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Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES. WELLINGTON, Feb 23. On receiving the news of the result of the South African elections Mr Massev telegraphed to General Smuts as follows: “Nqw Zealand heartily congratulates you upon the splendid results of the South African elections. It was not only a personal triumph, but an emphatic endorsement of a. United Empire policy.” General Smuts lias replied as follows : —“Am very grateful for your kind congratulations. The dominant issue in the elections was secession from tin, Empire. The result, therefore, is of general Imperial significance.”

EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGE. WELLINGTON. Feb 23

Joseph Henry Pike, who was arrested just before the departure ot f.ie Sydney boat, pleaded guilty to embezzling £423 from bis employers, Ferguson and Osborne. It was stated by the police that gambling caused bis downfall. Prisoner was committed tor sentence. shortage of apprentices. NAPIER, February 23. The serious shortage of apprentices in the building and allied trades "as discussed by the Architects’ Conference

to-day. Mr .1 Greig (Hawke's Bay) moved, and Mr IV. M. Page (Wellington) seconded that the Council of the Institute confer with the Builders’ Federation and other interested bodies on the apprentices question, with a \ie" to concerted action being adopted. Taking the case of Napier, Mr Greig quoted figures to show that apprentices had decreased since 1911 from ten to nil the carpentering trade, from two to one in the painting trade, and from fourteen to nil in the plumbing trade. An amendment moved by Mr T. H. Buttle (Wanganui), and seconded by Mr C. H. Roberts (Southland), that the Council write to builders pointing out the necessity of inducing more apprentices to the trade, was lost, and Mi Greig’s motion was carried.

SUGAR STEALING CASE

AUCKLAND, Feb. 24

At the Court ten of receiving sugar and knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained, were preferred against Isaac Wootton, a buslmian. Walter Strong, who previously admitted theft, deposed to selling a quantity of sugar to accused, receiving 32s fid for 701 b hags. Witness had told accused the sugar was alright. Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed tor trial. Charges of receiving against Edward Wood (retired grocer of Avondale), and Andrew Anthony Green (grocer of Grey Lynn) were dismissed.

The Magistrate, Mr Boynton, said he did not think there was any use in sending the cases to a jury. An important factor was the price, and the accused always paid the full price, ajul, iu fact, a little more. ACCIDENTAL DEATH. DUNEDIN. Feb 24. Tim inquest was concluded on Marshall Hugh Browne, commercial travelici ol Christchurch, who died in tne hospital as the result of being knuckl'd down by a motor car on February 10th. A verdict of- accidental death was returned. The Coroner exonerated the driver of the car from blame Ho drew the attention of the City Council to the position of the tram stopping place near which the accident happened.

MATTHEWS’ SENTENCE. INVERCARGILL, Feb 24. The petition here for the reprieve of Matthews, the Timuru murderer, who is a native of Invercargill, is being circulated bv the local hrane-i of the W.C.T.U is based on the conditions of Ids early home life and heredity as brought out at the trial T-ie Mayor lias boon advised by the Minister of Justice that Cabinet will consider the petition before dealing with the sentence