TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1920, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

j tPEB fit ESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT,) ! A FOOLISH NATIVE. GISBORNE, This Day. A native avlio spent- a month in gaol awaiting trial on a charge of forging a name that proved to he his own name, Avas brought before the Magistrate and released. It appears that accused had overdrawn his account at the bank, and fearing the consequences, when ques- t tiotied about the cheques lie had issued, concealed his identity, this leading to a forgery charge. - GAS WORKERS DISPUTE. WELLINGTON,, Jan 26.

I The hearing of the dispute initiated , by the Wellington Gas Company Avith its employees, commenced at the Conj eiliation Council to-day. The men’s representatives took up the position that while they Avere prepared to reach a settlement before the Commissioner they Avould decline to go to the arbitration Court for the following reasons:— One, that the Court not being conversant with the conditions could not give a satisfactory award; two—the men should haA r e a final say in framing conditions. It Avas agreed that the representatives of the men should obtain full power to conclude an agreement, the men to return to normal conditions with further negotiations. The company on the other hand, agreed to reinstate seven men including the President of the Union, dismissed for refusing to Avork overtime. The hearing Avas adjourned to 16th February.

BULLER COAL MINES WESTPORT, Jan. 26.

Two car-loads of representative citizens, including ladies, to-day made a tour of the Buffer Gorge coal and timber fields, and spent some time examining the coal mines of Messrs Burley Bros .and lanes, situated right in the heart of the Gorge. They are entered from the roadside.

The opinion Avas -expressed, that did the women of the Dominion only realise the vast amount of easily accessible coal lying undeveloped in this Gorge, htrough the lack of a foAv miles of railway, Avhile the whole Dominion is starving for coal, this Avould raise such an outcry that no Government Avould alloav such conditions to continue. Tt is intended to forward a full report Avili photographs, to the leading papers in New Zealand for insertion therein, so as to let the public know that there is no shortage of coal, but merely an apathy in providing the means Avhe-reby the teeming millions of tons may be placed on the market.

HIGH SCHOOL BURNT. HAWERA. This Day

A fire ivas discovered at 5.30 this morning at Manaia District- High School. It had a strong hold and no Avater supply was available. The Manaia brigade Avas able to sua'o some matlerial, but otherwise the building and contents were totally destroyed. Luckily there AA T as no wind aiid the fire did not spread to the Technical School building, Avhich Avas separated bv only a narrow space. The cause of the fire is not known. It is a coincidence that Opunake School Avas burned about this time last year.

MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day The Governor-General has despatched the following cable to Lady Plunket-: ‘■The Government and people of Noav Zealand join Avith Lady Liverpool and myself, in expressing our great grief at the dentil of Lord Plunket, a former Governor of this Dominion, and our deepest sympathy with you and your family in vour sorrow.’’

SENIOR NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WELLINGTON, This Day. Successful- Senior National Scholarship candidate-—4v. H. Wilson (Hokitika) 1397 marks.