LATE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1917, Page 4

LATE NEWS.

JPEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.—OOPTRXOHTj. WELLINGTON, March 18. The dry spell of weather is also causing anxiety concerning the city water supply. Wainui reservoir is very low, and the citizens are exhorted to ho specially careful. WELLINGTON, March 16. The fires which have raged with varying fierceness for some days past among the hills on the eastern side of the harbour, seem to-day to have been fanned afresh by a light northerly breeze, and the city lies' under a considerable pall of smoke. Definite information is difficult to obtain a's to the damage, but the quantity of smoke overspreading the countryside suggests that the settlers are heavy loser*. Unconfirmed reports are current that the lire swept through the beautiful bush fringing Lowry Bay. .Near the soldiers convalescent hospital the fires have been eating-their way through for several days. WASHINGTON, March 16.—President Wilson has nominated a cabinet,, with Gompers representing the American Federation of Labour, and Mr Williard, President of the BaltimoreOhio railway, to confer with railwaymen in a final effort 'to avert a strike., and President Wilson is prepared totake drastic action if the negotiations' fail.

MELBOURNE, March 16. The Senate passed the Tariff Validation and Electoral Bills. Senator Milieu stated that the Government did not intend appointing a. Royal Commission to investigate Senator Watson’s charges against Mr, Hughes. Mr. Massey and Hon. A. Fisher condoled with the Duke of Connaught, The formal opening of the new Australian Club way postponed owing to the Duchess’s health. The club now in operation is intended for use solely for officers on leave from France.- The building is situation in Piccadilly, in the centre of clubland. Mr. King, a South: African millionaire, gave the rent and the premises are free from all charges. Meysrs Steel Maitland, McAndersoif, Vicary, and Gibbs are trustees. Mr. Gibbs took an active part in securing the money to equip tlio Club. SYDNEY, March 18.—Ten thousand ■entries have beejn received for the Show, .this being a record. SYDNEY, March 18. _ Richard Toece, General Manager of the Australian Mutual Provident Society in New Zealand retires at the end of April.

' \ March 18.—Another mail bag containing £2OOO in notes is missing. Butter Prices CARTERTON, March 17. At a meeting of dairy company representatives held at Carterton wday the following resolution was unanimously passed:—“That this meeting of delegates representing the dairy industry in Wairarapa and Bush districts strongly protests against the continuance of the butter fat tax of Id per lb, seeing that the prices now being realised for butter on the British market will return a price for butter fat considerably in excess of the price that will be returned to cheese factories on the price being paid by the Government, and that all milk suppliers be strongly urged to bring pressure to bear upon members of parliament for their respective districts, not only t® have the Itax discontinued but to have tho amoulnfs already paid by dairy companies refunded.