LATE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1917, Page 1

LATE NEWS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT], Australian News. SIDNEY, Jan. s.—The Income Tax Commissioners are conducting a most careful combing out campaign, with special officers scouring all cornels of the State. Those who escaped making returns for previous years are likely to strike trouble. m rnrnmamt Shearers’ Appeal. WELLINGTON, Jan. 4. In appearing before the Military Service Board on behalf of shearers who appealed against inclusion in the lists of men balloted for service, Dir Grayndler, secretary of the Agricultural and Past, oral Workers’ Union, asked for a denfiite statement as to their position as regards being called up under the Military Service Act. He said tnat there was a scarcity of labour in the pastoral industry, and pointed to tne fact that wool was considered indispensiblo by the Imperial authorities for carrying on the war, and expressed a hope that the Board would jnabe a definite pronouncement that shearers should he exempt from military service. He suggested that shearers of not less than two years’ standing should be exempt. There was a shortage of shearers owing to tho number who had gone to tho war voluntarily. The chairman said that the Board had no power to formulate such a policy as asked for, though members would welcome such a ruling, as it would enable them to cope quickly with cases. Appeals must be dealt with on their merits.

A Big Fire. HAMILTON, Jan. 5. A terrific fire is at present raging in Hamilton, tho whole factory being ablaze. The conflagration started at fivo o’clock and it is supposed to have originated in the engine room. Within ten minutes the factory was a seething mass of flames and with a strong wind blowing tongues of fire leaped across the intervening road and took hold of large stacks of dried timber which quickly developed into a sea of fire. The premises and yards occupy about-eight acres, and at the time of wiring the occupants of dwellings nearby are removing tlieir furniture, while efforts were being made to save' the large hulk store of the Loan and Mercantinc Co., in the station yard which adjoins. Later. The factory was completely demolished the only thing left standing being the strong-room with its doors intact. The most serious feature is tlio destruction of large stocks of butter-box timber which requires to be of a special quality and thoroughly seasoned. As Ellis and Burnard are the biggest butter-box manufacturers in the North Island, many factories are likely to suffer in consequence though tho firm is send mg down a special staff of workmen to their King Country mills to endeavour to fulfill orders. There was a good deal of manufactured joinery on the premises, and at last assessment the stock was valued at £25,000 which is totally destroyed. The stock and premises are insured for about £IOOO mainly in the Commercial Upjoa,