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Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1924, Page 2

A iikcout emanating from Auckland states a <omprehensive scheme for tins establishment of a Naval Reserve in New Zealand on the lines of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in Britain is Heine considered by the Navy Office and the (bivernment. An attractive feature "ill lie that service in the reserve will count as Territorial training. The First Division will lx> enrolled in Auckland and HALS. Philomel will be used as a training base. As experience is gained it is intended to form other divisions at the other principal ports. Although details are not yet available piobahilities are that youths and young nion of the yachting fraternity will lie• encouraged to di>chaige their defence obligations in tin 1 Naval Reserve, which will bo olliiciod by retired officers of the Royal Navy. Th<> development of a Naval deserve is not an entirely new idea. In the estimates for 1922-23 the sum of £2uoo appeared under this heading, and recruiting was to commence in October, 1922. During the year oniv 1.2!) was expended and, when tlie sum of £2OOO was re-voted in the FV.timale.s for 19211-24, an attached icmark stated that recruiting results had been very disappointing and that numbers would be augmented iiy ratings taking their discharge I rum the sen-going forces in October, 192:). Ii would appear that, at the outset, a rescue consisting mainly of ox-service men was the aim, but if,

as now appears to he the case, an effort is to lie made to build up a force upon the already strong sea-sense of young New Zealanders, there can U> little iloubt as to the success of the scheme. Relerrilig to the question. an authority said that the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve of Britain, which had been mentioned as a model for Iho New Zealand body, was recruited from all classes in the community. It was a distuibing thing for the naval mind to observe that in New Zealand there was not even the skeleton of such a force, which, in time of war. was an absolute essential to the delence of an island isuiutry. ‘Tt. would be a local responsibility to keep the channels clear of mines." lie said. "If this were not done the export trade could not proceed uninterrupted, and even coastal trade would he affected. Well, how could the job he taken in hand and maintained unless there is a local force trained in the work? The circumstances might be such that the channel out of Auckland might have to he swept every day. Here is where a properly trained naval reserve would come in. Another point is this. Upon the outbreak of war every merchantman in these wters would have a gun mounted for defence against submarines. Where would crews for these guns 1)0 found unless men had already been trained? T would like to see an Admiralty tug. one of the sea-going type, of which hundreds were built for rescue work during the war. brought out to he used in practical training lor the reserve. It would l>o a useful I*>ht to have for assistance of ship's in distress, ami invaluable for training. Again, there should lie no difficulty in giving the reserve a few days’ training at sea on one of the cruisers. Even without an equipped mine-sweeper valuable training in sweeping could l>c done on launches fitted with light search wires, by which pipes can be locate^.’ 1

A mooting of the Trustees of the Hokitika Savings Bank is called for Monday afternoon next at ‘2.30 o’clock.

llarconrts' Motors notify the general public that they have reduced the fares on the Hokitikn-AYaiho service. —Advt. The Anniversary Hall to commemorate the opening of the Knmara Memorial Hall, will take place on Friday. August Ist. 102-I.—Advt. The complimentary social and dance to he tendered to Mr .lack Steele, the All Black, will he held in the K.S.A. Hall on Friday. July IS. The usual weekly euchre tournament of the R.S.A. will he resumed in the Soldiers’ Hall this (Thursday) night, at S o'clock. Food music, supper and dance to follow. Admission Is.—Advt.

All senior and junior member- of the Excelsior must he at the shed at 7 o'clock sharp this evening when Saturday’s teams will he selected. All outstanding tickets or cash lrom the h-M must he handed in to-night. The many friends of Mr and Mrs Knoch Growcott, of Ilium, will hear with sincere regret of the death of their seven year old daughter. Winifred. which took place this morning from diphtheria. The young child was only brought into town for tresit mom two days ago. the seizure being very sudden. The funeral takes place on Saturday afternoon.

The Ladies Hockey Club euchre and dance in the Soldiers’ Hall last night drew a large attendance. For the euchre the prize-winners were Mrs Lukin, Mrs Sponhcimer and Mrs Blank (consolation', and Messrs \\ . ltitchie, K. Thorn and .1. Mclntyre (consolation). Bnnetti’.s Jazz Band provided the music and a capital supj er was provided, the evening proving a very successful one.

The death occurred at his residence, lleelton. at an early hour on Wednesday morning of Mr Hubert Kirwan. The deceased teas a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and has resided in this district for the last -111 years, most of which time he was engaged in mining, and as a result ol same, he contracted miners' phthisis. He l had been in failing health for some months, and the end was not unexpected. He is survived by a widow, three daughters and four sc ns and several grand children:—Mrs McCarthy (Christchurch) Mrs O'Donnell (Hoa), Miss H. Kirwan, Mr M. Kirwan (Miileitnni, Mr E. Kirwan (Hoa). and the two well-known representative footballers, Mr .1, Kirwan (Auckland) and Mr 11. Kirwan’ (Christchurch).

A rumour that owing to the extended working week the Railway Department has decided to dismiss approximately HUI men from Addington workshops was answered by the .Minister of Railways when his otlentiou was drgwn to the matter in the House by Mr Sullivan. The latter suggested that if the report was correct it meant a grave breach of faith, in view of an nssurace from the .Minister. Mr Cottles replied that the railwayman's claims were before the court and until it made its recommendatious the (lovernnieut was unable to sav what would he railwaymen’s hours or wages. I lit l lortyttight hour week would provide a stirplus of I2IK) tin'll, but these would he absorbed h.v the usual How of men in twelve months. The rumour regarding Addington i- unfounded and I shall telegraph to Christchurch to liinl mil how it started." said Mr Coates.

The llailway Coiunii-siitn investigating New South Wales railway aH'airs t- e.\ivcled to cost CI I.HA>. according to Press reports from Sydney, whtclt Mr I*orhi-s (lluruiiui) ipiotcd in the House to-day with the object ol ascertaining if New Zealand, when it gets the services of the same commissioner-, will lie obliged to pay a similarly large

sum. .Mr Forbe.s asked what arrangement- had liecn made, because it seemed an enormous sum to pay lor a railway t u vestiga t ion. "Apparently the iptest inner does not know this (Invernliiniil very well." replied the Hon .1. G. Coates, who gave a prompt assurance that before arrangements were made with Sir Sam Fay. Sir \ inecnt Haven and three others associated with them to hold an ini|tiiry into the .New Zi aland railways it was ascertained that the eost. speaking from-memory, would not exceed £11(1111.

Tin- stadium at C'olomhcs luis been entirely rebuilt for tile Olympic Games mom in progress, iiiitl provision iiiitdo to ammiiiiiiilali l (>!).()()!) spectators round l lit* groat bond-sha pod arena. i'll*.* stadium, out* of tlio biggest in existcmv, measures 38:2 yards long hy -7'J yards Itroail. which is nearly twice tin* size of the Athens stiidium. tit which tin* Olyinpie (lames Mere first revived in ISWi. The race track is nearly not) yards in circuiaferenee. hy SJ yards in M’idtli. Outside the .stadium itself are tennis courts and a swimming hath, fill yards loan hy HO yards Made, with a depth of Mater varying from lift, to Kilt. The State railways and the municipal enterprises which control trannvays and omnibuses have combined to draw up plans which will enable thorn to carry over •10,000 passengers :m hour between Colomhes and Argenteiiil. and non - roads have heen eon.structcd hoi ween l'aris and the stadium. 'file athletes are lodged in Imo villages specially built for them, while an official lodging service has heeu set tip to find rooms for visitors in hotels, flats and private houses.

Appropriating a ear. the property of Clifford Thompson, two young men enjoyed at the owner's expense, a protracted jaunt around the outlying districts of Christchurch on .Inly Ist. as the result of which Thornton Seolt and Samuel Hubert Smith appeared before Mr Wyvorn Wilson at the Magistrate's Court at Christchurch on Tuesday. Scott ami Smith were charged with having converted to their nun use a motor vehicle, the property of Clifford Thompson. The allegation was denied. After hearing evidence the Magistrate said that the fre<|iicney of these ufforoncos, the difficult of detection, and the serious consequences likely to arise led him to say that the penalty in all .such eases ought to he one of imprisonment unless there were exceptional circumstances. With regard to Smith, there was nothing to sav in bis favour. Just twelve months ago he had h "01 sentenced to imprisonment for a similar offence, lie uas a dishonest man and had been coitvieted of false pretences and theft many years ago. lie would he sentenced to three month-' imprisonment. With regard to the other titan, the only thing that could he said in mitigation was that it uas the first time lie had heen before the Court, lie tvas a clever man and had had many advantages. A legacy had dune him 110 good, and he chose had company. Seolt Mould !>o sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.

Motorists: How much is your carburettor costing you 1 J At least half more than if you used an "Air-Fric-tion" C'nrlHirettor which means greater pou'or and speed, reduced petrol consumption. 15. I*. M. Manning and Co., 0 Medford Mom - , Christchurch. Advt.

The true economy sale, McGruer’s uper sale of all winter goods romnenced at 0 a.in. Friday. June -7th.

fn every department our winter stocks have heen marked down to zero—they can’t go loner—here is your opportunity. The prices make it. Call early for best choice. Mcflrner's, Hokitika and Grey mouth.—Advt.

Hokitika grocers report big business at the "NO-RUBBING” Laundry Help counters; (shilling a time).—Adr*..

Schroder and Co. are showing the latest in winter models in millinery, coats and costumes; also evening frocks. These have lieen bought at very favourable terms for cash and must t>e sold to make room for further shipments in ton-els. sheeting, calico, flannelettes and colonial flannel. Come early. Schroder find Co. the jeadjpg draper?:—Advt,