DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1928, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

THE MAUI POMARE. COM PL AINTS R EFUTED. (By Telegraph— Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 7. In view of recent reports from Dunedin that a portion of the shipment of bananas received by the motor ship Maui Pom are had been landed in an unsatisfactory condition, inquiries have been made as to the condition of the fruit discharged at other ports. The reports received from all other ports show that the bananas have ripened in good conditon, and that the average prices realised have also been satisfactory.

Some incorrect reports have been published as to the unsuitability of the vessel for carrying fruit. The authorities stated that the carrying machinery has recently been resurveyed by Lloyd’s, and by independent engineers, and the reports of these experts are to the effect that the machinery is considered suitable in every way for the purpose for which it is intended. Captain MacDbnald, master of the steamer, stated that no trouble whatever has been experienced with the motor ship’s main engines. From the time that she left Dublin to the completion of her voyage to Dunedin, the ship had steamed 41,500 miles. In covering that great distance, the vessel had maintained an average speed off 9.7 knots.

BIG SAWMILL CLOSES DOWN. INVERCARGILL, Oet. 6. The Port Craig Sawmill, controlled by the Marlborough Timber Company, of Christchurch, closed down indefinitely to-day. The mill has employed a large number of hands and the tug brings out the employees and families. The cause otf the closure is unknown. AUCKLAND BUS OWNERS. AUCKLAND, Oct, 6. The private bus owners claim that under Clause 66 of the Auckland Transport Bill, they have a monopoly of the services and the roads for all time. The City Council claim that the private bus owners have the same tenure as under the old licensing tyMAN MISSING. BLENHEIM, October 8. A man named H. G. Mclntosh, a men’s outfitter at Blenheim, put out to sea in an outboard motor boat on Saturday afternoon and has not been heard of since. It is feared a tragedy has .occurred and that the boat lias 1 been driven out to sea. ; BURGLARS AT WORK. PALMERSTON N., Oct. 8. At an early hour this morning, an unsuccessful attempt was made to blow open the safe in the office of the ManaWatu Sawmilling Coy. An explosive was used inside and the lock was smashed, but the levers held the safe closed. The safe contained in addition to cheques, a small amount otf petty cash.

THE HUNTER EASE. CHRISTCHURCH, October 8. Mr P. C. Webb, managing director of Point Elizabeth Co-operative Coal Depot Ltd., states he would welcome the most thorough public inquiry into the whole ,of the firm’s dealing with the City Council. “ I sincerely hope all broad-minded people will realise that even if a technical breach of the Act has been committed, by G. R. Hunter, similar . breaches have been committed by dozens of large business men on local bodies throughout New Zealand, but I have no knowledge of any such actions ever creating the amount of feeling this case has.”

CENTRAL OTAGO FLOODS. DUNEDIN, Oct. 8

Heavy rains in the back country of Otago Central have put both the Olutha and Kawarau rivers in high flood, the latter having risen 28 feet in thi-ee days. Cromwell Development Coy’s work at Kawarau river was thrown out of commission iby a wide break in the main race, about three chains of the outside wall being carried completely ‘away. Repairs will be costly and lengthy. The rain has ceased, both rivers falling two feet by 9 o’clock this "morning.

BYRD’S WIRELESS. GISBORNE, Oct. 8. The inauguration of tlie weekly programmes of wireless messages to the members of the Byrd Antarctic 1 Expedition at present aboard the base ship “City of New' York” en route to Dunedin took place yesterday afternoon, the Pittsburg Station, KDKA, being occupied over two hours reading messages and greetings from all parts of the world to the explorers.

Throughout the broadcast, Robert Patty, Station 2AE, Gisborne, and Alex Reid, Station 2BE, Montreal, amateur operators stood by to check the results of the transmisson, Reid reporting direct to tlie organiser, George A. Wendt, of the Canadian Westinghouse 'Company. KDKA which has dropped its ’wave length to 25.5 metres was heard distinctly from the early afternoon and the initial vocal broadcast was considered highly satisfactory. Subsequently Wendt spoke from KDKA intimating that the programme would be continued weekly. He acknowledged the report received from Patty and expressed appreciation for the assistance given by him in the preliminary tests.