DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRArn —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. COLONIAL TWANG. AUCKLAND, January 16. Comment upon the prevalence of colonial “twang” was made by Air G. W. Hutchison, addressing the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. "During my recent visit to England it was made apparent to me that 1 did not know how to speak English prope iy,” said Air Hutchison, “and I was rather surprised to find that English people had no difficulty in picking me as a New Zealander or Australian, though of course, the Australian accent is much more pronounced. It may not really he a serious matter,. but it seems pertinent to me that the education authorities could vet-y well pay more attention to it.” As a practical course to assist ill remedying the shortcomings Air Hu't 1 chisoii suggested free exchange of primary school teachers between New Zealand and Britain, with the specific object of enabling New Zealand teachers to study the English language as spoken in the Home Country. Another useful method might be tlic introduction of lessons by gramophone, the tutors being trained English speakers. By such methods .it might he feasible to keep the language more closely allied to that of the Mother Country. HUAI OURS OE WIRELESS. AUC K LAND, January _ 16. Wireless jokes are in the fashion nowadays. One was narrated by Air G. IV. Hutchison in an address to the Chamber of Commerce. An English clergyman delivering a broadcasted sermon ended his peroration with the words, “And we shall undeistand these things hotter, clear friends, on that happy day when we all meet heaven.” Then, turning to tin operator, ho added : “ I don t think I Spoke too quickly.” Unfortunately the operator was a few seconds too late in cutting off the transmitter, with the result that the clergyman’s concluding sentence was picked up bv startled listenors-in in tlie billowing form. “And we shall understand these things better, dear friends, on that happy day when we all meet in heaven, I don’t think.” BOWER BOARD WANTED. WELLINGTON. January 16. With the object of ascertaining the possibility of the early establishment of a power board operating over a number of North Canterbury counties and Kaiapui and Rangiora boroughs, the chairman of the Kowai Country Council, -Mr J. I). Wylie, and the county clerk, Air J. Mtzgcrakl, interviewed the .Minister of Public Works to-day. They also wished to know the prospect of securing sufficient power in future.

'flic Hon. J. G. Coates discussed the matter fully, pointing out that present agreements expire this year, and it is a matter for consideration whether lliev should be renewed. He favoured the policy of forming power boards and hoped tin's course would lie followed. At bis request the deputation consulted tlic officers of the hydro-elec-tric branch of the Public Works P" partmont regarding details ol organising pot cr boards and the prosper! s of power supply, the Minister asking the deputation to again interview Inin when tlicv bad secured the data they required.

the steamki: pakeha. I' Til E I N NO. T: HOLD. GISBORNE, January If. A lire was discovered in No. I. hold of (lie steamer Pakeha, which was loading at Tokomaru Bay. i ,U mid-night the stevedores were sent ashore by the steamer Ivuutniuii and the Pakeiin lifted anchor, inti math,.; Am v.-.m proceeding to Wellington. Tli,. lire is ill Nil. I bold m which there arc about 910 carcases of mutton and a quantity of butter. The steamer had been loading wool and pelts at Tokomaru Bay. It is staled that several men were overcome by smoke. There are no furtliei particulars. TARANAKI Ol LEI ELDS. NEW PLYMOUTH, Jail. 17. 'j „o Taranaki Oilfields Ltd. reports that the drilling plant at Tarata is 'practically ready to commence and hat drilling may also be commenced at Alotaroa about a week hence. ; The plants are better equipped than those used in the past.

A FATAL FALL. AVI lANGAUET, Jan. Ic. Robert. Marlin, aged 31, was naked „„ mmunscioiis mi the main road i ear Kamo last, i.ighl . having sustained a fracture of the base ol ihe- skull II is assumed that be lell from lus Imrse. lie expired at the hospital at 8.60 this morning.