TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

Per Press Association.—Copyright, OVERWORKED. The Minister of Defence. _ Wellington, May 9 It is an open seeret here that the AotiDg-Prim9 Minister, Sir James Allen, is running perilously near a breakdown, owing to the heaviness of the task which he has to undertake. The duties of AotingPremier take a good deal of time, and be cannot avoid attendance at a few out of the many public functions to which he is invited. Defence maiters are, a big anxiety, but added to this all-import-ant work of administering the military machine, eo that New Zealand may do its share in the task of winning the war, has been added the difficult and delicate matters associated with labour troubles. The latter involved a visit to the West Coast, while work piled np in Wellington. How long the Acting-Prime Minister will stand the enormous strain it is hard to say. He commences work at the office about 9 a.m., regularly works at night, and iu order to make time for the visit to Christohurcb, as a witness subpoenaed by Mr P. C. Webb f M.P., be kept np his working “ day ’’ till 1 a.m.

Every other Minister seems to’ be fully occupied, especially since the temporary distribution of the Hon W. D. S. MacDonald’s portfolios while that Minister is absent in Australia. The suggestion has Been made that the Government sbonld take in one, or even two, more Ministers without pay, to cope with the enormous amount of work which the war has thrown npob ihe members of the National Cabinet. The two leaders ■will probably be back in New Zealand by the time the session opens, bat the relief this will afford will be to a great ex'ent set off by the extra duties thrown oa Ministers by the work of the House, necessitating constant attendance in the Chamber, freqbent sittings of committees, and numerous meetings ofCsTbrnet for the consideration of the business of Parliament.

A Drowning Accident Palmerston North May 8 News has been received of a drowning accident which occurred at Komakc on Saturday evening, the victim being Mr John Cowdrey, a settler of Pohangina. He was crossing tho Pcbangina river, and the animal he was riding becoming restive in the swollen stream threw him. As he was wearing a heavy tweed overcoat, it is thought he became entangled and bad no chance of saving his life. He leaves a wife and three children, His body was recovered yesterday morning. To show his practical sympathy one yonn j farmer called at the nearest bonse for p n and ink and drew a cheque for £2O and sent it along to the widow. Electrocuted. Rotorua, May 11 A returned soldier, James Casey, about 35, married, with two children, was killed near the Postmaster Bath this morning,' while preparing an electric light wire. William Herbert Hogden, who was working with Uasey, was severely Bhoeked, but managed to reach the sub-station, where he became uncon* icions, his condition being critical,