TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1919, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

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WAR GRATUITIES. WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. Sir James Allen stated to-day that he was engaged in final consideration of the War Gratuities scheme. He had already dealt with questions relating to the amendment of the war pensions scheme and to making allowances retrospective, and lie had now only -o deal with gratuities. He said he would fiave the scheme complete before the opening of the session. ;

TRANSPORT GIESSEN ARRIVES. WELLINGTON Aug. 26. 1 The transport Giessen arrived at mid-night. If a clean ship she will berth at 10.30 a.m., to-day. I THE BUTTER. SHORTAGE, i INVERCARGILL,’ Aug. 25. j Butter supplies in Invercargill are practically exhausted. Many retailers

declare they cannot guarantee supplies at least for a fortnight. One factory lias definitely announced that it cannot supply for at least a week, and another has a few boxes to dispose of, which will not last a week. SEXUAL OFFENCES. GISBORNE, Aug. 20. At the Magistrate’s Court Joseph Crook appeared on remand, charged with carnally knowing a girl under the age of ten years. Mr Burnard, who appeared for accused at a previous sitting withdrew from the case. The Magistrate committed accused for trial to the Supreme Court on both charges and stated that no bail would be granted. j DROWNING FATALITY. j GISBORNE, Aug. 2-5. I The body of Linton Runciman D.C.M a returned soldier, missing for several days, has been found in the Mata River in Waipiro Bay. Evidence at the inquest was given that deceased and a companion attempted to ford the river in a flood. The companion went first and got ashore safely. He saw no sign of Runciman. A verdict of accidentally drowned was returned. ;

SIR JAMES ALLEN’S REPLY. WELLINGTON, August 25. With reference to the Samoan epidemic and the responsibility for advising Samoa of the prevalence of infiuenzn. in New Zealand, Sir James Allen stated to-day, that though the Public Health Department may not have been under any Regulation prevailing at the time of tho epidemic, direct ly responsible for the communicating to Samoa, arrangements had since been made for them to do so. In any reorganisation it seemed essential that such notifications should be made by the Department of Public Health. This applied, hot only to Samoa, but to the whole system of world-wide notification of the prevalence of infectious diseases.

CHILD’S SAD END. WAIMATE, This Day

Oherrie Graham, the three year old daughter of William Charles Graham, died last night as a result of scalds. Yesterday morning the mother left the washhouse for a moment and the little girl climbed up on the copper to get a flower for her vase. She stepped on the lid of the copper and slid into nearly boiling water* up to her waist.

CHRISTCHURCH, August 25. A pre-sessional address was delivered by Mr J. McCombs, M.P. at Lyttelton tonight. The (speaker reviewed , tho political situation. Part of his speech consisted of a strong attack on Sir J. G. Ward, both in regard to his share in the administration of the National Government and his recent- ; ly issued manifesto. Mr McCombs was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence. HOCKEY MATCH. WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. , A friendly game of hockey between a team from H.M.S. New Zealand and a representative Wellington team was

won bv the visitors by 8 to 3. 1 | FROZEN MEAT SUPPLIES. 1 WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. Information lias been received that tlie quantity of meat in cold storage in United Kingdom is 60,000 tons equal to about 2,250.000 carcases. Besides there is a fairly large quantity of bacon ..ml other meats, such as rabbits and poultry. The total cold storage space in Britain is 200,000 tons. ( — i BOYS ON -Ml LK CARTS. DUNEDIN, Aug. 23. 1 At a meeting of the Education Board the truant officer reported that the practice of employing children at such

early hours in the morning as to inter- i fere with school work was increasing, i He had written to the Minister for Education suggesting that a conference of truant officers he held to bring the posi- ; tion before the Minister. Approximately 200 children from seven to fourteen years worked on milk caits two to five hours before attending school, the pay ranging from Os (id to 10s. The position was worst in Caversham, Green Island, and North-East Valley. The Board decided to draw the attention of fhe Minister to the department’s promise in 1018 that the subject would be taken up, and ask what had been done in the matter. RETURNS OF INCOME. CHRISTCHURCH, This Hay. At the Magistrate's Court, four charges of failing to furnish returns of ;acmes were heard. In each ease, tlie minimum penalty of £2 and costs was imposed. Mr Roymond said the informations were laid with a view to ghiag publicity to the matter. If the defaults continued, much heavier penalties would he asked foi