TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS

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WELLINGTON WOOL SALES. WELLINGTON, Dec. 20,

The first Wellington wool sales since 1915,' were held to-day. Prices lor finer wools were better than anticipated. Some of the best bidding came from one Or two buyers, apparently' executing commissions lor America. When lines other than fine cross breds and halt breds were offered, interest flagged. When Bradford was concerned coarse cross breds sold badly. Superfine Romneys realised lid and good crossbred hoggets brought lOjd. Some fine Marlborough merino was passed 111 at' 13d per 11). Medium cross breds met with an irregular demand 5-Jd to 7jd; coarse cross breds 'under 40s quality were neglected, bids moving from 3d to od. Soutlidowns were well competed lor up to 13d. -

THE IIEMUERA FIRE. WELLINGTON, Dec 19,

It was most fortunate that the fire in the Rcinuera was noticed in its incipient stages. ' Had is simply smouldered until the vessel'.had started on her home ward voyage the damage would have been much more serious. The fire must have been burning on her way down the Coast. It was located in No 5 hold amongst some flax and wool, from which smoke was coming. The •Wellington Fire Brigade was quickly on t' ic wharf, and, the superintendent himself entering the hold, soon*had the water playing on the burning caigo. The captain of the ship speaks in terms of the higliest praiso of his smartness in getting to work, and of his action 111 using only the minimum of water necessary” to that little damage was done to

the cargo. Onco the firo was put out the damaged cargo was discharged and it was found that 110 damage had been done to the skip, which will sail on her advertised date— Tuesday—next —for Southampton and London, via Panama . ' Among the passengers proceeding to England will be Sir Jolni and Lady Findlay, wjio go to pay a visit to their soils, 0110 of whom is in Paris and the other with the army in Ireland.

POLICE-INSPECTOR MATHIESON DUNEDIN, Dec. 20.

Sub-Inspector Wm. Mathieson, wh has been promoted to Hie rank ol Inspector, and transferred to Greymouth, was tendered a civic farewell to-day. Eulogistic reference was made hv the Mayor and others to Ills ability alia his impartiality as a police officer. Regret was expressed at his departme, and hopes entertained that he would return to Dunedin shortly on still furthc. promotion. Mrs Mathieson was presen ed with a substantial wallet of bank notes. Considerable enthusiasm w; shown throughout the proceedings.

FATAL FALL. DUNEDIN. Dec 20

Win. Roberts a marred man aged sixty years fell from a scaffolding ten feet high while wheeling debris. No one saw him fall, but he was found, lying on the footpath along with his barrow in an unconscious condition. He had a bad cut on the side of his head. The unfortunate man died while oil his way to the hospital.

BETTING PROSECUTION. WELLINGTON, Dee 20

Two breaches of the Gaming Act were alleged against James Patterson, who appeared in the Magistrate’s Court today before Mr Hunt SAL Patterson was charged:—(!) That between November on the 29th and noon on December 9th, having the use of the Star Private Hotel, at the corner of Cuba, and Webb Streets, lie used the same as ;v common gaming house; (2) that lie carried on bookmakfng as a side line.

Evidence was given by Constables who said, they had made bets with the accused under instructions from their superior officers.

Accused on the first charge reserved his defence,-and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed. The second charge was adjourned sine die. BOOKMAKERS FINED. WELLINGTON, Dec 19. Dennis William Driscoll and Reginald John McEwan were convicted by M r Hunt S.M., on the charge of keeping a common gaming house. A fine of £IOO was imposed on each defendant with costs. Commenting on the ease Mr Hunt .said that had the defendants been operating in a. big way and had they told Jibs in then - evidence the penalty would have been heavier. He said thero was ample evidence to warrant a conviction in the case. Chief Detective IVard said it was only fair to say about the men that they did do a certain amount of printing, and did not make a living solely in betting. They had been beforo the court in February last on the charge of keeping a gaming house and had been convicted and fined. NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNION WELLINGTON, Dec 20. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union met to-night with reference to the South African tour. Thomas Cook and Son wrote intimating that accommodation could he reserved on the Blue Funnel boats about the end of April.

Mr A .It. Palmer, of Sydney, in a letter to .the fjecretary, said that New South )Yales would have a strong team to visit New Zealand next season.

Correspondence was received from the secretary of the New South Union relative to the visit of the French Rugby team to Now South Wales and New Zealand. It was resolved that the visit could not be entertained during 1921 ,but the visit Would he facour--192.1, but the visit would be favourably considered for 1922 season, New South Wales and the New Zealand Unions to take the whole .of the profits. Members were of opinion that a return visit, should bo made under the auspices of the two Unions.