DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[r.V TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

MAORI ARTS AND CRAFTS. ROTORUA. Januarv fi.

At the first meeting of the Maori Arts and Crafts Board. Moil. Bollard (Minister of the Interior) was present and formally opened the proceedings, ft was decided the headquarters of the hoard should he at Rotorua and IT. Hamilton was appointed director of the school. Preliminary work to which he is to devote his activities is the collection of data and material necessary for the foundation of the school. The Maoris have given a house at Wliakirewarowa for an office. GOOD WISHES. AUCKLAND. Jan. G. The Governor-General sent the following to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs for communication to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York, on the eve of their departure for Australia and New Zealand:—“T beg to express respectfull good wishes to [liom for a pleasant voyage. The prospect of the visit Insaroused feelings of keenest pleasure in this Dominion. Their Royal Highnesses are assured of a, lova’l and warm hearted welcome everywhere.”

Their Royal Highnesses replied:— “The Ductless and 1 are very grateful to you for your kind message which we keenly appreciate. We are looking forward with much pleasure to visiting New Zealand.”

CONGRATULATORY. HASTINGS. Jan. (!

Maori War veterans entertained Sir Douglas Alt-Loan at the annual social re-union yesterday. The chairman, V. s'. Dennett proposing Sir D. McLean's health alluded to his devoted war service in England during the four years of of war as became -i worthy son of a worthy sire, lie always worked for .Maori War veterans. Ho was instrumental in securing for them the oil ago pension in addition to military pensions. No one was more worthy of tlie honour done him by the King than Sir Doug! is. Replying to his health. Sir D. Ale-Loan said his only regret was that the late Afajor Gascovne had not received Ironi flic authorities. the New Zealand Cross so well deserved. There was a tendency in New Zealand to forget those pioneers whose pluck, sacrifice and perserveranco had laid the foundation. ot tlie country’s prosperity. Colonisation was one of the greatest episodes in history for individual pluck and enterprise, and the memory of pioneers devotion should he kept in the minds of the rising generation to inspire them to live up to tlio standard sot I>> t lie si enterprise, determination, endurance and sacrifice.

A FIRE. HASTINGS. Jan. 0. A fire broke out. early this morning in wooden buildings on the Government Railway property. Russell St., leased as business places. It originated in a fruit shop kept by Zakarus, who left for AVellingtoii oil Tuesday last on a visit. Zakarus’ premises and stock were completely destroyed, and the llair.es spread from the nppei storey to Webber’s, (chemists) si oreroom upstairs on one side and to Barchain photography, also upstairs, on the other. WcKbers’ upstairs stock were practically destroyed by fire and water and the shop window and stock underneath also considerably effected. Bareham’s photography and contents were burnt out and Wendcl’x fancy store, motor service office and Economic Grocery on'the corner of Herctaunga St. suffered considerably from water. The properties wore leased bv Webber, of Hastings, Bob'olm’s of Napier and Rodgers of Hastings. Insurances available are: V, ebhor’s stock and fittings £2550; Wendell’s stock £.500; bus office, no insurance on stock, little damaged; Economic Grocery stock and fittings £7OO. FREEZING WORKS STOPPAGE. MASTER TON, Jan. 0. Enquiries made this morning elicited the information that work was not resumed at. Wningawa. It is understood free labour is being mustered to carry on. SLIP HITS TBATN. PALMERSTON N.. Jan. 0. Tlie south hound Limited met with a slight mishap near Oulmngo at ail early hour this morning, a small slip descending on the train as it passed a snot where the country is very rugged. None of the passengers were injured although one at least received bruises from stones contained in the debris. The train proceeded on its journey and it was not until the first station was re'ached that the accident was discovered by .the officials, on arrival at a local station this morning. The damaged carriage bore evidence of the impact o’f a fall of earth. Setoral windows were smashed and lan--1 igilts broken, while the roof and sides of the car were covered with deposits of mud.