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Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1922, Page 2

A meeting of the School War Memorial will be held this (Monday) evening at 8 o’clock.

A combined spinsters and bachelors ball will be held in the Totara Hall, Ross, on Friday next, February 10th. It is expected that General Russell who will arrive here on Friday next will deliver an address that evening at the Town Hall.

It was stated in Christchurch last week that most of the dairy companies in Canterbury had decided to pay lid per lb. for butter-fat delivered in January, the price during December having been 9£d per lb.

It is reported that a movement is now afoot to join the several Opposition factions outside of official Labour and go to the next election as one party. The idea has not progressed much so far, but it is understood that the parties concerned have held a a conference.

Mr Seddon telegraphed on Saturday night that he had made representations to the Hon Minister of Public Works regarding the Supplementary Estimates and was hopeful of gefiffiag some fro „ votes for the district, as well as the reinstatement of district votes which had been cancelled.

Entries for the West Coast Bowling Club’s tournament at Hokitika, commencing on Tuesday, Feb. 14th, closed on Saturday. There are 15 rinks entered (pne from the Beckenham Club of Christchurch, three from the Westport Club, seven from the Greymouth Club, and four from Hokitika) and 28 pairs, representing the same Clubs. The full list, with the arrangement for the two first days’ play will be published tomorrow.

The mutton birds are at present flying north in their thousands and thousands, on the way to their winter home, and they afforded an interesting sight on Thursday as they flew in massed formation over the sea some miles out from the St Kilda beach (says the “Otago Daily Timees”). Students of bird life consider that the birds are making their migratory flight a little earlier this year. Where they go during their absence from the Dominion no one appears to know. The birds return to their southern nesting places about October and November. Referring to the tea market, a Sydney paper of last week says:—Prices in practically all producing centres have now reached a level at which almost all Australian importers are standing out. This policy is considered necessary pending the consumption of older local stocks, which were bought at lower rates. This will mean restricted arrivals. There were fairly heavy arrivals of Java tea early in the week, and the trade locally has been engaged on these new arrivals. It is understood that they represent the last of the heavy shipments likely to be received here for some time, as most of the importers stopped buying in Java early in December, owing to high prices. The quantity of Ceylon tea due by the Ormonde on February 4th is expected to be small, and it is thought that there will be practically none on the following steamer, except a few lino teas which are coming against definite buyers’ orders. The position is that there is enough tea in Sydney at present to go on with, but quantities to arrive later on are small.

A recent arrival in Melbourne from Canada, John Stringer, fell a victim to the “notes for gold” swindle last week as the result of which 'he lost £SOO. Stringer told the police that he met a man on the previous Sunday, and again met him on the Monday. He told Stringer that he was going to hook a passage to New Zealand and then to Canada. ’Stringer became interested at the mention of Canada, and the men spent the da y together. Stringer met his newly-found friend at 9.30 in the morning, and he said, “I’m going to the Treasury to see someone to change some notes for gold for me.” They went to the Federal Treasury, and Stringer was introduced to a man in the streets who was described as “Mr Collins, the Secretary of the Treasury.” Stringer was told that this man could obtain gold for notes. Stringer drew £I2OO out of the bank. The friend gave “Mr Collins” some notes, and Stringer handed across £SOO. Stringer’s friend was given a shilling to buy something at a shop for “Mr Collins,” who entered the Treasury Building. Stringer waited in vain for either of the men to put in an appearance.

MOTORISTS. Be wise. Install “AIRFRICTION” Carburettors. Greater power and speed and easy starting guaranteed from low grade motor fuel. Thousands installing them. Manning Machinery Co., 5 Bedford Row, Christchurch. | WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS. U an pffectirg hetlJi preservative.

The Hokitika State School resumed to-day. The School Committee meets to-night.

A meeting of the Westland Chamber of Commerce will be held at 7.30 tomorrow evening. Mr Seddon M.P. is likely to visit Westland at the close of the session this week. There a,re hopes that the Hon Parr, Minister of Hospitals, will be able to be on the Coast very soon now. It is understood that the Hon Captain Downie Stewart. Minister of Internal Affairs, will be “best mail” at the approaching marriage of Mr Seddon. For the 26th time the Bdunner excursion visited Cass Square oh Saturday. There wa© a good cprowd, though not nearly as many as the previous Saturday. The day was gloriously fine. A programme of sports was carried through successfully while an excellent band enlivened the proceedings. The visitors returned homo at j 6.15 p.m. after a very successful dutMg. As a result of a meeting held on Friday evening to consider its financial position, the Greymouth branch of the Returned Soldiers Association, has found it necessary to abolish the club, owing, it is stated, to the lack of support received from members. The normal work of the Association can still be carried on, the money that was previously centred in the club being now diverted to the protection policy of the Association. The closing of the club rooms will take effect from March 3lst.

A. large party of Syrians, who have

for some time been resident in our midst, departed by the second express on Thursday for the land of their birth (bays the “Otago Daily Times”). The

farewells were of an unusually affectionate character, doubtless heightened by the recognition that in many cases the parting was recognised as a permanent severance. The explanation of the exodus lies in the fact that when conditions w T ere bad in their native land

a number of Syrians came to the Dominion in search of occupation and a larger measure of liberty. Conditions have now changed for the better in Syria and those who departed this week have been influenced by this change, combined with their natural love for

their homeland. Interest is being generated already in the Chautauqua season which takes place over four nights during next month. The principal artists are of very pronounced ability. Of Miss Ella McKenzie, the London Morning Post said:! “Miss Ella McKenzie’s piano-

forte recital at the Aeolian Hall was a treat for music lovers] Bach’s Chromatic Fanta.sie and Eugue, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, and Liszt’s 14th Rhapsodie, together with some Chopin and a trifle by VogrisK made up her share of the programme. Miss McKenzie played throughout unaffect-

edlv and with authority.” Miss Lo

Desea Loveland is a dramtio soprano. Miss Loveland’s name is a familiar one in the concert world of the eastern part of the United Sates. She possesses a voice of unusual range, power and flexibility and will present a programme that will be of genuine interest to all music lovers. Her e xtensive repertoire includes songs that will appeal to every s 'ction of the audience.

i In the Legislative Council on Fri | ,1)' At-

day tiie Hon M. Cohen asked the . ' torney-General whether it was the intention of the Government in the near future to increase substantially the charges to users of telephones? “I have been advised,” he said, “that much astonishment and considerable alarm have been felt in Dunedin among business ad professional circles, as well as among the general public, at the announcement in the local press that it is proposed to raise the price of telephones to £9 in the case of private users and to £24 for banks, insurance companies, shipping companies and big mercantile concerns. If this statement is without foundation its prompt and emphatic denial will be welcomed by all interested.” “The Government regrets.” said tlie Attorney-General in reply, “that astonishment and alarm should have been felt in Dunedin, and 1 regret that I am not able to give information now that would allay the astonishment and alarm. The Government has,under consideration an increase in telephone charges, but no decision has yet been arrievd at.” At the Parliamentary presentation to Mr Seddon at Bellamy’s on Thursday night, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) made the presentation and in doing so, referred to Mr Seddon’s uniform kindliness and courtesy in all circumstances, and Ids well-deserved popularity with members on all sides of the House. The Speaker (Sir F. W. Lang) spoke to the same effect, and testified to Mr Seddon’s scrupulous compliance at all times with the standing orders of the House. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) also spoke in eulogistic strain; as also did the Hon. A. T. Ngata, on behalf of the native race, and Mr H. E. Holland, who made the speech of the evening, on behalf of the Labour Party The toast, of Mr Seddon’s health and that of his bride-to be, was drunk with loud cheers and musical honours; and Mr Seddon made a very appropriate and feeling reply. After the present session -was over, he stated, he intended to reside on the West Coast and practice his profes* sion. He expressed the hope that any member of Parliament who might come to the district would visit his “dugout”, ajnd assured them of a very hearty welcome from his wife and himself. The gathering terminated with hearty cheers for Mr Seddon and his bride-elect, followed by the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”