Grass Fires.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1917, Page 3

Grass Fires.

Wellington, Match 14 The long dry spell has had the efj C g feet of parching the hills surrounding ly the city and many grass fires at variiy ous times have caused anxiety to L d suburban residents. To-day the populous locality of Khandallah 10 had its turn. Beginning with an outbreak in the grass beside the railway, apparently originating from a locomotive spark, the flames spread rapidly and threatened • many residences. A willing band Boon • was organised into fire fighting unit's i and stemmed the advance of the fiamj ing avalanche. One honse, owned by i Mr Palmer, now in camp, was de* i strayed, and the Town Hall and Capl tain M’Arthur's residence nearly • shared the same fate. The city Fire Brigade’s chemical engine went out i and mounted police also assisted. The worst danger is now past, but watchi fulness still is necessary. , Teachers and the Ballot. | Auckland, March 15 The attitude of the Board of Education towards the exemption of teachers, was defined during consideration of a request to support pa appeal made by the commitiee of a country school on behalf of a head master, It was claimed that the sohool had benefited greatly through the good work and influence of the teacher, and the committee desired to retain hia servioes. The board resolved that its policy should be maintained and that the application for exemption could not be sanctioned, A cane presenting diffarsnt features was considered when the report of the supervision of the manual and technical branch was before the meeting. The report recommended that application should bo made for two month's extension of time in the case of a .country instructor, in order that ha might comple'e his duties at two schools. It was decided to apply for the extension. A Rumor Uenied.' % Wellington, March 15 A mischievous rumour has been circulated of alleged irregularities in the drawing of the last ballot under the Military Service Act. It has been stated that one of the girl attendants manipulated the oards to the advantage of some of her friends ; that the fraud was discovered, and that a new ballot bad to be taken, the offender having been dismissed in disgrace. “ I want to deny the rumor absolutely,” said the Minister of Defence when the matter was brought under Lis notice. “ The Government Statistician Informß me that no such fraud was discovered and and no glrL was dismissed. I think it is very improper that those rumors should be circulated. In point cf fact the drawing is not in the hands of women, as anyone who has seen ths ballot maohmery in operation can testify. The women attendants draw cards from the boxes when the numbers are called, but they do not see the names on the cards, nor do they remove the cards from tbe boxes, This is done by the Magistrate conducting the ballot, antf the Magistrate also maj, check the girls’ work to sea that the right cards have bsen produced for his inspection,”

Fire Brigades Conference

Dunedin March 13

The Firo Brigades Conference approved the price pla of striking a levy to cover expenses of fnture conference! and demonstrations and decided that the grant of £l5O to the prize fund should be discontinued in the meantime. The executive was empowered to strike a levy not exceeding £2 to to cover tiavailing expenses to next year’s conference. An invitation to hold next year’s conference at Taurauga was accepted. Captain Hean was elected president. The scale of contributions for the accident society was revised by tho addition of 1/ per member to the rates in cities of over 20,000 inhabitants.

Military Service Act Dunedin March 16 Tho Military Service Board exempted Robert Jack, Professor of Physics at Otago University, It was stated that every effort had been made to provide a substitute. Conditional exemption was granted to Messrs Stevenson and Cook on behalf of some employees engaged on, essential work on transports in dock. Cheap Electricity Auckland, March 14 Speaking at the opening of the elec* trical sub-station ta Epsom, the Mayor stated that the capital expenditure on the city electrical undertaking was £327,000. The income last year was £55,800, and after paying working expenses and oapital charges, including interest, sinking fund and depreciation there was a profit of £II,OOO, the undertaking from the beginning being self-supporting. Tbe council claimed to have the cheapest and most economical steam plant in New Zealand. It claimed also to be selling power at rates ranking amongst the lowest in Australasia, The average price last year was 2.15 d per unit against an average of 2,58 d for Christchurch under a water power scheme.