TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS. ■ ■ --—• | UY TELEGIIAI’H —l’Elt ritESS ASSOCIATION J £7O,(KJO DAMAGES. AUCKLAND, March 16. The damage as Briscoe’s lire is estimated at least £70,000. The insurances are £65,900 on the buildings, stock and fixtures. FOUR, YEARS IMPRISONMENT AUCKLAND. .March 16. At the Supreme Court, John Ernest Brastiny pleaded guilty to the tholt ot the yacht “Mizpab,” obtaining stores and equipment for a contemplated trip to America by means of valueless cheques. A sentence of four years’ reformative treatment was passed. PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY. AUCKLAND., Alarch 16. The hearing of the action in which £190,000 is claimed for alleged malfeasance of certain directors of the Portland Cement Company (in liquidation) was contiifued in tile Supreme Court. On behalf of the various defendants, counsel addressed the (ourt and replied in detail to the allegations of plaintiffs. One counsel said it was obvious that there was a considerable amount of business transacted |,v the company that bad not been the subject of any minute or record. Again th,. motives or reasons for the directors' acts rarely appeared in the minutes. Some of the directors were dead, and the memories of th t . others had f nlcd in the intervening years. Counsel asserted the statement of claim was truly a medley of charges. • The case was adjourned.

MOTOR FATALITY. AUCKLAND, Alarch 16. A boy named William Henry Prati, aged six years was run over by a motor lorry near Pukekohe yesterday ami killed. ' . A P.I’.A. RESOLUTION. DUNEDIN, March 13. At a crowded meeting here on Saturday night, under the auspices of the Protestant Political Association, a insolation was carried urging Mr Massey while attending Ibe London Conference, to direct his best efforts to support tile present policy of the British Government for restoration of order in Tie-, land and to maintain the present unity of the Empire. SKELETON IN RIVER BED. MASTERTON, March 13. Tim skeleton of an unknown man, with only hoots on, was found in the scrub in the Whareania river bed on Lang’s property, “The Peak” yesterday. No man is reported missing. It is believed that the body was washed down the river in tin* last Hood, which was seven months ago.

AMERICAN FLEET. TO VISIT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, March 16. The American licet is shortly to visit Auckland. Tlnj announcement to this effect is contained in a letter received l>v the American Consul-General at Auckland, Air A. A. AVinslow. The letter which is dated from the flagship of the U.S. Pacific Squadron, tin; New Mexico, says: “The Navy Depnrtment contemplates sending 8 battleships, 20 destroyers and nine supply ships and tenders on a cruise to Australia and through the S.S. Islands during the months of July, August and September of this year. They are making a stop at Auckland.” EGG LAYING RECORDS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 10. A world’s record has been established in the New Zealand Utility Poutry Club’s egg laying competition by a team of six ducks belonging to Air AV. T. Green, which, in a two year’s test have exceeded the existing world's record by 200 eggs. One duck in the competition has created a Dominion record by laying 318 eggs in 319 days.