AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1927, Page 3

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

ORIGIN OF MAORIS

HONOLULU, Sept- 1

Doctor Buck, of New Zealand, who is under a five-year contract to the Bishop Museum to do ethnographic work, departed yesterday for Samoa to undertake Polynesian research. He expressed his belief that the oiigin of the Polynesian race was in Asia. Dr Buck said: ‘“Many centuries ago, probably in the early Christian era. there lived in South-Eastern Asia, a people dominantly Caucasian and Mongolian, the people whom we now call the Polynesians. They began a gradual exodus, and there is evidence that they went first to Indonesia, and thence to Samoa, and that they gradually wont then to New Zealand.” I)r Buck is accompanied by two other scientists. Their studies will include physical anthropology, material culture, social organisation, religion, and language.

HOPE ABANDONED. OTTAWA. Sept. 2. Hope is virtually abandoned for the safety of the St. Raphael which is now many hours overdue. A constant 'igil is continued, hut ships and radio stations report no trace of the plane. Rumours from other sources proved unfounded. Very cold weather, fog. cloudy sky and north-east- winds prevailed during the night. The petrol supple would have given out at midnight on the Ist. It is believed highly improbable that an unwitnessed landing could have been made as the plane would first be compelled to pass somewhere through a chain of thirty-five radio stations. Experts declare destruction is certain if a landing on ice was attempted. The only hope remaining is that the fliers were picked up bv a fishing vessel without radio.

UNEMPLOYMENT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 3. Notwithstanding the large amounts devoted from the special loan, ordinary revenue and Mayors fund (to which over £BOOO was subscribed) there are still 461 unemployed, the registered number having risen again in the last two or three weeks. Disabled and feeble bodied cases are the worst feature and from a discussion by the general committee on unemployment, it appears that their only resource now is the Charitable Aid Board. The Committee had had 127 such cases and found work for a number, but there is no more money available. Tho Mayor's fund is practically all allocated and the Committee requested him to make a further appeal. Some members thought £15.000 should be aimed at. Others thought that too much to expect, but £3OOO more at least would lie required. SIR. TUUBY KING. WELLINGTON, Sept. 2. Sir Trilby King intimated his intention of retiring shortly, after thirtyeight years’ service with the Mental Hospitals Department. It is understood that lie desires to- relinquish hi> work at the end of September, as he contemplates a visit to England at an carlv date.