TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1923, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

fnv tei.f.okai’u—ri;u i’iikss associations THE RECENT DISCOVERY. AUCKLAND. February 5. The announcement from London ot the isolation of the new element hafnium recalls experiments made in New Zealand in 1915 by Mr Leslie MacArthtir. Exhaustive tests were made' by him through the medium of electrical combination to discover if New Zealand black sand was radio-active. Observations on the bomb near Unworn led. to the deduction that there must 1,,, some chemical constituent in tile imnsand which prevent oxidation when exposed to the sun, weather and salt water. Ferruginous sand was subjected to extensive tests the immediate results being such as to justify the treatment of over sixteen cwt- of sand in ten pound sections. Each was treated with a variety of chemically appropriate iluxos and gleanings were sent to .Madame Curie. In reply a report was received to the* effect that the sample was of high value. Mr MaciArthuv then made an offer to the New Zealand Government to conduct bulk experiments if electricity could he supplied, but nothing was done. The cinnamon coloured powder refi red to in the cablegram is thought b.v MrMae Arthur to In- -imilar to the extract secured by him.

: ADM IX IST I! VTOR OF SAMOA. WELLINGTON. February 3. Rrigndier-G. ncra! Richardson’s appointment Administrator of Samoa, ha- been announced officially. POISONING CASE. CHRISTCHURCH. February 15. In connection with the New Brighton poisoning the hospital authorities report t hut the condition of the father and the two eldest children shows a slight improvement, hut, there is no change in M.e condition cl the mother ami the youngest child. Doctor Telford, District Health Officer. states that so I'.ti as the Departlin Mi's investigations are concerned. it had been established that the fruit c,Hen b\ tile laiiidv was not a laetor in the poisoning. Post mortem investigations by Doctor I’, -.arson, pathologist at the Christchurch 11 ospii aI. : evealed that, the trngedv was probably dm to bin leria in the milk used in making the blancmange. which war- eaten ai tea

, m.KPJIONK CHARGES. .DUNEDIN. February 15. The (’linmhci' of Gommcrcc resol.u----t loncd strongly objecting to the suggested ini’iease in telephone charges especially in view of the tact that the arbitrary transfer of £109.009 is being made from the telephone to the telegraph department without any sullicient explanation givmi. It also lelinvos that the system ol sending monthly a* counts would add -eriocsly to tlie cost of administration, without any compensating benefit. SUPREME COURT. AUCKLAND. February fi. Summers Ileniika Edwards, a lialfcaste Maori, pleaded guilty to breaking, entering and theft at various premises. He was sentenced to two years' reformative treatment. WELLINGTON. Fchruiiry 0. At the Supreme Court. George Robert Kemp, on several charges of false pretences.* was found guilty. It was stated that accused, who conducted his own defence, cashed several i-ln-qucs in various districts that were dishonoured. lie received Four months’ im-

pi'isonment. \ charge tif manslaughter against a nurse at a mental asylum, whore a |>ationt dioil alter being placed in a lint bath resulted in the jury return ini' a “X,. hill.” AIFRDKR TIHAL. ATC'KLA.XD. I<Vl>. r, I hc (band .Jury returned a true hill against .John Finnigaii. tor the alleged murder of Con O’Keefe, fireman on the steamer Tredonham. LTBF.RAL CAt'CTS. YKKTKIiDAY’S DECISION. WKI.LIXOTOX, Keli. c, The l.iboral-i.nbour caucus was held to-day. It confirmed Mr Willard's leadership, and placed tin record hearty' and sincere appreciation of his services in the election campaign, and congratulated him on the etfort. made. The party also declared t I; For the maintenance of its identity as one distinct party, supporting principles of true Liberalism and real interests of the people; (2) that so long as the Reform Party continues to represent, and to he mainly Ltlueneed by the owners of large vested interests, large landowners, etc., the opposition of the Liberal-Labour Party to the same will he vigorously maintained; (It) tile Party’s continued sympathy for the genuine aspirations of the workers for improved economic conditions, and foi the achievement of tlie same by constitutional means, but emphasised its continued opposition to all extreme revolutionary proposals.

DEATH OF AIR W. T. .)FXXTATIS. ex-.M.P. WELLINGTON, Feb. 15 The death occurred at Wellington today of Afr William T. Jennings, formerly member for Waitomo. He was 09 years of age. Deceased, who was weil known and highly respected throughout the Dominion, was identified with the Otago Trades and Labour Council in its early days. He was also identified with tlie Moderate Labour movement in Dunedin, Auckland, and Wellington. Formerly he was a member of the Loo; is Inti vc Council- On tiic oxpiifltlon Of his term, he contested Waimarino seat in the Liberal interest, and was elected. When the last alteration in the boundaries of electorates was made, he successfully contested the AYaitonm seat At- the last election he was headed by Arr Rolleston. A petition against the latter’s election is now being hoard. Mr Jennings, who for many years was identified with the printing trade, lost two sons during the war. and his wife died two years ago.