TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

1 } Per Press Association.—Copyrigh' t Tho Otaki Chrjteciiurcu, March 25 Mr Bennett, general manager d the New Zealand Shipping Company, etates that the company has had no word of the* loss of the Otaki, reported to have been sank by the Moewe, The vessel reached London from an Australian port about a month ago. The latest letrers recaived by Mr Bennett from there, dated February Bth, stated that it was intended to send the Otaki from London to Liverpool to load for Australia and New Zealand, and it is possible that she met disaster when between these two ports. Mr Bennett cannot understand the non-receipt of advice of the loss of the Otaki, and is cabling for an explanation of the Admiraliy’s report. Timaru Harbour. Timaru, March 23 At the annual meeting of the Harbour Board to-day the accounts presented showed a deficiency of £2096 on the year’s work. The chairman stated that thirtyfour oversea vessels called during the year, against eixLy-one in the previous year. Thirteen steamers called for frozen meat, whereas thirty took the same quantity in 1911. The value of overseas trade (omitting ocaatal) was about one and a half million. It was two millions in 1915. In view of the fall in revenue tho chairman re- i commanded following the example of jther boards in revising wharfage and shipping dues. It was decided to lay up the dredge : or another year, as the depth of ivaler was ample for requirements, 24 :o 25 feet in the outer channel at low ide. It was stated that Bince the jacket dredge was started in 1907 a mm of £16,000 bad been atfent on Iredging,

Heavy Rain in Canterbury. Ciikistchukch, March 25 The very loop @pßi 1 of dry weather hes broken. Heavy rain started to fail last night and continued until 10.30 o'clock this morning, when , there was a slight break. Heavy rain was again faliiug this afternoon. , The rain, which is very badly wanted, has been fairly geueral throughout Canterbury. Fatal Accident Christcuokcu March 25 George Wonnacott, slaughterman residing at Office Road, St Albans, a married man witb two children, was riding a motor cycle last night-, with James Griffin on the carrier, when it collided with a tram pole in Bealey Avenue. Wonnacott was instantaneously killed and Griffin, who was rendered unconscious wa3 severely injured on the hand. Second Division WELLINGTON March 31. .Replying to a deputation of Civil Servants to-day Sir James Allen mads interesting references to the calling up tbo second Division of tli*, Reserve. “I wish I could set your minds at rest about the Second Division,” lie said. “I know there i s a great deal of natural ; anxiety among members of tlio Secind Division. Many of thorn are anxious to make preparations to do their part and I don’t want to say anything against 1 that. It is right that men should b« ready for what may happen but I do : want to say to Divsiom 2 men not to be < hasty in any action they may tako *»ia this applies especially to mon in essential industries because if they are hasty * in making their preparations they may I make sacrifices which may not ho in i their own interest or in the interest of ] the Sate. For instance a man who has a dairy farm may feel hat ho should sen out possibly at a sacrifice. I don’t think ho is called upon to do that— at any rate not now.” “We all hopo that it will not bo necessary to call upon Division 2at all. 1 lhere will be no ono happier about it than the Minister ] of Defence, I can assure you if he hap never to call up Division 2 men for Service. At the same time it is impossible for me or anybody else to say whether it will possible for us to coino ] to a conclusion with our foes this summer. It is proper for us to look forward •to another winter perhaps to another summer anj if the war goes into another yean Division 2 will certainly be called upon.” “As far as I can see now Division 2 c will not be called up for six months yet. 1 If there are Division 2 men who are ■, very anxious, I hope that they will remember that they cannot be brought into the ballot for six months and they ought to keep this in mind when they ! are considering what preparations they £ ought to make. l