LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1918, Page 3

LATE LOCALS.

The Paeroa arrived at an early hour this morning from Jackson's Roy with a load of sheen. The sheep art going forward to Islington freezing works.

Mr Ivon Wilson is organising the concert to he held at- the Town Hall oil Aiizae night. It is likely several fresh faces will make their appearance on that occasion, in addition to tho local favourites. During the afternoon a patriotic gathering of the public wll he iheld, while all returned soldiers are invited to attend a luncheon to be hold at Keller’s hotel at midday.

Mr. IV. Cooper of Rimu received the following wire from the Minister of Defence to-dav:— “Regret to advise you that you .son 4837, A. Cooper, died of wounds on March 27th. Please accept, m.v sincere sympathy in the loss which von and New Zealand have, suffered.” This young soldier went away in the 12lh Reinforcements, so had seen much active service before he made the supreme sacrifice.

The 'RelUrneil Soldiers’ Association contemplate holding a dance on Anzac Night (25th inst) which will probably lie the forerunner of an assembly to he continued throughout the winter months in aid of the Soldiers' Club Funds. The billiard club room is imv. open daily and nightly. Civilian mem. hers may join, subject to election on payment of a subscription of 5/-. A billiard tournament will he commenced at an early date. Intending members may hand in their names to Mr A. Woolhou.se, Hon. Secretary.

Probably no school of its size in cue Dominion has a better record than has the Hokitika District High School and the parents and public generally are proud of it. Now an opportunity js being given to express their pride in practical form. The school needs at hast, £2OO for improvements, and to raise that sum is holding a Bazaar in the Drill Shed on May 2nd and 3rd. The school especially appeals to all those who believe in the value of the work carried out, there to assist by forwarding to the- .Rector and staff gifts for sale at the Bazaar. An Old Pupils’ Stall is to he one of flic features, and that stall should attract much attention. Other stalls will be the Committees’ Stall, Woodwork, Produce, Fancy Sweets, High School, the Dip, and the Tearoom.

A list of articles prohibited to he imported into the United Kingdom is being printed and will he circulated to all post offices in a few days. With reference to ibis prohibition the only exception ilcfinitclv announced in the case of New Zealand soldiers is sugar. The postal officers say the Department is not. applying ifi,-- list of prohibitions to Soldiers’ Pa reels, about- which no questions will he raised. Such parcels ■ire accented nL the sender's risk, and for the present, it is not anticira' ■■} that they will be subject to the prohibit tion regulations. Declaration on contents of soldiers’ parcels is now only required for parcels for New Zeala’-d ineu in British units in the United Kingdom, and ill the Navy. Declarations are not required on parcels for members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces or Australian Imperial Forces.

The West Fluid. Land Board at its meeting this afternoon had a somewhat lengthy discussion on an appli cation of D. Ziman for 100 acres Tinder tihe regulations at- Humphreys’ Gully. The application was objected to by T. Harris who had a temporary grazing license over part of the area, on which his home is erected. It was pointed out.by the Commissioner that it was proposed by Mr Ziman who held the area under a special claim t» dredge the ground and to replace the top soil afterwards. The Commissioner stated that ho was only favourable to portion of the area, being granted, that of the white pine portion. Aftei considerable discussion the Commissioner agreed to visit the ground and draw a sketch plan of the position, and report to the Board at next meeting. What appears to be an extraordinary enso of pillaging has been experienced by the Christchurch firm which has in hand the construction of trailers for the Tramway Board. The firm ordered P>4 sheets of aluminium from New York-, and the case containing them duly arrived and, as outward appearances went, if was intact and showed no signs of having, been tampered with. It whb opened, but not emptied, on arrival at the firm’s factory, and two or three sheets Were lifted up. When, later, the case was emptied, it was found to contain only six sheets. all there was to represent a value of about £ 100 for the 64 sheets. Between the sheets some were on top and some on the bottom of the case—there was found very carefully packed several fire bricks. These bore two different brands. The bricks were packed with straw, and so nearly approximated the weight of the missing sheets of aluminium that their nresence could not he detected. Exactly where the pillaging occurred, if there was pillaging, is difficult to determine ; the indications rather point to the sheets never having been packed. It is estimated that thirteen out of thp sixteen trailers under construction will bo delayed owing to the abort shipment of aluminium sheets having been received.