TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS

(feu puesb association - copyright ] REMUERA ON FIRE. WELLINGTON, Dec 18. Shortly before seven o’clock this morii_ ing a fire was discovered in tho cargo of tlie lower tween decks in Nd 5 bold of the New Zealand Shipping Coy’s steamer Remuera, lying at King’s Wharf. The brigade were summoned, and after a strenuous fight of three hours, succeeded in extinguishing the outbreak. A quantity of wool and flax was destroyed. This was the third fire of the sumo nature on overseas vessels at Wellington this year.

A HAZARDS SCHOOL. WELLINGTON, Dec. 17

Wharf loungers were . startled this afternoon by the sudden appearance of a motor-car containing a squad of police which dashed on to the Lambton wharf and pulled up with a round turn along side a big ring of men, who, it is alleged, were engaged in a game of hazards. The gathering dispersed in all directions, but the police succeeded in arresting six of the men—James Grant, Samuel Jarvis, Harry Coleman, George Peters, Charles Henry Tawson. and Lawrence Joseph Taylor. Subsequently five of them were released on bail. They will appear in tlie Police Court to-mor-row charged with playing hazards.

OPOSSUMS. WELLINGTON, Dec. 10

A conference was held to-day, presided.over by the Hon G. J. Anderson, to deal with the question of regulations respecting opossums, under the provisions of the Animals Protection Amendment Act passed last session. Representatives of tlie Forestry, Lands and Survey, Internal Affairs, and Agricultural Departments were present, together with Mr Tripp (president of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society), Professor Kirk, Mr Shelton (manager of the Fruitgrowers’ Association) and Mr Stewart .(of Mooney and Co., Dunedin, representing furriers’ interests). It is hoped that as a result of the deliberations of the conference satisfactory regulations will be drawn up.

THE DENTAL CONTROVERSY. DUNEDIN, Dec. 10,

Local M.P.’s and members of the dental profession conferred in private about the Government’s school dental scheme. Tlie disputed issues were fully discussed, and after a later conference among the M.P.’s themselves, it was decided that Mr T. Iv. Sidey should draft a telegram embodying the views of the meeting, and forward it to the Minister (the Hon C. J. Parr) suggesting that another conference be arranged between himself Mr Hunter,’and tlie New Zealand Dental Association.

WELLINGTON RETAIL TRADE WELLINGTON, Dec. 17

Retailers continue to report excellent trade, tlie week closing with a splendid turnover. The warm, line weather is bringing tlie crowds out, and money is being spent very freely. It is expected that the difficulty of arranging remittances to London will ease shortly, as large consignments of dairy produce will soon reach tlie terminal markets and he converted into cash. This does not mean that importers will be encouraged to continue importing heavily. The imports for the year of high-priced merchandise has been excessive, and curtailment is imperative. The tapering-off process has already begun, as indentors know tnll well, but its effect will not be apparent for two or three months. After March next, the slackness should be apparent, and while this should bo welcomed for the general good, it is likely to be bad for the watorsiders, for there will lie less work for them. In this also, the community will benefit, because those tradesmen, such as painters, carpenters, plumbers, who took to wnarf woik because it offered better wages than the trades, will return to tlie latter, and will so help the community to carry out necessary work.

WELLINGTON COLLEGE. WELLINGTON, Dec. 16

Mr F E. Ward, chairman of the Board of Governors of Wellington College, at the annual breaking-up, pleaded for a new building to replace that with which they were, with difficulty, carrying on. He mentioned that old boys had subscribed £SOOO for a Memorial Hall, which should be an integral part of the new school. The Prime Minister (Mr Massey) who was present, later on said that the m „nev would he found for the new building as soon as it was possible to arrange for finance and labour. He included the Girls’ College, as well. But they must not think that every place but Wellington was adequately provided with schools. Mr Massey also paid a high tribute to Mr .T. P. Firth, the retiring headmaster.

HEAVY BUTTER SHIPMENTS. DUNEDIN, Dec. 1(5.

Lar"e parcels of butter are being forwarded to Dunedin for shipment to England for the Imperial Government and supplies are so heavy that the cool store near the Victoria wharf lias become congested. The position » accentuated through the difficulty in {jetting sufficient transport to the North for shipment to the Home market. Mr G. A. Lamb (secretary of the South Island Association) said to-day that the overseas shipping committee had granted an additional allotment of space for butter in the lonic, now loading at Port Chalmers. UNION COMPANY RETICENT. DUNEDIN, Dec. '.7. The Union Steamship Company is reticent concerning the rumoured stewards’ strike. There is nothing to say so far as the company is concerned hero.