TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

Per Press Association.—Copyright. Engineer Apprentices Dunedin, March 5 Besore the Military Service Board Messrs Stevenson and Cook appealed on behalf of three engineer apprentices, Harkness, Green and Dingwall. It was stated that these men had left the firm’s employ and had voluntarily ediated. They were essential workers so long as transport work was done at Port Chalmers. The Board decided to recommend to the Camp Commandant that leave be granted to the men to enable them to return to their work. On the Board giving the decision, Green said that he would refuse to return. Messrs Stevenson and Cook asked if a soldier could be compelled to do civilian work. GreeD, who said that be spoke for the other men as well, appealed to the military representative, who advised him to go into camp and to settle the other matter with the commandant. Returned. Auckland, March (i Two small parties of returned soldiers arrived to-day. . Sir James Carroll, a passenger by one of the ships, said Hon W. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are doing splendid work in the Old Country and appeared to be well in toueh with everything. Arahura Refloated. Gisborne March G The Arahara was refloated about 1 a.m. The overhaul of her engines is now proceeding. Obituary. Dunedin, March 6 The death is announced of Hon Tame Hairora Parata, M.L.C., aged 84 years. An Important Discovery. Dunedin March 6 It is stated that an important find of scheelite has been made in the Barewood district, Dunedin, A syndicate have secured the option and opened nn the reef, It is said experienced miners are of the opinion that it is the richest and most important discovery of eoheelite yet made in New Zealand,

Bay of Islands

Auckland, March 6 Mr Vernon Reed, a former, sitting member, wbo was ditljdged on petition, announces bis candidature for l the Bay of Islands seat, resigned by 1 Mr W. Stewart. i The Territorial Camp. Reef-ton, March 5 Splendid weaihor has so far favoured the Reeftou Waitahu Encampment. The camp was visited yesterday by hundreds of visitors. In the morning the soldiers marched to Reef ten and attended services in the epective churchts, and afterwards marched b<ick to camp for lunch. Tbe camp has every appearance of being a happy one, though from 6 a.m. to 8 p.ra. the day is taken up with field work and lectures on the came lines as the Dominion permanent camps. In the afternoon men are paraded for bathing. The officers in command, the charming situation of the camp on the backs of the Waitahu river, which flows alongside, the long stretch of river-plaiD, the break of bush not far distant from camp aud tbe gradual slope of terraces to the easterly side,

all favour keeping tho men in tbe beat of spirits and tend much to the happy appearance of tbe camp. The Coinmandhg Officer, Major Jeffries, aud other officers qualified lo give an opinion, and who have been present at encampments from Auckland round to Blenheim, pronounce the Waitahu as the moat ideal site in New Zealand for a training camp. Such a pronouncement ae this from men who are unbiased is indeed a tribute to the West Coast. The site is ideal and being on an old riverplain it is well carpeted with grass yet no sign of water remains on the surface ev6n after a 24 hours’ downpour. Mining Returns. Reefton, March 5 The February crushing returns for the Consolidated mines are as follows : Progress—Crushed 1850 tons, value £2086; working expenses £1999, capital £l3, development £377. Biackwat.ir—Crushed 2641 tons, value £5275, working expensss £3160

capital £97, development £752. Wealih of Nations—Crushed 1600 tons, value £2565, working expenses £1741, development £413. Leader of Liberal Party. Wellington, Maioh 5 The Hon G. W. Russell stated today that he had noticed in the various papers an announcement that an Acting Loader of the Liberal Parly in succession to the 1 te Hon Dr R/ McNab had been appointed. Toi*, he said, was incorrect, as no such appointment bad been made. Permits For Women. Wellington, March 5 The Impc-ral authorities have informed eh? Government that pi-rmi s may be issued to women to travel to American Pacific pons and South Africa, but they will not be allowed to proceed to the American danger zone.

Military Honours

Te Kuiti, March 5

At a military parade at Te Kniti a presentation of medals, iu the presence of over 300 Territorials and some thousands of residents, was made. The Hon Sir Jamas Allen p resented T. Frost, of Kelvin House, Te Kuiti, with the Frenoh decoration Croix de Gaerre, and a Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded to the late SBrgtMajor Frost, who was killed in the Somme offensive.

The Minister gave a stirring address, and referred to the Territorials’ system as the primary school at which lssaon-t were learned that enabled our men to accomplish deeds similar to which they were assembled that evening to do honor. It was a unique honor for him to have to present such distinguished medals, and while there was thß sad aide to the presentation, the lesson of self-aaori-fice by the latter officer was one the nation as a whole could profit by.

Arbitration Court. Wellington, March 5 The Arbitration Court opened today. Formal application was made in the following cases in which complete agreement has been arrived at between the parties:—Wellington slaughter* men’s dispute, Wellington painters’ dispute, Wellington bookbinders’ dispute, and typographical workers’ dispute. Iu the last mentioned case, Mr Pirani said that the application had been filed for local awards, but the agreement was for a Dominion award. The President said that there would be no difficulty about the withdrawal of local claims.