TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Per Press Association. —Copyright. Military Service. Dunedin, Fab 20 Referring to the question of the prospective calling up of the Second Division, Sir James Allen mentioned to-day that the matter .of combing out the First Division was receiving consideration. It was for this purpose that conditional exemptions only were granted in respect to appeals. In addition to the work of the Industrial Efficiency Board, all private employers and organisations are expected (o make provision for the possible calling up of essential employees. Regarding the exemption of the clergy, Sir J. Allen points out that a final exemption, is by no means granted, and farther that the Service Boards are not bound to act on the certificate of Miuisters. What has been done, has merely been as a matter of polioy. The submission of a certificate to the Boards suggesting that it would not be in the public intorest to oall into camp any clergymen, whose ecclesiastic »1 authority has declared them to be essential iu the work of the Church, Tne Minister has no power to grant exemption in any case and no exemption has been so granted. That the Boards have not always acted on the Ministerial certificate is provided in a recent case in Wellington where the Board refused conditional exemption, to clerical appellants.

A Sawmill Fire.

Dargaville, Feb 20 At 12.45 o’clock last night the firebell sounded, the alarm, and it was found that Woolsey Allan's mill was ablaze. When the brigade reached the scene the buildiDga and a large stock of timber were a mass of flames. There was no chance of saving anything. Anderson’s mill contiguous was in danger, but luckily the wind was blowing from the right quarter, and a plentiful supply of water and the heroic efforts of the brigade prevented the fire from spreading. Mr Anderson lost five hundred thousand feet of timber, part of whioh was being loaded on the barque Margra. Mr Allen’s insurance was £I9OO. Mr Anderson’s insurance is not known.)

A Serious Charge

Nelson, Feb 20

Harold George Holland, hop grower, was arrested at Belgrove to-day on charges of supplying an instrument to a woman for an unlawful purpose, and with unlawfully procuring the instrument, knowing that it was intended for an unlawful purpose.

The woman concerned was also arrested on charges of unlawfully procuring the instrument and with permitting, at Wellington, the use of the instrument on herself.

Accused were remanded for a week, bail being allowed,