DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

8T TELEGRAPH— PE ESS AUSN , COrVRIOHT. A CONGRATULATORY -MESSAGE. AUCKLAND, June 9. I lie fond memories entertained by many limbless soldiers of kindnesses bestowed upon them in England during the war by .Major-General Sir George Richardson, then General Officer Commanding the New Zealand fones in England, have prompted a cable message to lie sent on their behalf to Samoa. where Major-General Richardson is Administrator. The message, which congratulates the Administrator on his recent knighthood, was despatched from Auckland, and i.s addressed to “The father of the limbies.” It reads as follows:—“Limbies here are proud of their attachment for one whose service and attachments have been so appropriately acknowledged by his Most Gracious .Majesty the King.” Fir George Richardson lias replied as follows:-—“Your good wishes have touched me deeply, recalling memories of your past sufferings and your present disabilities cheerfully borne for your King and country. I extend to all ‘limbies’ m.y thanks, love and good wishes.”

DULLER GORGE RAILWAY. DEMAND FOR COMPLETION, WESTPORT, June 97 One of the largest, most enthusiastic and most representative public meetings hold in Westport took place in the Town Hall to-night, the Mayor, Mr Alcnzies, presiding, when the following resolutions were carried unanimously—(l) “That this representative meeting ol electors of the Buller electorate enters an emphatic protest at. the slow progress being made with the construction ol the West.port-lnairgnhua (Duller Gorge) railway, particularly from Cascade to Inangaliua Junction. It further requests the -Minister of Railways to expedite the work, and points out that, the whole electorate is handicapped by the isolation under which it exists. This meeting is of opinion that Ihe work i.s of great national importance as well as importance to the Duller district. The national resources of the district warrant the completion of the line to link up with the South Island main system. This meeting further strongly recommends that a eon tract for this work he let as early as passible by tender.” t— > “ That the Alinistcr of Politic Works he urged to complete tlie AVest-port-Greyinoutli coastal road as being imperative in the interests of the whole community, and of the far-reaching economic effect. That (lie road he declared a main highway. That ihe Buller Progress League, AVesiport Borough Council, Buller County Council and other local bodies on the committee he. asked to send a combined deputation to Wellington lo bring those matters before the Government.” YOUNG CITIZENS’ LEAGUE. FURTHERING THE AIOA'L.MENT. AUCKLAND June 9. With the object of placing the aims of the Young Citizens’ I-vague before the schools of the Dominion, an extended tour of both islands will shortly he undertaken by the league president, Mr E. C'. Cutten. S.M. Mr Out.tcn stated that the .Minister for Education anil Justice, Sir James l’arr, lmd arranged to relieve him of a large part of bis official duties for a few months in order lo enable him to go through the Dominion and place before the people, and the schools in particular the value of the League movement. The infantile paralysis epidemic had delayed matters up to the present, and nearly half the time available had slipped

away. Even now ihe schools were working under ] rossure. However, they now had urgent calls from Napier, Hastings. Gisborne. New Plymouth ami Palmerston North, while

Christchurch wax also waiting fur them, fn Auckland province, Mtintly, Hamilton. Dargaville and Whangarei wore anxious to receive the league's re prcsonlaiivos. The f|Ueslimi ol’ finance was causing concern at present, said Mr < r.tten anil hut for the infantile paralysis an appeal to the public would have been made long ago. As soon as this appeal has been made, Mr Cullen intends to ciaumence his tour and will first no to Napier. Hastings and Palmerston North, theme to tin- South Island where it is also hoped to work the West. CUiist. ‘•Although 1 have not yet embarked on my tour." said Mr Cut ten, “f hope very .shortly to he aide to do so. In spite of the delay, ho added, the League had not been idle and much had been accomplished.” HAST COAST IdXlf. CHRISTCHURCH. June 10. The report of the special committee set in) by the Canterbury Progress League to report on the comparative suitability of the Last Coast (A\ hare-nui-Knikoiira-Parnassns) and the West (Oast (Clenho; e-lnaugahua) sections of uncompleted railway, to serve as links in the Dominion Alain 'flunk Line and on commercial and developmental possibilities—immediate and prospective- - of the more suitable route was discussed at to-night’s meeting of the executive of the J-oagne. The following resolution was carried : “That in the opinion of this League the completion of the New Zealand Main Trunk Kailway by filling the gap between Wharemii and Parnassus urgently necessary, in the interests of the railway service as a whole, and is essential to the proper development and progress of the Dominion ; and that the Prime Minister he urged to give the earliest possible consideration to the recommendations contained in the report. particularly in the matter of completing the surveys of the section referred to and that copies of the report he forwarded to all members of the League and to Ministers, Members of Parliament, and public associations throughout the Dominion.

COUNCIL OF EDUCATION. AVEDLIX* GT ON. June 10. The annual meeting of the General Council of Education is lieing held today. Mr J. Caughloy. Director of Education. in opening the conference, said that a number of the recommendations of the Council made at the last annual meeting had been given effect to during the past year. A number of open air schools were now in operation. The question of sex hygiene bad been considered by a commission. whose report was before the Government No action had yet been taken legarding the payment of secondary school teachers liy the Education Department. He did not know any reason whv the matter should not be taken ■up" definitely. As to agricultural instruction. the resolutions of the

Council had been put before the Commission which sat recently and the report was now almost ready. The report on defective children had been published, and was lieing considered by the Department chiefly concerned. It. was hoped very soon that effect would lie given to the Commission's recommendations by the setting" up

of ;i Board to carry out what "'ns suggested. The question of dealing with stall’s and salaries of secondary and technical schools with a view to bringing about some degtee of uniformity. was Under consideration. The varying principles between the two scales presented almost insuperable difficulties, iic had- not been able to solve the problem. Committees were then set up to report on various notices of motion, and the Council adjourned until the afternoon. THE PR IM F. MJXrRTER. DAXXEVIR.KF. Juno 10. Electric current in Southern Hawkes Bay was officially turned on hv the lion. J. G. Contes this afternoon. A big crowd attended at the railway station, where the Prime Minister and Mrs Coates were accorded a civic welcome and cheered. Subsequently members of local bodies throughout Hawkes Bay, Messrs Iv. A. Ransom. A. X.ish and 0. Mackay M.l‘.’>. and a big crowd of the public assembled at. the Arcadia Theatre where speeches were delivered appropriate to the occasion. The. Prime , Minister, emphasised the benefit of ’electricity, stating that if Hie present live policy were carried on. within four or five years all the present schemes should prove a. pny.'iblo pro.position. Ho hoped that the AVaikaremoana scheme won!.l be well on the way by the end of the year. In concluding, he stressed the fact. that, while not versed in political finesse to the same extent as some people, he hoped that he would be aide to render sonic service to the Dominions. and if lie. had any little deficiencies. fie trusted they would overlook them, and have, no cause to regret the way lie carried out the job that had been passed on to his; shoulders Tt would not he for the want of trying if he could not give a reasonably good account of what, he thought, the country required.

The Prime Minister and Mrs Coates acre entertained at afternoon tea. The Minister's final act was to switch on tho electric light for the Borough street lamps.