as soon as they can find a house. He succeeds Donald B. Jones, who re signed here to take a job with the Bureau of Agriculture Eco nomics in Raleigh. -+ Band io Play at Even! in Williamston Next Week The Plymouth High School Band will make its second out of-town trip of the school year next Wednesday by going to Wil liamston to participate in the an ual Harvest Festival Parade. Two weeks ago the band marched and played in Tarboro for the 4-H Day program. Members of the band will leave at 12:30 p.m. by bus for William ston. The parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. County Liquor Sales Decline Last Month Sales in the Washington County ABC stores followed the trend of stores throughout the state last month by selling considerably less liquor than during September in 1948, accord to Robert Winston, of Raleigh, state ABC chairman. Sales in the county totaled $15, 029.15 last month, against $19, 312.10 a year ago. For the entire state, liquor stores sold $3,882, 997. 05 worth of alcoholic beverages in Septem ber, compared to $4,023,137.65 during the same month last year. In only five counties were sales reported up from 1948. The 3.5 per cent decline in state liquor sales during Septem ber came after a five per cent drop in August, an eight per cent drop in July, a five per cent drop in June and a nine per cent drop in May, all compared to the same months last year. ABC officials say the declines reflect the down ward turn in general economic conditions.