DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—per press association.] MOTOR FATALITY. TACALVRUXI'I, May 14. A motoring accident which resulted in the death of Airs Elizabeth Riches, occurred on Alatapuna road about a mile from Tauninrunui yesterday afternoon. A party of live were returning from Piriaka after holding an evangelistic meeting in that town, when the car which was driven by -V. G. Riches swerved, and running into soft metal on the road turned completely over, [•'our of the occupants, A. G. Riches, W. .McCann, X. Hyde and .Mrs Park were thrown dear, but Mrs Riches was pinned underneath and succumbed almost immediately. .Mrs Park (daughter of deceased) and AlcC'ann were injured and were removed to the hospital. Mrs Riches had boon a resident for many years of King Country and was well known in farming circles.

STRONG ROOM T! I,OIVX OPEN. PA EMERSION N., May 11. During The week-end burglars entered the promises of Mansoit and Barr and blew open the strongroom door and safe inside, taking a sum of money which is understood to be a large amount. The burglary is believed to be the work of professional burglars. LOC AL RODY STATISTICS. WELLINGTON. May 11. Statistics relating to local governing bodies have been collected and published in the annual statistics of New Zealand lot* close on fifty years past, and regulations published in tonight’s “Gazette” clothe in legal garb (lie system that has been in operation practically since the abolition of the provinces. Beyond a few minor alterations necessitated by the natural expansion of the Dominion’s local affair* the forms set- out in the schedules to the various regulations are the same as those that have been in Use for several years. Regulations now published prescribe the forms in which statutory power to call upon local authorities to supply particulars required is to he exercised, and it is hoped that as a consequence the publication of tin' annual report oil local government will lie considerably expedited and made available to the public much earlier than hitherto.

PROFESSORS OF EDUCATION WELLINGTON, May 15. -A circular lias been issued by the Education Department notifying that Professors of Education are to be appointed to tlie University Colleges at each of the four centres at a salary of CSSO per year. Principals of training colleges will be expected to assist in University College work. HON. J. O. COATES. BLENHEIM. May I 1. The Hon. •). G. Contes, Minister of Public Works, arrived from Wellington to-night, and was waited on by representatives of all the local bodies in the province with requests for assistance towards repairing the (bind damage. Tn mi case wore estimates as to tbe amounts required to reinstate tho various public works available, as part of the district- is still under water, but tlie River Board indicated that, n very substantial amount, probably running into £20,0!)9 would be required tn cmiuectiim with tho restoration ami improvement, of river protection works. Awntorc County representatives also reported exceptionally heavy damage in the Upper Auatere. where the carrying iuviiv of bridges bad 101 l park horses as the only means of communication. In most cases tbo local autiiorities asked £ lor £ subsidies. Tbe Minister replied very sympathetically, anil asked tbe local bodies to confer wr’i the Public Works Engineer in getting out estimates of tbe cert of ihe work* necessary. I[e promised favourable consideration of the requests lor financial assistance. Mr Sharpe. inspecting engineer of tho Public Works Department, indicated that there was no possibility ol the Clarence bridge being repaired before Christmas, thus through motor traffic from Marlborough to Canlerburv is a thing of tbe past lor a considerable period. DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS. WELLINGTON, May I I Douglas Fairbanks, who is coining to New Zealand for filming sections of two plays, on learning of the floods, contributed SIOO to the Blenheim Relief Fund. P. AND T. OFFICERS. WELLINGTON, May 14 The quarterly meeting of the executive of tlie Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association terminated at Wellington to-day. Tbe chair was taken by Mr J. H. McKenzie, president. Special 1 consideration was given to n statement made by the Prime Minister during the ; Oamaru election campaign in reference 1 to wage-cutting in the Public Service, ( uni the following resolutions were car- 1 ried unanimously:— I 1

“This association joins with the Public Service Association ill proie-l-n<r against Hie impression given to he general jnihlie liy the Prime Minster during the Ontnarn election eamlaign that the public servants receiv'd he wav of a general increase C 75 ictwet’ll the years 191-1 and 1920. So 'nr as the P. and T. service is conerned, the increase to the tieneral

division —postmen, linesmen, etc.— salaries scale was £73 and to the clerical division—telegraphists, clerks, etc. host was of) per cent above the 1914. level. In view of the latest pronouncement of the Arbitration Court that the cost of living groups to-day are 5G per cent above the 1914 level, it should l>o evident to all impartial observers that the salary reduction of Cld in January. 1922, and £lO in July. 1922, were not justified on the grounds that the cost of living ratio had fallen to the degree of 10 per cent which the Cost of Living Increase Agreement of June, 1920, provided for. It further calls attention to the fact that the 1910 reclassification increase and the 1920 cost of living increase were paid out as salary, were subject to superannuation deduction, and were incorporated in the salaries allotted for their respective years in the Gazette classification list.”