TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1919, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPXKIOHI.J CONVEYANCE OF PUPILS. WELLINGTON May 8. A request was placed by a deputation before the Minister of Education to-day for payment by the Government of conveyance allowance to pupils who traved by coach or other- vehicles to attend technical or escondary schools—in other words for the same allowances as are payable in case of pupils attending public schools including the secondary department of district high schools. It was pointed out that pupils who travel by rail are conveyed free to second schools and technical high schools, and therefore pupils using other means of conveyance should be similarly treated.

j The Minister said it)rat last J r<?ar £3,503, was paid for conveyance of pupils by rail to secondary schools, £1144 to district high schools and £3,139“, to technical schools. It would he impossible, without making special in- ' quiry, so his Department advised him, to estimate the cost of paying a conI veyance allowance to pupils who travel by other means to secondary and tech- ; nical high schools. Roughly speaking, j he was disposed to think that £5,000 or £6,000 annually would be required. With reference to the allowance, if, ! say ss. per week should be made this item would run into a very large sum £23,000 or £25,000 annually. To agree to these two proposals to extend conveyance and boarding allowances to pupils of secondary and technical high schools would mean that an additional sum of not less than £28,000 or £31,000 would have to he found each year. The two proposals made the subject a very large question for consideration. He would go into the matter further with his Department, with a view to coming to some conclusion on the matter.

PASSENGER EMBARGO

WELLINGTBON, May 28

The Minister of Public Health stated to-day that the fact that tho Manuka has been declared a clean ship pointed to the possibility of the embargo on the passenger traffic with Australia being lifted at an early date. He lioped,' within a day or two, to be able to announce that restricted passenger traffic would immediately be resumed from both Melbourne and Sydney. SOLDIERS’ CHILDREN. WANGANUI, May 28. Dr. J. S. Riddell, who has launched a scheme for ther education of children of soldiers killed in the war, waited on the Wanganui-Waitotara Patriotic Association to-day. It was resolved to vote £2OO to the Fund, the sum to he paid in war bonds. RAILWAY FATALITY. CHRISTCHURCH, May 28. Patrick Gregory was struck by a train at Waltham Crossing to-night, and died shortly after being admitted to the Hospital.

*AN INQUEST

DUNEDIN, May 28

An inquest on the body of James Walsh, (a reporter of the Otago “Daily Times”) whose body was to-day found in the harbour, showed deceased was 27 years of age, and had by some means fallen into the water. Deceased was present at a meeting of the Returned Soldiers Association last night. He was last seen about 9.30 p.m. When found the body was fully clothed, Including hat and overcoat. Deceased left New Zealand with the Fourteenth Reinforcements, returning in January. He had been wounded in the knee and gassed. Since returning he showed signs of a - nervous affection, but was naturally of a bright disposition. The verdict * was “found drowned.” Deceased’s relatives reside at Opawa, near Christchurch.

GREYMOUTII SOLDIER’S DEATH.

ROTORUA, May 28

George Richard Willis, aged 25, a returned soldier, died suddenly at Wairakei on Thursday. He was seized with haemorrhage of tlie lungs while starting a motor car, and expired immediately.

The parents of the deceased reside at Greymoutli.

PROHIBITION ORGANISER. i

DUNEDIN, May 28

Rev. It. S. Gray, Pastor of Hanover St., Baptist Church, for the last six years, has resigned in order to assume the position of Dominion Organiser for the prohibiton campaign. This step is taken at tho request,of the New Zealand Alliance and of the Efficiency League. Rev. Knowles Kenipton, of Auck land Tabernacle, succeeds Rev. Gray.

TROOPSHIP TOFUA DECLARED A CLEAN SHIP DUNEDIN, May 28 The troopship Tufua, with 501 troops anchored in tho lower harbour about 7.30 to-night. The vessel was declared a clean ship, and will he berthed at Dunedin at 11 a.m. on Thursday. She had an ideal voyage almost the whole way. There is only one cot case, and it is not serious. A special train is leaving at noon to-morrow with the northern men. j

TOFUA AGROUND

DUNEDIN, This Day. j

The Tofua when coining up Victoria Channel at low title touched the Hand-, bank near Sawyer’s Hay, causing a deley. The vessel is not expected to; reach Dunedin till after one p.m. The men for north of Dunedin leave by special train. VERDICT OF ARSON. BLENHEIM, This Day. Tho verdict of the Coroner at the inquiry into the fire at the Marlborough fruit preserving packing factory, was that tho outbreak originated inside the building, and tho evidence showed it was not accidental, and must have been kindled by toimi person who gained access to the building after it was closed for the day, but tbe evidence was in- | sufficient to show who the culprit was.

HALF-HOLIDAY CHANGE.

. BLENHEIM, This Day. ! Mr P. L. Hollings (Magistrate) de- . livered an important judgment in a [ case in which W. B. Girling and Co. ■ were charged by the Inspector of Factories with employing three female employees on Wednesday half-holiday on April 9th. The defence stated that .the employees received a half-holiday on April 10th (Referendum Day) at their own wish, in place of the usual half-day. Counsel contended that the case slid#!ld Tie dismissed as trivial under section 92 of the Justice of the Peace Act. The Magistrate agreed to use his discretionary powers under that Act, and dismissed the case.

| RETURNED SOLDIERS. i CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. ! The New Zealand Returned Soldiers Conference this morning passed the fo’lowing resolution: “That all the remaining remits bearing on the question of political action, be considered as disposed of.