TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS

1.1“ Jill PRESS ASSOCIATION.— •COPYIIIGBT.J

Huntly extended mine.

AUCKLAND, July 2

Work in the Extruded coal mine at Huntly, which was stopped a lire in No 4 section, has not yet been resumed. Yesterday afternoon two or throe slight local explosions occurred at the section of the outbreak, and resulting in noxious vapours, rendered it inadvisable to keep the men in the mine during the night. One man got a touch of gas yesterday, but this morn-" ing ho is practically all right. The work of subduing the lire was resumed this morning, and it is believed that fw will bo safe enough to allow the men to/ go back to work on Monday.

NEW ZEALAND STAFF CORPS. WELLINGTON, July I. The Defence Department lias instituted a Saturn whereby ineinbelie of the New Zealand permanent staff will have an opportunity of gaining admittance to the Staff Corps. Previous to 1911 entrance to the Staff Corps was obtained by a test course conducted at Tauliorenikau, the successful candidates being posted to the corps at its termination. Since that time appointments to the Staff Corps have been made through the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australia, a limited number of vacancies being offered each year and competed for by candidates of between 17 and 18 years of age. It has lately been decided, however, to offer a few vacancies annually in the Staff Corps to candidates from tile permanent staff by coiqpetitive examinations. This examination will bo similar in principle to that of candidates from Duntroon, for it is recognised that members of the staff Corps must possess a high educational standard if they are to carry out their duties successfully. As the endeavour of the Defence Department is to restrict the size of its Staff Corp and permanent staff, the number of vacancies offered in the Staff Corps to members of the permanent staff will be small, but sufficient to give tlie most efficient and best educated sergeant-majors an opportunity of entering the Staff Corps without passing through Duntroon College. The first examination for entrance to tlie Stafl Corps will be held- towards the end of this month. A system of examinations for promotion in five Staff Corps lias been reintroduced in tlie Dominion, and is similar to that carried.out for officers in the Imperial Army. Such an examination will be held in April, 1921. Papers will be sent out to New Zealand flora tlie War Office, and will be returned to England for. marking.

SUGAR WORKERS DISSATISFIED AUCKLAND, July 4.

A stop-work meeting of the Sugar Workers’ Union was to have been bold at Chelsea Sugar Refinery on Saturday morning, but owing to the Union being refused permission to bold it on the premises, the meeting did not ovciltilate. Tim secretary of the Union states that lie and Mr Bartram, M.P., were refused admission to the works, and permission to enter was also withheld when a promise was given that he and Mr Bartram would not interfere with the men employed, but would confine their visit to mi investigation of the conditions. The Company had actually obtained the services ol two policemen to see that the Company’s wishes were observed.

The management of the Sugar Company would not admit the accuracy of the Union Secretary’s statement, blit neither will it. make any pronouncement on the matter.

The members of tlie Union are holding a meeting to-day to discuss the position. No decision lias vet- been made known.