TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1922, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. A PRTAIA DONNA. AVKLLINGTOX, May 15. Now Zealand's prima donna, Rosina Hackman, to-day set foot once more on her native country and was most enthusiastically received, a civic reception being accorded her at the Town Hall, where the Prime Minister, the Mayor, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Robert- Parker, the last named on hetnll of the musicians, cordially welco: ted her and her husband, Mr Maurice Poisley. Air Massey, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Wright spoke of the rapid j’so to fame of a New Zealander of whom they were justly proud. They congratulated her upon the position she had reached in the musical world. 'I l.e prima donna said that she was overwhelmed with the cordiality of her reception. It was nine years since sinleft New Zealand. The interval had not been without hard work. C'ovont Garden was not attainable without dose study, as well as voice ambition.

DEFENCE MINISTER EXPLAINS. WELLINGTON. May IS. The Minister of Defence said ho was unable to account for the reference to “New Zealand’s hint.” His statement 1 to the correspondent of a London news--1 paper had been that New Zealand had received no intimation from the Imperial Government that it desired New Zealand to increase her contribution, but if .such an intimation were received it would receive favourable considern- '■ tion. He had explained at the same time that recently New Zealand’s naval coni tribution had been more than doubled as the Dominion in place of making a monetary contribution of one hundred thousand pounds bad undertaken the maintenance of the Chatham and Philomel. This wits in addition to payments in respect to the Little cruiser New Zealand. ' DESTROYED BY FIRE. t HASTINGS. May IS. j A twelve roomed boarding house on Karamu road, owned bv Mrs E. Phillips and occupied by Mrs K. Bedford, was . burnt to the mound this morning. The ! occupants, Mrs Bedford, two young j children and a boarder escaped only in their night clothes.

j TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE. ( WEI I.INGTON, May 17. I “Spare the schools in any scheme of national economy.” was the burden of ‘ an appeal which teachers have made to < school committees all over the Dornin- ! ion, and which they repeated at the anJ mini conference of the New Zealand Education Institute to-day, in favour of ■ a motion.

The president of the institute. Mr E. .T. Pci re-lias, of Christchurch, said that the motion was in no way a reflection on the Government, hut rather an appeal to the public to see that the schools were left alone in the movement for retrenchment.

Thu motion was seconded by Mr D W. l«ow (Palmerston North) and carried.

TECHNICAL SCffOOl S. AYEUINGTON. May 17

At flu* Technical Teachers’ Conference the following were elected : President.. 11. J. Thompson (Ashburton), vice-president, F. Martin (AA’ellington) ; seeretarv and treasurer Miss M. Robertson (Wanganui): executive*. Aliss Nelson (Dunedin). Messrs MeWilliam. (Wellington), and Bowring and Jones (Christchurch).

Air Junes (Auckland) was prevented hv urgent business accepting re-elec-tion.

SECONDARY SCHOOI S. WELLINGTON. May 17

The annual meeting of the Secondary Schools Prim-p uls’ Association is being held to-day. The following won* nominated fevr 'office in the Secondary School*," Asociatic.-n which meets tomorrow:— President, J. R. Cress well (AVellington College) ; members of the* executive. Miss C. M. Criiicksbank (AA’anginui Girls’ High School) and AV. AV. Thomas (Timnru Bovs’ High School). The conference is now in committee. The annual meeting commences to-morrow. PRICES TO FALL. CHRISTCHURCH, May 17. The mastci butchers decided fo observe the* Court’s general orders regarding wages, and to sec* that the amount of the wum* ’oduiT'on is reflected on retail prices.

I lie Xc-w Zealand M otor Trad -rs’ Association decided to give clfecL to the Court’s pronouncement ami that ivarcs of all other employees not governed hy Awards will lie reduced by .5 per cent. It was luither decided foil there will he it corresponding tv due 1 ion io i barges.

SO ItEDUCTION’ FOR RAKERS. WELLINGTON'. Mav 17.

The Wellington Master linkers and Pastry Cooks’ Union of Employers annonoee that as it is ahsulutely impracticable to pass on the present 5s cut. in wanes, and as the provi-.iens of the new award are to he considered hy the Court next month, no reduction will he made at present in the price of bread or wanes. It is hoped that this may he possible after the new award is made.

Inquiries in other directions give few signs of definite reductions in prices.

FARMTORS’ COXFKREXCE. WANGANUI, May 17

The business at the Farmers’ Conference comprised hearing an address by Mr Poison (N.Z. President) similar to that delivered at Wairarapa a fortnight ago and also the discussing of a remit whether Manawntn and Wanganui sub-provincials should he given n provincial status. A motion in favour was carried hy 21 to 13,