TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1920, Page 1

TELEGRAMS

(nan runes association.- oopyhight ]

PARTLY DISABLED SOLDIERS CHRISTCHURCH, July 1.

The matter of giving preference at soldiers’ land ballots to limbless men was discussed at a. meeting of those afflicted this evening. The following motion was carried: “That this meeting expresses its desire to co-operate with the T.B. Soldiers to secure preference at future ballots where sections are considered to be suitable for limbless and 'I’.B. soldiers. SUDDEN DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, July 1. Robert M. Watson, for 20 years Chief Engineer at the Islington Freezing Works dropped dead to-day in the office at the works. He leaves a widow two sons, and one daughter. VALUABLE BEQUEST. WELLINGTON, July 1. The late David Fleming of AVnverley, bequeathed a farm of 433 acres at Momohoki valued at nearly £7OOO, to the Wellington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, stipulating that the income from lease, at present amounting to £l7O a year should be used in payment of an Inspector’s salary. ' INQUEST PROCEEDINGS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 1. The inquest on the body .of G. L. Bowron was held to-niglit. Evidence was given that deceased left bis home on Wednesday morning and was not seen again by his family. Regarding two letters found on the body, one was addressed to a lady. It was in affectionate terms. The other read: “Dearest Father—Please forgive mo. I have done no evil. I had to go. I am sorry for all the trouble you have had straightening up niv affairs, but I couldn’t very well do it myself. Plea to father, will you give £SOOO of my my c ash to —' ? She is a very sweet girl, and I love her more than life. The rest of illy estate, please divide up as you think .best. Do not sorrow for me, because I bad a beautiful happy life, thanks to you and mother and all the family. Give my love to all, and think only sweet thoughts and forget all sorrow in connection with me. Good-bye—your loving son. (Signed), G. L. Bowron.”

A verdict was returned that deceased died as the result of bullet wounds in the month and throat self-inflicted.

OFFERS FOR LAMB. GISBORNE, June 30.

As indicating that there will be no serious slump in the frozen meat market I<td per pound was being offered to-day on behalf of American buyers for next season’s lamb.

CRIMINAL ASSAULT. AUCKLAND, June 30. Franklin John Smith; charged with criminal assault on a girl, was to-day sentenced by Mr Justice Cooper to seven years’ hard labour.

SHORTAGE OF CEMENT. AUCKLAND, June 30.

Tlio‘shortage of moment is one of the matters to be dealt with by the chairman of the Board of Trade, Mr W. G. MacDonald, during his visit to Auckland. M r McDonald stated to-day that when arrangements could be made to supply Wilson’s (Portland) Lime and Cement Co. with sufficient coal, the shortage would be overcome in a few months. Unfortunately, up to the present it had not been possible to provide this company with enough coal to enable it to run anywhere near its full capacity .

SUGAE SUPPLIES.

statement by me McDonald

AUCKLAND, June 30

The supply of sugar for New Zealand was the subject of some remarks Mr W|. G. McDonald, chairman of the Board of Trade. He said the Prime Minister had recently stated that the Government had pin-chased all the raw sugar in Fiji, and that the Colonial Sugar Company would be refining solely for the Government as from July Ist. Mr McDonald said he was not in a

position at present to add anything to that statement. The Prime Minister mut also announced that the price of

sugar as from the beginning of nest month was likely to be in tlie vicinity of (kl a pound, and even at this price New Zealand would be on a better footing than any other country where the sugar value was based on the world’s parity. The retail cost per ton would bo £56, and the wholesale price to-day for sugar from Java, probably tlie only other available source was £llß and £l2O f.o.b. Java, Britain was being strictly rationed and quite recently the ration had been reduced to six ounces a week. Tlie Government had secured more than sufficient sugar to supply New Zealand requirements on a pre-war basis. There was. however, an increasing demand for this commodity. It was hoped that the new price would steady consumption in the Dominion so far as luxuries were con-

fcerned, and thus induce economy. Under the new scheme it was hoped that tlie public would be able to secure more sugar than at present, provided nothing occurred to interfere with the continuous working of the Chelsea factory. Mr McDonald said his main business in Auckland would be to airangc details of a new agreement with the Colonial Sugar Company.