DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELKonAj-H—I'KH rnEss association

FLOODS IX MARLBOROUGH. BLENHEIM, May 28

It was reported this morning tlmt the road to Woodman’s Bend, leading to the Upper Awn tore, Intel Itcen washed away, the Upper Awatere, Weld’s Hill and Medway •settlers, being thus completely isolated from the rest of .Marlborough until the river falls sufficiently to enable the road to he restored.

The until coach is reported to Ih> held up at Molesworth. The Awatere river ;iL present is running tit the highest level attained since the disastrous Hoods in May of last year, a great deal of rain having fallen in the back country. One of the back stations reports a fall of over two inches of rain in a single night.

DROPPED DEAD. GISBORXE. May 28

William Pickett, an old settler dropped dead while addressing a meeting of the Cook County Council on Itehalt of a deputation of Xgnturn settlers.

CA BIX ET IXTEXTIOXS. WF.LLTXGTOX, May 27

The personnel of tho Railway Commission to investigate matters of policy is complete and awaits the final approval of Cabinet before being announced". Tt- is understood that at least one railway expert front outside the Dominion will be included. As for investigation of the Amalgamated Society’s claims the position lias become mote obscure since tbo president's announcement favouring tho Arbitration Court, because the society bus not officially noted such an acceptance to tlie Minister of Railways. On tho contrary, there appears to be much opposition to tlie Arbitration Court among largo branches of the organisation. and it has been decided to call tho national executive together this week it possible.

The Minister of Railways lias expressed a desire to meet the executive either this week or early the following week. Probably tut announcement regarding tbo main Railways Commission may lie withheld until there is an agreement between tlie Minister and tlv Amalgamated Society upon the* form c.f tribunal to investigate tlie service claims in view of the possibility of tlie men preferring a general commission. ArCKT.AXD BAXT> COXTKsT. AUCKLAND, May 21. Several well-known band adjudicators will lie available as judges for the Xew Zealand championship band contest in Auckland next February. Tlie committee having the contest in hand will make a. selection from this number, * which includes Messrs C. Tnisscll, W. M. Partington. Percy Cole and Profpssor Sauer, all of Australia. Dr. Bradshaw. Christchurch, and Mr F. W. 0. M’Lcod. Xew Plymontli. Mr TTnrry Slmgg, the wellknown adjudicator or Australia, who officiated at the recent southern eontest, will bo unable to offer bis services. Mr Partington, of Sydney, who has offered bis services, lias just been appionted conductor of the Australian Imperial Band for the Wembley Inhibition which is at present touring Australia. Wold nlsto has hoen -received by tho secretary of the contest that the Toowoomba Band. Queensland, and also one oilier *k\ grade hand from Australia are likely to enter for the Xew Zealand eliampioriiship contest, the official programme. for which will shortly 1 e issued.