MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 156, 21 March 1918, Page 6

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

MINISTER OF LANDS VISITS RAETIHI. By' Telegrrapii—Frees Association. Feilding, March 20. The Hon. D. H. Guluric, Minister of Lands, has cancelled all local engagements and gone to Itaetihi district, owing to tlic seriousness of the devastating fires there. He has instructed experts of the Land's Department to get on the spot immediately and roji'ler any advico necessary, and jilaqe their services at the disposal of Bottlers. WANGANUI'S WATER SUPPLY. Wanganui, March 19. While Waimarino was being eaten by tiro there was a similar visitation i tin , Oiioiui district, where is situated the source of Wangamii's water supply. A large amount, of timber in the catchment area- has been destroyed; also tho taretiiker's hut and tho roadmenders' whores. Tho people had a narrow escape, having to take refuge for thrco hours in a cutting. It w;\s feared that *he town's water supply had been out off, the main having bcuu reported to be broken, 'out late tonight it was ascertained that the pipe track was all right, the stoppage heing due to the intake valve having been displaced by the gale.

The latest news from Waimarino is that heavy rain is faliing.

Telegraph communication with Ohakuno was restored yesterday afternoon from the Auckland end, but transmission was necessarily slow to Wellington owing to the delay consequent upon the transmitting work to be done, and the congestion on the wire. It was' not known when clear communication between Wellington and Ohakune would be restored.

There was no communication possiblo with stations north of Wanganui yesterday afternoon, but it was anticipated that tho line through to N«w Plymouth would be restored during the day.

The 'Railway ..Department is keeping faith with tho public, with.a minimum of inconvenience to passengors. The north-bound train was able to get through on Tuesday, and the train bringing on the Auckland passengers arrived here yesterday at 1.23 p.m., only fifteen minutes behind schedule time.

Tuesday's north-bound express remained at Ohakuno for several hours until the lino was reported to be safe. The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) was on board the train, and made inquiries as to the extent of the damage. As Minister of Lands he wired, the Under-Secretary to instruct the Crown land rangers to repair immediately to the scene of disaster and render all aid within their power.