TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[UY TEMiGIt Al’lT—PF.tt PRESS ASSOCIATION]

AIR TRANSPORT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 1(1 The New Zealand aero transports Avid machine in charge ol Cuthbert Mercer,a rrived from the South Island last evening after a smart passage across the Strait. The aeroplane is fitted with 'the lowest powered engine of any machine which has Hown sterns-. Cook Strait and is the first to have landed within the confines ol Wellington City.

NATIONAL PROVIDENT KPN!) WELLINGTON, September 111.

Speaking of the National Provident Fund the Hon. W. Downie Stewart <■>'- (erred to the growth of the fund to show the expansion of its work. The Minister mentioned that in 11)17 the number of contributors was OS-17 and the amount of contribution income was C 11.817. In 1021 the figures were 91.825 and 12(1.000. To illustrate the substantial increase in the business ol the fund it was only necessary to mention that the first contributor was enrolled in 1911, and Hie fund now amounted to £019.205. The large accumulated fund lias been built up bv contributions ranging from ninepence per week. It was- hoped that the -olicme could be further extended for ihe benefit of the wnge-earners of the Dominion. One of the primary objects of the fund was to proxide for wliat bo tailed tbo ttmorg;onoios- ol’ life. It. was desired to do somet'liing more than the old age pension schedule did. He thought it was felt that just as the Civil Service had its superannuation scheme so the ordinary citizen should have one. Another feature was the provision for families which had been deprived of their breadwinner, uni then there were substantial maternity benefits. |t would be realised how -much good had been done and hoiv much the burden of the contributors had been lightened through their wisdom in contributing to these funds, lie thought the fund would make an increasing appeal to those who bad not facilities to meet emergencies, so he thought a period of increased usd illness and substantial growth could he expected. In the near future there would he great need for the old virtue of thrift. The filial would be a Ision to those who saw lit to take advantage of what is offered. COM PI. A TNTS A NSWER ED. WELLINOTON. Sept. U, With reference to complaints made at the R.S.A. last meeting here that returned soldiers were not receiving preference of employment in tho public service, t lie Association Public Service commissioner says that the promise that was made that preference would be given bad been adhered to. All that bad Is co asked was that n-lnined soldiers should bare prefer-

.■ iice, oilier things being eptial, and ibis undertaking bad Ihm-ii extended to the extent of giving returned soldiers preference even when they were no; ill all res|H'els as suitable as men who bad not been to the front.

EMPLOYERS’ PFOES HOPE. AUCKLAND. Sept. Ui. AI Hie annual mei'ting rtf tile pinvin i-ial Employers' Asoeiation. Mr Spencer (president) said that file time had arrived when the whole of the laws dealing with the settlement of labour disputes might well be repented and one Act substituted. He would -.iigecst one Court- only should be set up to adimlieati. all labour disputes, to bo open to all unions, whether rogist 'red under the .Vet or not. ami to all employers. Any strike or locknut iholild !.,. made absolutely illegal and punishable by fine (i|- imprisonment a-enrd-ing In culpability. WESTPORT TIIAHEDY. POISON TAKEN IN MISTAKE. WESTEORT. Sept. 17, At. an inquest to-day touching the dcntli of Edward Bradley, who was found on Wednesday in a dying si. te n-ar his but, ami shortly afterwards i-i llnpsod. it was shown that the deirasnl went to the hospital lo sweep the chimneys, and that a bottle ol stout was left oat for bis supper, am! also that a bottle of carbolic lisi’lieclant was left, in tile kitchen, where it had been used for disinfecting purposes. Tin- deceased bad. by mistake mi finishing bis job in the morning, taken tbo disnl'ectant away with lorn, and swallowed some of it. Apparently lie was trying to get back to the hospital when be collapsed on tho iondsilll'. A verdict ol accidental death through taking poison by mistake v as returned. \Y E 1,1 .-K N< >W N .70 CRN AI dST SUICIDES. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. Id. Cool-go E. Hendry, i-bief Suh-lgditor of th,. Christchurch “Sun” was fi mid hanging in the lavatory of his residence at Beckenham at d.JO p m. today. |'|e left tho “Sun” olliec at -1 p in. being tlmn in normal health. Deceased was a single mini and a iiiiliv,, nf Mosgiol. He was a former pupil of the Otago Boys’ High School, and started journalism in Dunedin. He was afterwards on the New Zealand “Times” and tile Auckland “Herald.” He joined the “Sun” as a reporter nt ils inception in 1913. STTLTj Ml SSI NO. ASITRURTON. Sept. id. The police are still searching for the esctiped prisoner Chapman. EIIIE AT ASHBURTON. ASHBURTON, Sept Id. A five-roomed house oeeupied I y At . .1 Yareoe, farmer, Laglimor, was completely destroyed by (ire last night. Vareite was in C’hristelmrcll, but bis wife and live small sons aged from two to nine years, wore alarmed by the lire and escaped only with their night, attire. Tile, bouse belonged to Cecil Doig and was insured for £7OO. KNOCKED DOWN BY MOTOR CAR. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. Id. .Tames Nathan Abraham, Commission agent. Burwood, was knocked down by a motor ear in the <ity and died in the Hospital.