TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

I*-* '»ELECIIAPH—PER PIIEBB ASSOCIATION]

A WONDERFUL RESCUE

WELLINGTON, May 5

Through the collapse of a large stack of Oregon baulk timber at Odlin’s timber yard this morning, a yard worker named J. Andrews was pinned under the slide of timber for over two hours, escaping sudden death only through being trapped in a cavity formed by the beams falling on a smaller stack. After strenuous exertions, in which over 60,000 feet of Oregon baulk were shifted weighing some 50 tons, Andrews was rescued. A few minutes before noon, tho ends of the timber were jacked up and allowed men to get beside him, themselves at the peril of their lives.

It is believed that no bones are broken, but Andrews is crushed about the middle and shoulders.

Another man, W. : Little, jumped from the stack just in time, getting off with cuts and bruises. Andrews was removed to tho hospital injured, but it is believed not critically.

The yard staff worked splendidly to effect the rescue.

The man Andrews, who was released in an unconscious condition, from th« timber stack, was removed to the hospital, where his condition is serious. Two men, who were with Andrews at the. time, got clear. It was a marvellous feat in rescue work, as over 60,(XX) feet of timber was removed, weighing 50 tons. A false move might have been fatal.

A MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT,

NAPIER, May 5. "Whilst proceeding on a slippery road from Molmka to Napier to-day, a taxi skidded and toppled over tho bank, turning three somersaults. A passenger", E. Harris ,suffered internal injuries, and injuries to his spine and scalp, and his condition is serious. A returned soldier named Taylor, sustained a broken leg and concussion. The driver, Willis, was badly shaken. Tho sufferers were conveyed to the Wairoa Hospital. Another car almost repeated the performance of the first by skidding in the same way, hut fortunately its progress was stopped after one wheel had gone over the edge of the bank. TO TIGHTEN THE MESHES. ‘ ' WELLINGTON, This Day. We aro going to tighten up the lawnext session said the Minister of Justice, when questioned about the bookmakers yesterday. Ho added the police had shown much activity in the enforcement of the law against bookmakers. Although lie recognised the professional betting men had not been put out of business. The position as far as the, law was concerned was that bookmaking was an unlawful occupation. There had been no weakening on the part of those in authority. The law was intended to lie enforced. ALL ABOUT SUGAR. WELLINGTON, This Day. The contract under which New Zealand is being supplied with sugar at the retail price of sixpence per pound ia shortly to expire. Since the arrangement made a year ago the price of sugar has fallen substantially on the worlds’ market, and it seems likely that a new contract will give Dominion consumers better terns.

Tho Aiinister of Industries and Commerce stated yesterday that no new arrangements had yet been made. lie mentioned that price was not tho sole factor to he considered. Tho certainty of an adequate supply was an important matter, and it would not do for Now Zealand to he dependent on the iluctnations of the outside market.

LAND laws administration

AN IMPORTANT CONFLUENCE

WELLINGTON, May 4

A three days’ conference in which the Minister of Lands, tho Hon D. H. Guthrie, met the Commissioners of Crown Lands, has just concluded here. Important questions regarding tho administrations of the Lands Department were discussed in detail, and some of the suggestions made will he embodied in a consolidating Lands Bill to he introduced next session.

Amongst the questions, considered wore problems regarding discharged soldiers’ settlement, the. cheaper provision of homes for such settlers, and further supervision and inspection regarding Government securities. The question of staffing in the different district offices was also discussed. These offices have suffered considerably from the depletion of their staffs, somo of their host men having of late years been absorbed by other departments. Tho questions of the acquisition of native freeholds on the deferred payment system, the ronding of Crown lands, the limit of advances to returned soldier settlers, and of dealing with arrears of payments also received full consideration. Atogether the conference, the Aiinister states, served a very useful purpose.