TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1923, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

.„ v -rEl.ROllW'tl —t’F.n CIIKSS ASSOCIATION. FIRE AT ONAKAKA. NELSON. January 15. A serious fire occurred at the Otia--I,k:i iron and steel works, at Onakakfl. at midnight on Saturday in the engine department. The boiler house and blacksmith’s shops were destroyed, and much of the machinery was damaged.The furnace and lift were saved. Tfi*. origin of the fire Is a mystery OUR MEAT EXPORTS. AUCKLAND, January 15. Mr Jesse]), vice-chairman of tho Meat Producers’ Board, returned from England to-day. He expressed tho opinion that the prospects before sheep farmers of New Zealand for year are good. Tile outlook for lambs was especially bright, provided the quality were maintained. There was a good market in Britain and the British public were prepared to pay for quality, though when the price exceeded a shilling a pound, the consumption fell very rapidly. He did not consider it worth while competing with South America. Australia, Canada, and the l nited States in beef. New Zealand would do better in building up an export in frozen pork and bacon. Tt would not pay. however to raise Jiogs except of tie* very best breed obtainable. In a few years we could export millions of ; omuls worth of pork and bacon.

ALLIANCE BALLOT. ON WAGE CT'TS. W ELLINGTON. Jan 15. A ballot has been conducted by the Alliance ot Labour on the question of wa'Pe reductions. Nine offi tinted organisation... took part, including the seamen, the watersiders. the drivel's, the miners, the freezing workers, the storemen, the traniwnymen, the Amalgamated Society ot Railwayman, and .the engineering workers. The question on which the vote was taken was as to whether the members are in favour ol ceasing work as a protest against v age x reductions. The ballot closes to-day. Approximately 50.O'!) workers arc members of the Alliance. Not ;■ Ii of the members have voted, as ti c secretary o: one large federation had mfurned to him. through the post, opened, a big parcel of voting papers, intended for uso by the members of the C: mi rbury branch of this federation. Accompanying the parc-cd was a. ■ overed note, stating that the vote's le d not been cast because insufficient tim ■ had been allowed for supplying all the' branches’ members with hall papers. FORGERY CHARGES. AUCKLAND January 15. Ellen Elizabeth Elliott, aged 20, was to-day committed for sentence cm charges of forgery of her husband’s name in respect of withdrawals of sums totalling £230 from the Dost Office Savings Bank, and also of hav- - '*'-' ing used counterfoil impression stamps of the Newton Savings Bank branch making in entry in thw hank hook by altering the amounts of the deposits; and further with having obtained from business men £l3 by falsely ing she was a widow. As regards latter case, the accused gave a sale over her sister-in-law’s furniture and piano. In regard to the withdrawals. she represented her husband Has ill, and she got people to witness tile signatures. Accused alleged that a man made the stamp without asking what it for.