TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[PH- PP.ICH9 ASSOCIATION. —00PVBIGHI.1 FIGHT FOR LIFE. MAORI YOUTH’S EXCITING EXPERIENCE. WAIHI, Dec. 29.

Jacob Toley ,a Maori youth, had an ! exciting experience at Waihi beach on 1 Saturday evening. He had swum out I through a big surf to a fishing launch ( anchored in the open. He succeeded in reaching the vessel, and raised the ] anchors. While engaged in starting; the engine the launch got broadside on and turned turtle, with the Maori under neath. After considerable difficulty ho disengaged himself from the battery connections and clung to the upturned vessel. Several efforts to reach him from the shore were futile, owing to the heavy breakers. The Maori, though badly injured by the propeller shaft, struck out for the shore, and after a desperate struggle reached the rocks in an exhausted and battered condition. Medical aid was rendered, after which the youth was taken to the hospital., The launch was dashed up on to the rocks and totally wrecked.

UPPER HOUSE REFORM. TO COME’ INTO FORCE. WELLINGTON, January 1. The Attorney-General states:—-A [Proclamation bring the Legislative Council Act into operation will be issued in next “Gazette”. Sir F. D. Bell added:—“The Act will come into force on the 31st of January 1921. The first election of members of the Legislative Council will take place at the general election of 1922. The election will be held on th proportional representation system. There will be four large constituencies, covering the whole of New Zealand.

The first election will be of twenty members only—one half of the House as at present constituted. The Legislative Council will continue iu force until the. c°ming into operation of the New Act. Sir F. D. Bell adds that therefore appointments for a term of seven years can be made to the Council until the 31st of Januai-y of 1921. After which date no appointments can he’ made.

NEW YEAR HONOURS. OHRISTCHUROH, January 1

The Governor-General has been advised that the King has conferred the following New Year honours: Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (K.C.M.G. —Honourable William Herbert Herries. Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) —Honourable Robert Heaton Rhodes. Companion of the order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.) —Hon. Maui Pomare, and Mr Frank David Thomson, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. VITAL STATISTICS. CHRISTCHURCH, January 1. The vital statistics for the year just ended are as follows, the figures for 1918 being given in parenthesis: Births 1883 (1942); deaths 1025 (1454); marriages 1265 (845).

TROOPSHIPS ARRIVING. WELLINGTON, January 1. The troopship Rimutaka is expected to arrive at Wellington on Sunday morning, and the Kigoma on January 12th or 13th.