MARINE SAFEGUARDS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1922, Page 4

MARINE SAFEGUARDS

i.ightixg £or radio BR.Acb.xs? i WEDDINViTOX, August 19.

The rapid progress of science was evident in a discussion between the Minister of Marine (Him. 0. .1. Anderson) anil representatives of the Merchant Service Guild regarding tire protection of shipping from the dangers of tho Three Kings. In dealing with the proposal for a light oil either the Western King or the main island, the Minister stated that a light would cost approximately £50,060 or £OO,OOO, besides the regular cost of maintenance. In view of the expense, it would be a matter for the most cWfef'ul consideration whether a light should lie provided at all, or whether there should be installed one of the latest scientific devices that had been invented for the safety of shipping as a result of experience gained during the war. Mr Anderson said he was referring to the subject of radio beacons, which he had recently discussed with the general manager of an English radio company. If such a beacon was established at Three Kings, no doubt tire large regulated passenger vessels running between Auckland and Australia would have .the position-finding instruments installed, One of the Public Works Electrical engineers who was visiting England would make the fullest investigation of U.iand other matters.

Captain Mnciirdoe referred to the necessity for making it compulsory for all ships going off the coast to be fitted with wireless, and pointed out that it was possible, by getting into communication with Awanui and Awarua wireless stations, to obtain cross bearings which would enable mariners to fix the position of the ship exactly. The Minister replied that the existing law enabling regulations to be issued for ships to bo provided with wireless referred only to passenger vessels, but tlie Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill now before Parliament would enable this regulation to he applied also to cargo vessels.

ASS6I»LbtNi3 A&D BATTLESHIP. WELLINGTON, Aug 19. A prophecy waS mfide by the Prime Minister when d erf 11 fig with the results of ‘the ’AViishiiigtdh Trofity, that aeroplanes will he required to coopi&rrite very clbsfely w'ltli brittleslilps in tiffte tff with. He had rib do (I lit that iff the fiitlire would .'be grteatly ithprbved fill those used dtititig tlie Wtif, wheti they were danghrbus hriotigh It hfid been suggested that the aeropLaHC'wijhld take tlie place Of tlifc ba.ttleshlfi in future wars arid he wa's pbi-fectly t-er'tlfiii that no sqii'acßon Of '{»•#«!«$, «o single Battleship' wotild gb to sea without having a liiffnber of aeroplanes to act as scouts, arid tb keep off the enemy ’planes if they happened to collie aloiig Tlici'i- was no question that in wars Of the. ftittlro ,if they arose, the battleship afi daei-Oplarie would go together.

Mr Isitt: Wliat part will aircraft a'rt c j suhWinriries play ill the defence of our coasts ? Mr Massey replied that he would not depend on either by themselves. The submarine would probably improve. hut he. could not help remembering that otwarils the end °l tlie w'a rtbo stiKniSi-irib was henteri down aVi'd out. It was extraordinary tlifit wftli all the ftitlithfiriries possessed by Germany tliriy liever sank one capital shi)V. A capital ship was lost bv Britain off the coast of Ireland but this Was due to a iiiiiib. AY lien the hydioplanb arid depth cliri'l-ge came along there was an end tb the submarine, so be believed tlie air force and battleships would go together.

REFORM CANDIDATES. CHRISTCHURCH, August 22. At a mooting of the Executive of the Refbrin Party (Canterbury Branch) the position of various city and suburban electorates was carefully considered, and it was unanimously decided to contest every seat. The candidature of Mr R. Afaeartne'y fob Lyttelton and of Afr W. R. Dcvercanx for Christchurch East was approved.

A HARD CASE AIAO'hI. AVXNG'AN'UI, A'u'jr. 2. At the Supreme Court to-day, Joe Kanriri, a sturdily built Afii'ofi, was charged with escaping; from custody and discharging a rifle at the police who endeavoured to arrest him. Ivauriri was the coiVtral figure in it recent ■ox'pTint near Raotalii. When surroinulcd by three constables. In l opened fire with a rifle, aj'id .the police ttiok shelter behind logs, and replied with revolver shots. Kanriri was Wounded and escaped, hut he gave himself up next

The chief witnesses werg four constables who took part in the episode. oTic stated that lie believed Kanriri could have shot him, hut tlie -Maori did not on that occasion fire.

Kanriri gave evidence, and said lie did not want to shoot the police, but merely to frighten them, so he could escape. Tha accused uas found guilty. Justice Reed said tlie accused bad a bail record. He sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment, and declared lifni a habitual criminal. SUGAR .PRICES. WELLINGTON, Aug. 22

In view of an important reduction in the price ot sugar on 7th September, mVunVfactiirers will reduce tlie prices o! jam and iiianiVnlnde on 2-511 1 October. Full iebiit'es, it is understood, will be all.Vwud to t’lieir custo'niers of all stocks held at tlutt date. This slmuhl enable the advantage of tlie reduced prices, vet to l c adjusted, to be passed oil to the pubik. • . XOA'KAWAU DISPUTE. XOAKAAYAU. Aug. 22.

The position regardifig the dispute at the Stockton mine remains unchanged. The mitfei's arc waiting for ceriaio information from Wellington re further negotiations— .