TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

RAILWAY ACCIDENT.

LEYIN, March 22,

In order to climb the Pukerua Saddle near PHmmerton, on Saturday last, a train to Palmerston North was divided at the bottom. YVhen the engine was returning for the second section, the impact with the carriages were so severe as to cause injuries to several passengers Stanley Withers got severe cuts on the face and W. Steele a severe shock. They were taken to Otaki Hospital. Steel is still in the institution. Some carriages were damaged, and the train was delayed two hours.

A MAN* MISSING. HAMILTON, March 20.

Albert Davy’s, single, aged 50 is missing. He had been staying with his sister. The latter had been on holiday and hearing nothing from her brother, returned on Saturday and found the house in order and no isign of her brother. Davis was an enthusiastic bather, and his bathing suit is missing from the bouse. Davis was a gardner in comfortable circumstances.

TUBERCULAR SOLDIERS. WAIPUKURAU, March 22,

An extraordinary general meeting of patients, represented of disabled tubercular soldiers, has been called for Wednesday at Pukeroa Sanatorium. The business is to discuss a resolution passed at last meeting, “that in view of the fact that no satisfactory scheme of repatriation has been brought forward for Tuberculosis cases, all suffering from this disability should secede from the R.S.A and form an association of their own. The R.S.A were advised a week ago, as a result of the meeting that they should define further- the status of tubercular soldiers.

PUBLIC WORKS WAGES. WELLINGTON, -March 22

The Minister of Public Works announced to-day that he had brought the matter of the rate of pay of casual workers in the employ of his Depar :m r,t before Cabinet this morning, and that Cabinet had agreed that all such workers should receive an additional bonus of one shilling a day, the bonus to be paid from March, and this to apply to all men earning pay at the rate.of from 12s to 14s per day, inclusive. The rates will therefore be from 13s to 15s per day and the increase is to be given to casual employees only. Permanent employees, such as gangers, are not, for the present at any rate, included under this bonus.

OBITUARY.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 22

A very well known priest, in the person of Father Charles Bell died today at Mount Magdala. He was eigbtvsix years of age. He came out to New Zealand twenty five years ago, with Bishop Grimes.

APPEAL BY MINISTER. CHRISTCHURCH, March 22

In a statement made to-night, the Hon Nosworthy said the official estimate of the land sown in wheat this year -,was 142,960 acres, which is the lowest since 1876, and with an estimated yield of 29 bushels per acre, this will produce only 4,145,840 bushels. This yield will be insufficient for the requirements of the Dominion but with about two million bush els of Australian wheat on hand it is hoped, with the small carry over from Inst harvest, that our supply for the next twelve months will lie sufficient to meet the internal demands. On behalf of the Government, I wish to make a very strong appeal to farmers to grow as much wheat as they possibly can this year, in order that sufficient will he produced for the Dominion’s requirements and thus avoid the necessity of going to Australia or elsewhere for supplies. I trust that farmers, when they realise the position, will respond to the appeal of the Government, and thus ensure that New Zealand will be self-sup-porting in this very essential commodity. To my mind it is a very serious state of things when a young country, such as this; with a little over a million people, is unable to satisfy its own wants as far as wheat is concerned.

RAILWAY TUNNELLERS STRIKE. AUCKLAND, March 22.

Advice that the tunnellers engaged at Huaru Tunnel on the North Auckland main trunk railway have ceased work, was received to-day by the Auckland Railway League. It was stated that the outside men were still working, but wore in sympathy with the strikers. It is understood the men have determined not to resume until their demand for 16s a shift for tunnellers and 15s a day for railway workers, is conceded. The men engaged on the work at the tunnel previously struck in 1916 and the strike lasted for twelve months.