TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1919, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

v;*m v nkss associaT'KlN. —corvEiuHT.j DRIFTING MINES. WELLINGTON, Dec. 15.

The Senior Nhval Officer of New Zealand has received from the Commonwealth Naval Board of Administration, Melbourne, the following telegram—A drifting mine was found recently at Cane Flattery near Cook-town, Australia, E.C. Another has just been found off Dove Island in the Great North West Channel, Torres Strait. These mines appear to have been drifting from New Zealand and Bass Strait enemy minefields. As all the mines laid have not been recovered by sweepings more mines may drift to the Coral Sea and Torres Strait. It is requested that shipping using the waters of Australia’s East Coast and Torres Strait and the inner Barrier and Coral Sea routes should be warned by press notification to look out for drifting mines. ASTRONOMICAL. WELLINGTON, Dee. 15.

The following cablegram dated December 15th, has been received by the Government Astronomer from the Director General of Agriculture at Suva.

“A letter is published in the local press from Clement Wragge predicting violent seismic disturbances, commencing about December 16, and lias caused considerable alarm. This ‘Government would appreciate any information you could supply by cable on the matter.” The Government Seismologist, having been asked for bis views on the matter has submitted the following report to the Government: —“It has been proved again and again that sun spots and other astronomical phenomena do not cause earthquakes. The causes of earthquakes are within the earth, not outside it. It would be a mere chance coincidence even if one of the 'big earthquakes tfiat are constantly happening were to fall on the lrth of December. .No one can foretell earthquakes m the way Clement Wragge claims to do. Therefore, there is no special cause.” This information Sir Francis Bell baa conveyed to the Colonial Secretary at Suva.