TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS

LpEH ItUESS ASSOCIATION.- COPYHIOIIT.] FARMERS’ POLITICAL PARTY. AUCKLAND, May-??. The annual conference of the Auckland .Provincial Farmers’ Union discussed the question of politics at some length to-night, and it was decided to form a farmers’ political party, which shall he distinct from any of the existing political parties. LOSS OF THE KAHU. AUCKLAND, May 28. An enquiry ivas held to-day, at the Magistrate’s Court, regarding the missing scow Kahu. Mr E. C. Gotten, S.M., presided, the nautical assessors being Captain 13. llighain and Captain W. Reid. Captain Fleming, of the Marine Department, was also present. The Court found the Kahu was lost with all hands on or about March 2bth, 1920, whilst on a voyage from Motiti Island to Auckland. The Court was of opinion that the vessel foundered in exceptionally bad weather,- and also that the ship immediately prior to her ioss, was seaworthy, fully equipped, manned, and safely loaded.

■ A DISORDERLY HOUSE'. DUNEDIN, May 28 Margaret Parker was charg'd on demand at the Police Court 10-diy with keeping a disorderly house, and was convicted and sentenced to (> months’ imprisonment. The Magistrate'; Mr Bartholomew, said that aacuseil was a menace to the community. Two weman, charged with assisting, were convicted, one being committed to the Aaiva ion Army Home, and the other reman led for sentence pending- arrangements regarding a suitable home. A STEWARD’S THEFT, TIMAEU, May 28. • At tlie Supreme Court to-day, Win. Leonard Ellis, a third-class steward in tile liner Corinthic, which he was to leave at Wellington, was sentenced to three years’ reformative treatment for receiving an overcoat, knowing Jt to be stolen while the steamer was at l’iniaru. Accused admitted being in the hotel from which, the coat was stolen, but dented all knowledge of the theft. Mr Justice Sim said he did not believe accused, and would consider probation if he made a clean breast of it and told how all the thefts in Tiinaru were e >mmitted. Accused’s counsel said accused was not obstinate; he really did not know. The coat was found at Wellington under the mattress in one of the large number of unoccupied cabins which were under accused’s charge. MEN RETURN TO WORK. WELLINGTON, May 27.

Regarding the refusal of tlie waterside workers yesterday to work the cargo of Port Kembla coal in the steamer Port Nicholson, a statement was issued to-day by the secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union, that a full meeting of the union this morning discussed tlie matter, and decided that the men concerned in the dispute should start work, the question of the rate of pay to be submitted to the Local Disputes Committee immediately on the men resuming.

The Local Disputes Committee met, and it was decided that 3d per hour extra he paid, on account of the dirty nature of the coal.

The question as to whether till per hour extra bo paid on all the Port Ivembla coal was referred to the National Disputes Committee. A POSTAL ROBBERY. AUCKLAND, May °9. At six o’clock last night a postal official at Runciman when about to enter his office, was accosted by a man with a. revolver who seized a sum of money and took the postman’s bievelo and rode away. Tlie police search for the offender so far, is unsuccessful.