TELEGRAMS;

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1922, Page 4

TELEGRAMS;

[BY TELEGRAPH PSH PRESS ASSOCIATION]

WATERSIDE DISPUTE. GISBORNE, Juno G. A dispute between shipowners and wharf labourers regarding tbe handling of Government greasy wocil, which has been under discussion for several days is unsettled, and the steamer Tasmania which has been waiting for the cargo, has been ordered to proceed to Napier.

LIFE-SAVING AI’PARATUS. DUNEDIN, June o

It is pointed out here, relative to the necessity for life-saving apparatus, that it would he impossible to supply shore rocket gear at every dangerous point, since 40 stations would be required to ensure prompt help, and each Station would need at least five trained men to work the apparatus efficiently \n expert states that at least Auckland, Wellington and Bluff should have the necessary apparatus, and trained men continuously at call, lie stated that the Marine Department docs not possess a single short rocket- appaiatus, and that the British Board of Trade regulations ns to ship rockets are also inefficient, a s they do not require vessels to carry apparatus for shooting a lino ashore. The American authorities

insist on every passenger ship trading in the States being supplied with such gear. I’UBUIC WORKS DEPARTMENT LOSSES. W-EI.]LIN< i’i'ON. June 5. On board the Wiltshire were GO,OOO yards of calico for the Public Works Department. The material was for the manufacture of tents and Hies for use on various public works. The material was urgently required. Immediate necessities will be relieved by a further shipment cT 10.000 yards, which is expected to arrive in about 15 days’ time. The Public, Works Department suffered another loss. A number of plate, girders for the Wairoa-Waikokopu railway bridges also went down in the W ilt. shire. The loss will not delay the work, however, as temporary measures will he taken until the permanent parts can be replaced. THE AUCKLAND SCAFFOLDING TRAGEDY. WIDOW AWARDED DAMAGES. AUCKLAND, June :3. Tn the claim by Mrs Annie Olive Jones for £3OOO damges for Hie loss of her husband at Kndean’s Buildings on February Ist, the jury warded (.'3OO damages for the widow and £’oo for her child, against Xorniu Taylor, master painter, trading as John Henderson and Co. The following rider was presented by the jury: “That the practice of the Labour Department in permitting work without issuing a written permit is wrong, and that the provisions of the Scaffolding Act should, in justice, be complied with." His Honour: Yes, that is quite right, gentlemen. The question of the effect of the jury’s findings was reserved for argument. FIRES. AUCKLAND. June 1. A six-roomed house at Maungaturoto was hurtied yesterday morning. The wife of the owner, Ernest Underwood a farmer, was lighting a fire with what she thought was kerosene, hut which was benzine. The tin nearby ignited. As Underwood lifted it up it exploded inflicting severe burns on bis arm. neck, and shoulder. Mrs Underwood is suffering badly from shock. Both were sent to the hospital at Pnparoa. The insurances were f‘soo on the house and £l5O on the furniture. CHILD DROWNED. NELSON, June 0. Arthur Higgs, aged eight, son of Mr Charles Higgs, of Mapua. was accidentally drowned through falling off the Mapua wharf. A verdict was returned of accidentally drowned.

NO RELAXATION. WELLINGTON, Julio 6. The Health Minister states emphatically that the regulations regarding ships from the plague infected countries are not to he relaxed. The risks to Neiv Zealand are still very real, and will remain: so till a period of some four months has elapsed from the discovery of the last plague-infected rat in Australia. UNEMPLOYMENT 11 El TEE. MR MASSEY PROMISES ASSISTANCE. CHRISTCHURCH, June (i. At last night’s meeting of the City Council, it was decided to spend £ISOO providing for work for the unemployed; also that the Finance Committee report on a proposal to raise a loan of £SOOO for a similar purpose. The urgent need for relief works was placed before the Premier bv a deputation representing the public bodies and unemployment committee. The deputation stated the nature of the workproposed, and sought financial aid from the Government. The Premier said that he had money set aside for unemployment relief works and would aid schemes which met Government approval. He was anxious that the works should he put ill hand as soon as possible.

MR H. E. HOLLAND. WESTPORT, June 6. Mi- 11. E. Holland, M.P., Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party was to have spoken at Dunedin North in support of the Labour candidate Mr ,1. W. Mtinro, to-morrow, but owing to his illness, he has been compelled to cancel his engagement, and also has bad to postpone his North Island fixtures in connection with his Dominion campaign. Mr Holland who has been in bed since Friday, will be represented at Dunedin North by one of bis Parliamentary colleagues. FOOD PRICES. WELLINGTON, June 7. The Government Statistician’s latest returns disclose an increase in the retail food prices. The index number for the three food group (groceries, meat and dairy produce) was 15-10 on Apiil !stli an increase of 29 ]>oint.s on the previous month and 49,93 per cent over prices of July 1914. A full of thirteen points shown in the groceries group was mainly due to a decline in prices of Hour and potatoes. Dairy produce showed a rise of 140 points and meat of lour points.