DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

| TELEPHONIC CABLE. I ACROSS COOK STRAIT.

WELLINGTON, January 20. The Post and Telegraph Department has been advised that the new telephonic cable being manufactured by Siemen’s Ltd., of England, for Cook Strait, is likely to bo shipped from London about the end of the present month and should arrive here about the middle of March. This cable, about forty miles in length, will he the first of its kind in New Zealand, and will enable practically any telephone subscriber in the • North Island to he put in conversation with any subscriber in the South I Island.

The nature of a telephonic cable differs considerable from that of the ordinary telegraphic cable of commerce in that the “loading” is differently applied in two ways, either by insertion here and there of copper coils during the manufacture of the cable (coils which become part and parcel of the cable itself) or by closely wrapping the copper conductor of the cable with an alloy of iron and nickel in strip form. The coil method of loading is rather delicate and cables so loaded have necessarily to he handled very carefully, because when coils become damaged in any way it is a more difficult matter to locate the damaged point than in the ease of a mishap to a telegraphic cable. So, a.s Cook Strait, is rather turbulent water with a most irregular floor, the coil method oi loading was abandoned in favour of the wrapped cable.

A YOUTHFUL COUPLE

FALSE DECLARATION. AUCKLAND, January 20. The first troublous episode in the matrimonial adventure of an eighteen-year-old Aucklander who married a girl of sixteen some three months ago, drew to a close at the Supreme Court this morning, when the couple faced Mr Justice Stringer, having pleaded guilty to making a talse declaration under the Marriage Act. The pair, who were unrepresented were dumb. The Judge turned to the Clown .Prosecutor for assistance. “ f understand that no real and proper blame attaches to those young people,” said Air V. R. Meredith.

“Chief-Detective 'Cummings states that they are getting on quite happily. No moral wrong has been done. The facts of the case were that the hoy had married the girl because she had intended leaving home owing to unhappiness. He thought that it would he best for him to give her protection by marriage. Fearing to ask the consent of the parents, the couple gave their ages to the Registrar of .Marriages as twenty-two and twentyone. They left Auckland and returned after an absence of some weeks, to he reconciled to the girl’s people, with whom they are now living.” Air Justice Stringer agreed with the Probation Officer that in the circumstances it was a comparatively venial offence.

‘‘Had you had more knowledge of the law you would have known that where for any reason a. parent refuses to oive consent, a Judge of the Court could act in that capacity and give consent.’’ his Honour said. “However. you sought a different method. No harm has been done to anyone except that you are both exceptionally young to start out in married life. However, that is done and can t lie

helped. You have put the (‘rown to sonic rittk* expense, of course, and lor that I am going to line you 10s. Ihe girl will he discharged.” ' The Judge thought it a reasonable case in which to order suppression ofj n;» m<*>. NURSERYMEN CONFER. DUNEDIN. Jan. 20. The nineteenth annual conference of New Zealand nurserymen opened Ibis morning, fifty delegates being present. After a civic welcome the conference was opened by llie lion. G. J. Andeisun, who promised lo refer the question of State competition with nurserymen in the sale of trees to the Minister of Agriculture. The Hon CL 1 J. Anderson paid a tribute to the work I of Sir Francis Hell and Sir Heaton Rhodes in connection with forestry, lb* suggested that until deer were eliminated altogether. (Now Zealand forests would be in danger of destruct ion.

The president. Air T. T). Lonnie (Christchurch) in his address contending that llie ‘act’ that the successful nurseryman was the small man was strong argument against Government competition. He expressed Hie opinion that in some lines a decrease in the prices of trees should lie made. The new president is Mr Thomas Waugh, of Lower JTutt. FT. HELEN’S HOSPITAL. AUCKLAND. Jail. 20. A loss of £6400 lias been incurred by the Health Department during the past two years in connection with the administration of St. Helen’s Hospital. This fact is contained in income and expenditure accounts forwarded by the Department to the Auckland Hospital Board. The chairman. Air W. Wallace, said that any suggestion that the institution should be taken over by the Hospital Board was out of the question, while there was a prospect of being saddled with a dead loss of £6400. It would be taking over a white elephant. Under the department’s restrictions it would bo next to impossible to make the hospital pay. If the hoard were permitted to run the institution on the same lines as it ran the public hospital and make those pay who could, it might he a different matter.

PROGRESS OF SAMOA. WELLINGTON, Jan. 20. Speaking at the New Zealand Club General Richardson mentioned some of the results of the visit of the Samoan chiefs last year. They had been greatly impressed with the methods of supplying water, in which Samoa is deficient. and also electric lighting and town beautifying. A new dam" had been built which would supply villages for fourteen miles with water, and one village had been remodelled and electric light installed. The Samoans to-day are developing in a happy and contented way, one of the chief reasons being that the system of domestic home rule allows them to control their own affairs. The good "ork of the Medical Department is shown by the increase in population, which formerly was stationary.

-MILLER.TOX INQUEST. WESTPORT, Jan. 21. An inquest was held at Millerton to-day touching the death of John Brown, who was_ killed yesterday whilst working in "the Westport Coal Company’s Alillerton mine. Evidence was given to the effect, that a Deputy fired a shot, and, after examining the working face. left on his rounds. The deceased was in the act of dressing the face with a pick, when a lump of coal, weighing about one hundredweight came away, falling oiy

his head, and fracturing liis skull and neck. Death was instantaneous. A verdict svas returned of accidental death, no blame being attachable to anyone. AUCKLAND LOAN. AUCKLAND, Jan. 21. ■ The period of the Auckland Litv loan of £400,000, now on the London market, is 33 years. The rate of interest is five per cent., and a sinking fund of one per cent, will be provided. The loan will be issued at £97, and at this price, the return to the investor, including the bonus on redemption, will be £o 3s 9d per cent of the total of £-100,003. Half is on account of the Conoslidatcd Loan of 1924; and hall on account of the Streets Loan ot £710,000. authorised in 1924. lhe £200,000 on account'of the consolidated loan is to reimburse the general revenue of the Council for capital cxpcnc - ittire on the tramways and waterworks extension. The £200,000 on account of the Streets loan is to reimburse toe general revenue for the cost of street paving and other works carried out during the last twelve months.

BOV SAYIMMER DROWNED. TE! AWAMUTU, -Jan. 21. Victor John Hall, aged 10, son oF 0. W. Hall, of To Awamutu. was drowned tliis afternoon in the Mangapilo stream. A party of eight boys were swimming, and after being a quarter of an hour in the water, deceased was observed by a companion to put liis head down as though attempting to swim with liis head below the surface. Before the danger was realised, lie disappeared. One hoy dived immediately without result. Though a search was maintained all the afternoon, the body was not leeovered. The site of the fatality is a deep hole at the junction of two streams. It is full of sunken togs and is a treacherous place. TRAM FALLS OVER BRIDGE. TAUMARAXUI. Jan. 21. An accident occurred last evening on the tram line between Mananui and Xgapuke. A horse drawn truck, driven by B. Kin veil, became derailed, and crashed over a bridge. Five passengers were aboard. One, Mrs .T. Henderson, suffered somewhat severe injuries. CAR GOES OVER BANK. WAIROA, Jan. 21. A service car went over the bank near Tuai power house, Wnikarcmoana, the driver and a male passenger being hurt, but not seriously. The others escaped injury. The car was badly smashed.

A Gl'.N ACCIDENT. MASTERTON, Jan. 21. Lex .Squires, son of ,Mr \Y. V. Squires, dentist, of Nelson, was admitted to the Masterton Hospital today with a gunshot wound, a bullet having entered his chest h penetrating the shoulder blades. Squires was accompanying E. Hart, son of Brigadier LT. E. Hart, of Mastcrton, oil a camping expedition at White Drock Station. They went hunting yesterday, being armed with .303 rifles. Squires was sitting on a fence, hilt slipped, and contact with the rifle dichnrged it. His condition is regarded as .serious.