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Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1922, Page 2

From time to time there flashes across the world a stirring tale of fee sea. In war time these stories were recounted with exciting frequency. In peace time the events do not happen with such regularity. And it is fortunate ’tis so. Such a tale however is recounted this week when the English Lowestoft trawler made such a sustained effort, in the face of deadly peril, to rescue the crew of the German steamer “Vesta”. A ship afire is a dreadful plight, and blazing with oil, there

is not much chance for those aboard beyond taking to the boats. In n storm such a course would be hilt an alternate death. When matters ware at. their worst for the burning German steamer, a passing trawler sighted its plight and steamed to the rescue. The Englishmen launched a boat and in the face of snow r and terrible seas tried to succour the doomed crew. Apparently terrified beyond action they would not help themselves by jumping into the. row-boat. Tn thiis impasse the skipper of the trawler brought his boat twice within range of the burning ship. It must have been a difficult and doubly dangerous manoeuvre. On the third effort, circumstances favored better, and of the remaining crew, all were rescued but one. That one could not he left to his apparent fate, so we are told that Skipper Jenkerson “with wonderful skill” brought the trawler up again, and cresting a wave, his crew pulled the last man aboard by main force. The incident is an heroic example of the splendid pluck and daring of tho British seaman. “Peace

hath her victories, no less renowned than war,” is an apt quotation to repeat, nnd surely war incidents can supply no firm example of heroic pltrck and splendid seamanship to save a fellow being. The story as briefly told in tho cables is one of those inspiring examples of what those who go down to the sea in ships are ready and prepaved to do for fellow men In the hour of danger. It is well that it is so. It is to the credit of our civilisation and to the glory of our race that it was evor so, and Jenkersoa and hes men are evidence that the right typo < seaman still sail the ses*. Britain is losing no time vn putting the new regime in Southern Ireland in office. There is evidence of bona files on both sides. Indeed Bjitain seems ►to be anticipating events for there has not ns yet been the formal ratification of the Irish treaty by tho Parliament in London. However, the Provisional Government has been established wil 1 out loss of time, and in the spirit and with a heartiness that betokens good will. The King very appropriate! j»4*elograplied his congratulations and good wishes, indicating that the fullest assent has been given to the proceedings. In the same wi>y the military in occupation are being evacuated. This is evidence supreme that Ireland will l>e left to work out her own destiny without any coercive measures. The provisional Government is to carry out tho administration of Ireland, till time permits for the constitution of fho

Free State Parliament. Thus is the transformation of Ireland being brought

about with vigour and dispatch. May the ideal of a happy, free and pros- ; perous Ireland be quickly attained. i

Messrs Lock and Morris, of Kanieri, give final notice for payment of a’l accounts. A, dance will be held in the Supreme Hall on Saturday 21. Proceeds to go to the hospital. Admission Is. —Adrt. Special purchase of children’s frocks in all shes and colours. Don’t miss the opportunity of securing at Lloyd’s one of these bargain frocks. Mr James Burns, of Sydney, accompanied by an expert, will be visiting the Murchison district shortly in connection with the oil development foreshadowed on that locality. The Grey Watersiders excursion comes to Hokitika to-morrow arriving abouis 11 o’clock and departing at 6 p.m. Cass Square will be the location of the visitors, and the new hot water apparatus will be used! for the first time. A sure and pleasant spec!"c for removing Worms is WADF’fi FIO.=!.

Mr O. J. E. Linnemann invites tenders for painting residence.

The oliicial tally of rats killed, as a plague precautionary measure, in the Canterbury-West Coast Health district, | • is now over 3000 j of this total approximately 2000 have been killed in the Christchurch Metropolitan area. . 1 The Wanganui County Council discussed the matter of wages in committee, and decided to reduce those of the surfacemen to 12s 6d per day. This • means a drop of 3s 6d per day for some of the men. 11l was) also decided to re- j duce salaries hv 10 per cent. ; After the local races (telegraphs the J Kaikoura correspondent of the Press), two Christchurch “welshers” got away from Kaikoura with about £3OO, after an exciting chase across country. They travelled throughout th e night, and eventually got away to Christchurch by car.

“There is only one religion in Australia and New Zealand, according to Air Douglas, captain of the .English cricket team, and that is ‘Play the game,’ said Air I. G. Emery, the manager of the South African athletes at the Wellington reception to the team, ‘‘and that the Springboks would do their best to do.” (Applause.)

The Christchurch “Press” says:— The haka which the members of the Y.M.C.A. walking tour patented on the West Coast was used to good effect at tiie function on Wednesday, when the health of the Westland Progress League and Dr Teiolielmann was proposed. The base of the linka is as follows: “Hokitika—bee! Kumara haa! Kanieri lice Haa, Otir aa! Tcremakau. Y.M. West—West Coasters!” The haka. w liich became very well known on the Coast, is a very effective one indeed.

Godd accounts are current of the working of the big dredge at South Hokitika. The machinery is continuing to work satisfactorily and the dredge is said to bo turning over 4,000 cubic yards of dirt every twenty-four hours. Considering the material handled, this is very satisfactory indeed, the full capacity in suitable ground not being more than 50001 cubic yards ,per diem. The machinery and plant are standing up to its task very well indeed, and those associated with the enterprise are said to be well satisfied with the progress.

At Addington stock sales on Wednesday a fair entry of small pigs was forward, and prices were about on a par with last week. Values were:—Choppers £2 7s 6d to 02 12s fid, light baconers £2 12s fid to £3 ss, heavy baconers £3 10s to £4, average price per lb s]d to s|d, light porkers £1 15s to £2, heavy porkers £2 5s to £2 7s fid,

average per lb 6d to id. A moderate entry of store pigs, mostly below medium in size, was forward, and prices • were about the same as at the previous .sale. Sows in pig were unsaleable. Values were:—Medium stores 18s to J 30s, small stores' 14s to 17s, weauers 8s to 13s. 1 The Acting Minister of Railways declared in the House on Wednesday that the daily loss on the railways is £4OOO, and there is no prospect of making reductions of freights and fares. This course had been suggested by Air Witty, the member for Riecarton, who considered it warranted on account of reductions in overseas freights and in the cost of living. He also thought traffic might thereby lie stimulated. Air Guthrie’s reply to the last suggestion iva** that it did not coincide witii the Department’s experience. The position was serious, and although freights and fares were under consideration lie did not see how they could possibly he reduced.

-Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., lieUl n sitting of tlie Juvenile Court yesterday afternoon, when several charges were heard. In the first case three lads ranging from 14 to lot years, were charged with an assault on a young girl on New Year’s morning. After hearing evidence the two younger lads (brothers) were convicted and discharged and the eldest lad was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence, when called on for a period of twelve months, the Magistrate relying on the father’s promise to restrict the lad going out at night unless under parental control. In the second case, a charge of causing mischief on the Wakaiti on New Year’s morning, four lads (including the three mentioned in the first case) were brought up. After hearing evidence in which two of the lads denied the truth of statements they had made to the police, the Magistrate dismissed the charges, holding that there was an absence of corroborative evidence against two, while the other two had denied totally any connection therewith and there was no proof whatever. The charges were accordingly dismissed. Mr Murdoch appealed for the defendants in both cases and Sergt King tor the police. Another charge against two lads, of interfering with a boat moored in the river, wr.s adjourned for two weeks as one of the defendants had not received sufficient time to put in an appearance

Wo arc* making a special showing of 1 ’.'ilroom suites of reliable quality at quite low prices. You will be wcicome I<j insi>ect them at any time without being bothered to buy, and we think their tasteful styles and -good value will appeal to you. Our spare bedroom suite, comprising wardrobe with leadlight, duchesse chest with bevel mirror, bedroom pedestal and double sice wooden bedstead is supplied, delivered at Hokitika for £l6 Ids. All our furniture is made in our own factory and we guarantee our workmanship. Correspondence is invited and quotations given for any lurniture and furnishings. Harley and Coy., Ltd., complete house furnishers, Grcyinouth. —Advt.