TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1922, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[BY xkLEGItAFH— PEE PKESB ASSOCIATION. bodies recovered. FOXTON, March 31. The bodies of Samuel and Peter Baker who wer© drowned in the lake on Robinson’s run last Saturday, have been recovered. The deceased were half castes. The relatives reside a t Otaki.

HIKURANGI swamip. i GREAT DRAINAGE SCHEME. INAUGURATED. WHANGAREJ, March 31. A ceremony of much importance took place *c4ay, when the snine Minister, in association with the Minisetr of Lands, turned the first Sod in inaugurating the Hikurangi Swamp drainage scheme covering an area oi 23,000 acres to be unwatered, and affecting 50,000 acres altogether. About 100 motor vehicles, conveyed 600 people fifteen miles from Whangarei to the venue of the ceremony. Mr Massey having turned the first sod, predicted great success for the Hikurangi Swamp enterprise, which lie believed would be consummated five years hence, as against fifty yeais in some other quoted instances in th< Dominion. Mr Massey said that the machinery used in this scheme was the most modern procurable, which was due to the acumen of Mr Thompson, who had been specially deputed Uy Cabinet to visit America in that connexion.

Mr Guthrie said he hoped the most difficult portion of the scheme would be accomplished by June next and settlement commenced within two years.

Aij interesting phase was the presentation by Mr Thompson to the Ministers of miniature gold replicas of steam navvies in use in the excavation work.

SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT

HAST SESSION’S AMENDMENT.

WELLINGTON, March 31

Reference was made by the Hon G ,), Anderson (Minister of Labour) to complaints made recently that the Shops and Offices Amendment Act pass ed last session, was adversely affecting suburban shopkeepers, and to th e suggetion that they hould be .allowed to sell packets of cigarettes after tobacconist shops had closed. “As a matter of fact,” said the Minister, ‘‘there was no alteration of the law in this respect in last session’s measure. Suburban storekeepers are in preeiely the same position as city storekeepers, and last session’s Act did not interfere with the main lines of the law at all so far as the opening and closing of shops is concerned. It lias only made clear certain indefinite pro visions in previous Acts.”

RAILWAY FATALITY

AUCKLAND, April 2

A man named Matthew Stephen McGee, a resident of Atahuhu, aged 49 years was run over by a train at Green Lane Station last night Both his legs were practically severed, and he died in the hospital this morning It is thought that the deceased was endea- \ ouring either to board or leave the train when in motion

Wage dispute

WELLINGTON, April 2,

A big industrial dispute pending is that affecting the cooks and stewards in the employ of the Unoh Steam Ship Company. The claims of the Federated Cooks and Stewards’ Union for increases in wages and alterations in working conditions were recently published. The stewards are seeking a rise of £2 per month and cooks, over £3.

Counter proposals have now been filed by the Union Company, which proposesa reduction on the present rates of pay. Tlie wages suggested by the company are equal to reduction of £4 10s per month on the ruling rates.

SHIPPING FREIGHTS

WELLINGTON, April 1

The following circular has been addressed by the Commonwealth and Dominion, Federal, New Zealand Shipping, and Shaw Savill Shipping hires to their agents at all poits—“Tallow and pelts rate of freight reduced from €7 2s fid per ton plus 10 per cent primage to £6 plus 10 per cent primage from New Zealand to American, Canadian and United Kingdom ports. This reduction lias been decided upon as of vital assistance to producers and was strongly recommended by the Meat Control Board for this reason. It is effective for shipment on and after Monday, April 3rd. Please advise shippers.”

EDUCATIONAL REFOIt AI

WELLINGTON, April 3

The Educational Conference has prepared recommendations on the lines suggested bv the Minister. They include shortening and simplifying the primary c.uirse, eslabl slk.'cii 1 oi In'.ermcdiatc cr Junior High schools, as a Ink between primary and secondary eouise, ad paying increased niton'ion to vocation and natural aptilmV in the hitter stages of public school education. It is r;c:gnised these changes will have to be proportioned to the means at the disposal of the Education Department. There are plenty of teachers coming on, but they will require experience and the idea is to apply the new system first in one or more of the large centres, i gisla'ion will not necessarily be inquired.

SOLICITOR DEAD. WELLINGTON, April 3. Obituary.— Thomas Neave, barrister of thje legal firm of Neave and Courtney, and formerly on the staff of the Crown Law Office. He was a native of Riverton and was educated at Dunedin, graduating as Bachelor of Laws at Otago University. He was highly respected and was aged 43. He leaves a widow and two children.