MS Word files translate, but curiouslyŠ!

Regularly receive MS WOrd ".doc" files from local authority and one or 
two private individuals. I use a G5 iMac and these open in AppleWorks 6 
using MacLink Plus as installed from the supplied software DVDs.

SOME of ,docs these translate perfectly into a straight, 
viewable/printable form in Appleworks. 

SOME split paragraphs into "boxed" sections throughout the document, 
with words irrationally split between each section (e.g. "Thi" [BOX 
HORIZONTAL LINE] [NEW BOX] "s isŠ"

SOME print a page or two of gibberish alphanumerics & symbols, then the 
intended text, then many pages (10­30 pages sometimes) of the same 
gibberish.

(a) why?, and (b) any way of coping with this other than heavy editing 
before printing out 30 pages of garbage just to print out a half-page 
text document?

TIA,

Suilven