DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1929, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

STEAMER'S MISHAP. By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. AUCKLAND, May 7. The Melanesian mission steamer •.Southern Cross” which is returning to Auckland from Norfolk Island Jbr repairs to her rudder, put into Rusnel'l this morning. Rough weaklier was experienced on the trip to the New Zealand coast, and it was deemed advisable to adjust the jury rudder which was fitted before undertaking the last stage of the journey. Alt were reported to be well on board the small steamer. She left Urnnight, and arrives here to-morrow morning. PRIME MINISTER. STRATFORD, May 7. The Prime Minister arrived here this afternoon. Ho was tendered a civic reception in the evening, when he explained the steps that are being taken by the Government to restore confidence in the country. .Sir Joseph was cordially received on each appearance in the town. He leaves to-morrow Tor Hawke’s Ray. SUDDEN DEATH OF ENGINEER. HAMILTON, May fi The completion of the first unit at the Arapuni power station was marked by a tragic circumstance the engineer in charge, ATr James AVilfred Swanev. dying almost immediately after. The power was turned on at (5.30. and cut off at 7.30. Later, Mr Swanev who was feeling the effects of the strain, went for a drive with his wife and two friends. He was suddenly taken ill and expired before a doctor arrived. Air Swanev was born in Temuka forty years a.go. He served his apprenticeship at Addington and continued his education at the Canterbury College School of Engineering. In 1 Old he took a position with the Dunedin ( ltv Corporation at the Waipori power station. In 1917 he joined the Public Works Lake Coleridge power station and subsequent was promoted first operator at Alangahao. In 19-o Air Swanev was appointed superintendent ; ,t Arapuni. He is survived by bis widow and a daughter aged eleven years. > DISABLED VESSEL ARRIVES ' AUCKLAND. Alay 8. "With a- jury-rigged rudder, the AHs> sion vessel ‘‘Southern Cross” arrived here to-day from Norfolk Island, via Russell. When the mishap occurred at Norfolk Island, the Chief Officer, (i. W. James, with rare daring, dived ,in a bathing suit and attached a wire cable to the rudder till two cables were attached to the steering gear. Yesterday it was found that one of the cables was badly frayed and the vessel was able to make the Bay of Islands just in time. Here, James repeated his fine performance and the vessel was able to complete the voyage to Auckland.

TRUCK STRIKE ENDS. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 8. The strike of truck gangs has ended, and the vessels worked to-day. The Disputes Committee has not reached a settlement.

THE EARTHQUAKE. WELLINGTON, May 8

From the seismological record at lvelburn Observatory the earthquake shock of the early hours is comparaable in intensity and probably in nature to that which recently occurred at Otira. The shock was felt only slightly in Wellington lasting 30 seconds,

A FALSE ALARM. WELLINGTON, May 8.

Uneasiness was created last night by a broadcast message Irom 2 5 A indicating that Captain Holt and \\ . H. Lett were overdue from Cambridge to Palmerston North. As a matter of fact they arrived on time, having a good passage, but Goodwin was not notified, lienee the message asking for informaI ion. WHEAT PRICES. CHRISTCHURCH;. May S. ‘‘lf it had not been for the wheat pool 1 am satisfied there would have been a sharp fall in the price ol wheat this season.” said Mr R. Matlieson, Manager of the New Zealand Wheat (.“rowers Association, in an interview. M'liere had been a tremendous rush of wheat early in tne season. Millers who had made forward purchases were quickly stocked up and in eases could not find room for another bag in their stores. Apart from the difficulty of arranging the necessary finance for further purehases, if the pool had not been in operation this would have just been flip opportunity for the speculator to step in ami force down the price of wheat. The poo! was not up against the miller but against the speculator. Matlieson said that the pool had made a satisfaoory number ol sales and had been 'able to obtain its price.

naval appointment. WELLINGTON. May 8.

Hon T. Wilford announces that Commander Fletcher (Naval Secretary). who returns to England shortly, will he succeeded by - Paymast'erCommandcr .!. T. Y. Webster, D.S.O. Webster leaves England on 21st. dune.

NOT GUILTY

AUCKLAND, May 8

At the Supreme Court, a negro, Robert White Lane, who contemplated joining the Antarctic Expedition, was found not guilty and discharged oil acharge of causing actual bodily harm to a boatswain on the steamer Golden State.

A PPR ENTICES’ CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON. May 8. The Apprentices Conference to-day left it to Mr Bloodworth (Chairman) and Mr Rowley (Secretary for Labour) to draw up a resolution they thought will meet with the approval of the Conference in regard to the examination of apprentices. It was resolved that the Minister lie requested to exercise the authority vested in him by Clause 4 of the Act. to the extent of refunding to members of committees out of pocket expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties under the Act. \ resolution was carried providing that employers’ and workers' nioml>ors of the committee should . comprise a majority of persons who are or have been actually engaged in the industry concerned. On the casting vote of the Chairman, the Conference recommended that a representative of apprenticeship committees he added to Technical School Boards,