TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(Per Press Association — Copyright) Six O’CLOCK CLOSING HAMILTON, June 26. A petition signed by 3,039 electors, praying for closing of hotel bars at six o’clock as a war measure was pi«sented yesterday to Mr J. A. Young, member for Waikato, at a largely attended meeting, whereat the Mayor presided. Including the Cambridge petition, a total of 4,364 names in tlie Waikato electorate favour the proposal. Mr Young said he was heartily in accord and stood fully propared »u, .

port th o petition, when tho opportunity offered.

TIMARU, June 26th

An early closing petition of 832 names and more following, was presented to Mr. Nosworthy at Geraldine yesterday by Mayor Paterson." Mr. Nosworthy supports the request.

WESTPORT AGAINST IT,

WESTPORT, June*©.

At a crowded meeting in the'j own Hall to-night to discuss six o’clock closing of hotels a motion was moved “ That this meeting considers that 10 o’elock closing .should bo continued until the next local option poll is taken.”

After a lnegthy debate, in which representatives of the Trade freely expressed their views, the amendment was rejected and tlie motion was carried by an overwhelming majority. An amendment was moved in favour of six o’clock closing for the period of the war and for six months thereafter or as an alternative an juijixv.iato referendum of th® people of tho Dominion . -s

NELSON IN FAVOUR, NELSON, June, go

At a public meeting to-niglit a petition bearing 3161 signatures, praying for the closing of tlie bars of hettis and clubs at 6 o’clock during the war, was presented fo Mr.T. A. H. Field, M.P. Mr Field iijtimated that ho would support tlie proposal

A BURGLAR ARRESTED

WELLINGTON, June 26

A number of burglaries have been committed in Wellington' .during the past few months and today a man named George Cook, an ex-barman, was arrested on five charges of breas.ing and entering and theft. Th„ premises Cooke was charged with breaking into are: Hotel Cecil, Masonic Hotel. George nnd Kersley’s Drapery Establishment, , and tho warehouses of Goodwill, Johnston and Co., and R. C. Kmvig. The value of the goods stolen amounts to some hundreds of pounds. The police report that a con-, siderable quantity of goods has been recovered. - •

SIR W. BUCHANAN’S FIRE. ' CARTERTON, Ju n o 26

The outbreak of fire at Tupurupiiru is a complete mystery. Sir Walter Buchanan was the last to rctir© at 10.30 p.m. H e left everything . apparently safe. Mr. Pott the manager was awakened at approximately 1.30 o’clock by crackling, and when he investigated found fire between ,the floor unstnirs and the Coiling of the ground floor, quite away from any chimney. Ho alarmed the household and the fire hoses wero immediately got to work but their efforts were unavailing. Th e homestead, was built 40 years ago and was recently tested and was found to hq perfectly sound. It of t'ro stories and contained eighteen rooms, whilch were splendidly furnished.

The insuranco on tho house and furniture is £750, in the Farmers Union and Mutual Insurance. Sir Walter Buchnnan estimates the loss at least £3OOO over this. The inmates - lost everything. Tho house was supplied by a private installation of high pressure water giving a pressureof 4<) lbs. Three leads of hose were used but the building was razed to the ground.

THE WAITOTARA. DUNEDIN, Juno 26,

Tho Union Co, advised this afternoon .that tho steamers sent in quest of the Waitotnrn had, after practically two days’ search in the vicinity, failed to see any sign of the vessel. Captain Ritchie is of opinion that the Waitotara must have foundered. Steamers sent to try and assist in lirr rescue have been ordered by cable to return to their original destinations.