TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1919, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

fpna phkss AssouiA'iioN.—copvKiuar.j SCARCITY OF MINERS. WELLINGTON, May* 21. Mr J. H. Blow, Secretary of Mines, said the present shortage of coal was due to the lack of miners. Every mining company in New Zealand was short, of miners. The number of men engaged in mining was decreasing. It was difficult to see how more could be done to attract men to the mines, but probably something would have to be done.

BULLISH. COAL MINE. WESTPORT, May 21. •At the Westport Borough Council meeting to-night at the instance of Ci. (Parry, it was resolved: “That this Council notes with pleasure the proposal by the Clirischurcli City Council to take an active part in supplying coal to the masses, and offers to support and co-operate and to give all assistance within its power to enable Christchurch to come to an early decision to bring tlie project to a successful issue, and furthermore this Council evtends a- hearty invitation to Dr Thacker and his Councillors to visit this district, and to learn of the many.and large areas of excellent coal now lying dormant, awaiting the investment of capital.

INFLUENZA CASES. WELLINGTON, May 21. Between the 15th and 19th of May the following influenza cases were reported to the Public Health Department: — r Auckland District 0 Wellington ® Canterbury ® Otago

A PROTEST. CHRISTCHURCH, May, 21. At a meeting of the Canterbury District Repatriation Board to-niglit, Mr Leadley (Secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association) entered an emphatic protest against the retention of girls in positions previously filled b> men who had gone to the front, an who were now in need of employment. He particularly mentioned in this con. nection the Hospital Board and various Banks. A deputation was appointed to wait on various public bodies and institutions in connection with the employment of women, with a view to having them replaced by returned soldiers.

GENERAL RICHARDSON. CHRISTCHURCH, May 21. General Richardson was accorded a civic reception here to-day. 11l reply to a question here to-day, General Richardson, said lie felt confident that the soldiers would not be disappointed when the final pronounce, ment was made by the Government in regard to gratuities.

LONDON OVERCROWDED. WELLINGTON, May 21. The High Commissioner has cabled to the New Zealand Government that persons contemplating a visit to London should be warned of the difficulty of obtaining hotel or other accommodation. Berths for passengers returning to New Zealand are almost unobtainable. It is estimated at present that about 3000 civilians are awaiting passages to the Dominion. The High Commissioner is of the opinion that about October the position will become easier.

COST OF VEGETABLES. WELLINGTON, May 21. At (lie Town Planning Conference, which opened yesterday, Dr. C. J-Reake-s, Director-General of Agriculture, said to-day that the difference between the price received hy the producer for vegetables and the price paid by the consumers was far too large, am garden villages ought to help in solving this problem. Fruit farming settlements ought to benefit both the producer and consumer, and the acme principles of concentration and co-operation could be applied to poultry, pig and bee farming.

OBSTRUCTING A CONSTABLE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 21. ,At the Magistrates’ Court hero today, before Mr McCarthy, S.M., two men pleaded guilty to charges of obstructing a constable in tho execu ion of his duty. Sub-Inspector Mullanoy stated that on the evening of April 6th., Constable Hurley was arresting a man at Sydenham, when the two aroused Ida'ught hold of him, an . so hampered his movements that his prisoner escaped, and was not subsequently caught. ~ . The accused, as an excuse for the conduct, stated to the Court that the constable was arresting a returned soldl“Tt is time,” said the Magistrate, “that a certain section of the public should get rid of the idea that returned soldiers are to be allowed to do exactly as they like on their return. We fully appreciate what has been clone bv them for ns, while they have been awav: hut New Zealand would be a pan demoniuin, if the very few returned men wlio do misbehave themselves woro allowed to do so without restraint. H tliev commit offences they nnst receive tho same treatment as ordinal v civilians.” . , A fine of £5 was imposed m case with the alternative of two months’ imprisonment.

TITR SEED TRADE. WELLINTON, May 21. Representatives of the seed trade ask od for duties against foreign seeds, prepared and placed ready for sale; and for tlio release from duty of certain printed matter, sucl. as catalogues. Tt was pointed out that, packets and seeds came in free of duty, hut if No tv Zealand seedsmen wanted empty packets for their own seed they had to pay duty on them.

STATE STEAMERS WANTED. WELLINGTON, May 21. The Harbour Board to-night passed a resolution favouring the establishment of a State line of steamers in New Zealand, in order to improve the present unsatisfactory condition of affairs. SHIPPING FOR N.Z. WELLINGTON, May 21. A cablegram received from Mr Mas.sey states the following fourteen vessels will load in New Zealand in June: Arawa, Armagh, Raranga, ICia Ora, W.haka,tane, Paparoa, Rimutaka, Pakelia, Devon, Suffolk, Shropshire and Orari. STRUCK THE GROUND. DUNEDIN, This Day. At a late hour last night Turnbull Martin and Co., received advice that the steamer Westmoreland, which left Bluff at 6.15. p.m. yesterday, with the intention of proceeding *o Wellington, had struck ground pretty heavily while leaving the southern port and is Ix'lieved to be making water, but had continued her voyage, the intention of her captain being to bring the vessel to Port Chalmers, where the docking facilities will be available.

RAILWAY MATTERS. WELLINGTON, This Day. Sir James Allen, who left last night for the South Island, stated the Min.ster of Railways is not due back in Wellington till Saturday, so that the decision of Cabinet in regard to the Loco motive, Engineers, Firemen, and Cleaners Association dispute and the Minis*, er’s veto of the Appeal Board decision in the Longtou case could not possibly be given till then, and might have to stand over till his own return to Wellington on Wednesday next.-