DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1927, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) INTER ISLAND ’PHONE. WELLINGTON. June 2.1 Most of the work in linking up the Islands tclcphonically has been completed for some time, and the delay in opening the line for communication has been largely due to the tests and adjustments necessary in connection with the “repeaters." or amplifiers, which receive the message and pass it on stronger. The balance between any to stations between Auckland and Christchurch had to lie ascertained, but these combinations have now been worked out, and it is probable that the conversations will he made possible throughout the line from Monday next, wlien the charges will he announced. The. Secretary to the Post Office. Air G. McNamara, stated to-dav that, in view of the comparative distances, the through charges from Wellington to Christchurch were not anticipated to exceed much the Auckland-Wellington rates. A FIRE. DUNF.DTN. June 21 Fire broke out at (115 p.m. to-day in a large brick building in the Octagon, owned by the Daniel Haynes Trust. ’The outbreak occurred in a tailoring emporium occupied by A. .McLeod, on the second storey, and this, together with a room adjoining, occupied by Nurse Stl'iekett, was practically gutted. The premises on the ground lloor. occupied by Mamets’ Radio Supplies, suffered damage through water, but large billiard parlours at the rear of the building on tbe ground lloor escaped damage. McLeod's slock, which was totally destroyed, was valued at about €I2OO. The Fire Brigade faced a very diffiini; task owing to dense volumes of smoke, hut succeeded in preventing the lire from spreading to other parts ol the building after half an hour’s hard light.

TRAWLER TOWF.D. AUCKLAND. June 27. When the trawler James Cosgrove was fishing in the llauraki Gull this morning the wire hawser attached to the trawl became entangled round the propeller, and thus prevented the engines from working. This hit the vessel drifting helpless before the wind and tide. The accident oeeuried about .seven o’clock and as the clew were unable in clear the obstruction the captain signalled for assistance. At the masthead he hoisted the international distress signal "X.G." C'l am in distress and require immediate assistance.”) The signal was observed by t In' Auckland Harbour Board’s .signalmen at Tiritiri. who eventually signalled the iniue-sweeper Wakakarua. on route from Great Barrier Island to Auckland, with Naval Reserve seamen on leave. The Wakakarua steamed

eight miles to the James Cosgrove, and lowered a boat manned by young trainee-. Two lowing hawsers were attached to the disabled vessel, and the tow back to port was accomplished in hours.

POWER PLANT. At UK LAND. June 27. The Government has definitely decided to install all extra plant, at itown expense, to supply the Auckland Province until power is available from Arapuni. This information was contained in a telegram from the .Minister of Public Works, Hon It. S. Williams, read at a me..ting of the Auckland Power Board. The telegram stated the Government had agreed to purchase and instill the extra, plant, as suggested. At a recent- meeting i.t Power Boards at Hamilton, Mr W. J. Ilolaswortii (cbairmaii of the Auckland Board) said it had not I wen decided "here the temporary plant would be placed, but it would probably he at Penrose or Waihi. The ,substantial Government outlay would slightly increase the cost of power supplied from the temporary plant, but that was recognised as reasonable, and the Board was quite prepared to pay more. R was decided to reply (o the .Minister. expressing the Board's appreciation ol the Government's decision.

WORRIED DENTIST. AUCKLAND, .Tune 27. At an iiKpiest regarding the death of James Alexander Campbell, a dentist, aged 35. who was found dead in his surgery in the Great North Road on Saturday afternoon. Mrs Catherine Reilly, proprietress of the Royal Hotel, said that the deceased had been staying at her hotel for about six months. At 11 p.m. on Friday he said he was going across the harbour and that he would not he back that night. On Saturday witness received a note Imm the deceased, in which he said: "I have been a trier, hut this place has proved a ‘white elephant!’ Continued ill-health domestic and financial worries, and trying to please too many have got me down, and I cannot go any further.” The Coroner returned a verdict, of suiicde liy gas poisoning.

A NEW COALMINE. WESTPORT, June 27. A trial run of coal in Westport Cascade Coal Mining Company’s Hume. 7.1 miles in length, down the Cascade Creek, was made to-day, and it proved highly successful'. Over 100 tons of coal was landed at the binns in the Duller Gorge in perfect condition. The coal, which is bituminous and hard, bore the voyage well, showing no sign of deterioration. It is intended to erect at the mine lace binns to hold 1000 tons of coal, those at the railway siding in the Duller Gorge have a capacity of 301) tons. •'ll the coal which the Company can produce for some time to come is already on order. The field is an extension across the Cascade Creek, of that from which tlie* Westport Coal Company’s coal is mined. The opening of this new mine i- viewed jubii'antl.v in Westport. PLUNK ET SOCIETIES SUBSIDY. WELLINGTON. June 27. Hon. Mr Young. Minister of Health, stated to-night in reference to the Plunkct Societies that there would he no reduction in the Government subsidies. despite the cutting of expenditure.

.MUNICIPAL VOTING. AUCKLAND. June 27. After receiving a report from the Returning Officer upon the informal voting at the recent municipal election, the City Council resolved last evening to urge the Government to repeal last year’s legislation prohibiting voting by means of a cross. The Council protested against the legislation when it was under consideration last year. The percentages of informal votes at the April elections, were: Mayoral 1.17. Harbour Board 6.7.5. Hospital Board 11.01. Council 15.12. Letters received from other local bodies showed that the percentages of Informal votes at the last election were 13.fi Tor Dunedin, and 10.0 for Wanganui. The total number of informal votes in Wellington was 7871.