TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1922, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[by TKLEOIIAI'H—PEE peess association, METHODIST CONFERENCE. AUCKLAND, March 7. The Methodist Conference has concluded. The following: chairmen of

districts were appointed Auckland, -Mr C. H. Laws ; South Auckland, Mr ( A. Mitchell; Taranaki-Wanganui, Air . Grigg; Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Air Richards; Wellington, Mr E. Drake; Nelson, Mr W. Greenslade; South Canterbury, Mr W. A. Hay; North, C anterbury, Air T. A. Jougliin; Otago, Southland, Mr Al. A. Ragby-Pratt; Solomon Island, Afr J. F. Goldie. The oversea delegates were accorded a farewell by the conference in the afternoon, and were the guests of the Mayor end Mayoress at a conversazione in the Town Hall. The members of the conference leave for Whangarei wliiere the centenary celebrations will be continued on Wednesday. A memorial cairn will lie unvteiled by llev Grainger Hargreaves, of England. The foundation stone of a memorial chapel to Rev Samuel Leigh will be laid by’the President of the Conference, Rev C. H. Laws. The Alaoris of the district will entertain the visitors at luncheon in native style at a Maori camp. EXCHANGE OF TEACHERS. PALMERSTON N., March 6. Under a scheme arranged by the Education Departments of England, Canada, and New Zealand, to interchange teachers, Aliss Aland Foster, a London County Council school teacher, arrivetd at Palmerston North to-day and was welcomed bv the Mayor and teachers. Aliss Forster takes the place of Aliss Chapman of Terrace End school who lately left for England to teach then#. FATALITIES. CHRISTCHURCH, -March 7.

Charles E. Hales, who was injured in a street accident at noon, died at the hospital this evening. Lilian Foley, a married woman, died suddenly in the outpatients ward sub the Hospital to-night. DEATH, OF PETER VIRTUE. AUCKLAND, March 7. Peter Virtue, Manager of the Northern Roller Alills died suddenly during the night. (Deceased was a well-known U'siJent of Hokitika in the seventies, where h« was engaged in business in Wharf -Street with his father, the late Mr D. W. Virtue, who later removed to Wellington). FOUND DEAD. TAUMARUNUI, Alar. 7. The body of Evan Sarjeant was discovered in the hush three miles from Qhura, with a service rifle lying alongside. Dcceascu had 'apparently been unt pig shooting and climbed a tree there in order to get a better shot at a pig. but oil getting down again slipped and the rifle turning round exploded against his head, which is badly shattered and almost unrecognisable.

AIR. MASSEY ON TOUR. GISBORNE, Alarch 7. Hon. W. F. Massey visited Wniapu District yesterday and was received by a large nntivc gathering at which reference was made to the loyal part played by the Ngalipourous, in the early days and the great sacrifice of the Native race in the late war. Representation? were made, regarding the urgency of harbour works at Hicks Bay, in view of the establishment of freezing works recently lopened., Air Massey promised to give al! the assistance possible. He spoke optimistically regarding the country’s future. The Premier returns to Gisborne this afternoon when he will he accorded a public reception, the business premises (dosing for the occasion.

STEAMER. ASHORE. WANGANUI, March 7. As the steamer Gale was entering port from Welington, an hour after high water this morning, the steering gear became defective and the vessel sheered on to the north mole. It is expected to refloat her at high water to-day. So far as is ascertainable she is undamaged. FIRE AT NELSON. NET-SON, March 7. Early this morning a fire was discovered in the brick premises of Louissons, Ltd. The outbreak was found to he in a millinery room. The entire stock was destroyed, hut life progress of the fire was stopped. It is estimated the loss is about £IOOO. WOOLLEN MILLS. WANGANUI, March 7. A meeting of directors of Wanganui woollen mills decided as the financial conditions were improving and stabilising, to proceed with the erection of equiping a thirty loom mill. Latest advice shows the price of machinery at Home has been reduced and the action of the directors in suspending operations till there was a fall in prices was amply justified. MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION. TEAWAMUTU, March 7. As the main trunk express from Auek land at 11 last night approached Teawnmutu station ,a loud explosion startled the neighbourhood. The engine, at the time, was crossing Mangapiko stream bridge, a few hundred yards north of the station yard, and the explosion extinguished the engine lights. The express instantly stopped, but as no damage was done, it. was able to proceed on the journey after a few minutes investigation. There is a. small mark on one rail on the bridge, but otherwise there is no sign of damage or cause of the explosion. The police are investigating. The explosion was heard three- miles a wav and houses nearby rattled.

VOLUNTARY REDUCTION. TEAWAMUTU, March 7. Fear, organiser of the Dairy-Farm-era’ Union announced one hundred thousand pounds of voluntary reduction #f mortgages in the case of distressed dairy farmers in Waikato and hack interest of two thousand has been written off.