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Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1930, Page 4

World history promises to be made this week. The. great Naval Conference to be opened in London by the King to-morow,.is an event of outstanding importance. With it is bound up great possibilities. The preliminary conversations give promise of results, the measure of which is likely to be substantial. The relations between Great Britain and the United States, appear to be more openly cordial than on any previous occasion. Air Ramsay MacDonald has contributed specially to that by his late friendly visit to the States, and his informal talks with President Hoover and his Cabinet. Japan, too, is cordial and sane minded in an earnest effort to achieve practical results, and as heretofore regards Britain as her particular pattern in most things naval. These three Great Powers are sure* to do their best to reconcile the differnees which have been made manifest as between France* and Italy. Certainly the conference should open in an atmosphere of great good will. The King’s Speech should lay the foundation for the happiest results, and the note His Majesty strikes is sure to lie taken up by the* British Prime Minister. New Zealand will have special representation at the Conference in the person of the Hon Thomas Wilford, who has just reached Home as the newly appointed High Commissioneir. The special knowledge Mr Wilford lias of the Pacific will enable him. to speak with a good deal of authority, but the major issues of the naval limitation are not likely to be bound up in the needs 01 the Pacific. The requirements of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea will lie the special bone of contention affecting battleships and guns. Cruisers come more into the needs of the Pacific, and with regard to warships of that calibre, there is not likely to be the same keen controversy as in the case of the capital ships. London has often been a great centre of action, but this week the Elmp'ro cardial takes on a special degree of public interest, and it seems parti ularly fitting that a Great Power Conference pregnant with such world possibilities .should have its vonure in the Empire contra. A*s we said on a previous occasion, there are high hones and event expectations in regard to the Confer, once, and we can onlv hope tliev will be realised. Tf so, the result will he truly a great beginning for the new year.

A former well-known West Coaster, A 1 rs Christina Kennedy, died on the loth. inst. at Sydney, where with her husband she conducted the Els wick Hotel. She was a native of Granity, ami before going to Australia conducted the 'Je Aro Hotel at Wellington. Mrs King, wife of Mr T. King, manager of the ltewaiiui State Mine, is a sister of deceased.

The iirebell rang out an alarm on Sunday morning at 2.30 o’clock, the cause being an outbreak of fire in an old hut on the sea beach, at the, rear of Beach Street. 'J'lie building which was in a had state of repair had been unoccupied for a considerable time. The flames were soon subdued, the Brigade being on the scene promptly. The outbreak adds another to the list of finis ni unoccupied houses that have taken place locally in recent years.

Following a statement by the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) relative to the desirability of a universal Saturday half-holiday, affiliated associations of the Master Grocers’ Federation were communicated with, with a view to getting their opinion upon this question. The replies received indicated that there is not unanimity. Whilst a universal Saturday half-holiday in general appeals to those in the cities and large towns the country traders and those of the smaller towns do not generally approve.

The death took place at the Grey Hospital yesterday morning of Mr David James Mettrick, who formerly was a well-known hotel-keeper at Blackball, and latterly had resided at Greymouth. The deceased, who had attained the age of eighty years, was a ,native of Hol'mbridge, Yorkshire, England. Retiring from business three years ago lie had resided in Greymouth with his son James, He leaves two daughters, Mrs Peek, of Christchurch, and Mrs Mathie, Oamaru, and four sons, Urie and James (of Greymouth), Harry (of Christchurch) and Ralph (of Blackball).

Easter falls later than usual this year, namely the third week in April. The Easter racing circuit this year will be more extended than usual, due to the fact that the Westport Jockey Club will race a week before Easter, and both the Westland and Greymouth Clubs will add a day each to their Autumn programmes. In all, there will be eight days racing, and with two trotting events each day, there will be sixteen races in all for Trotting horses for the circuit. This arrangement is likely to attract a. larger string of horses than is usually the ease.

Whether the nightingales that were imported to Auckland a year or two ago have reached Christchurch, or have reared offsprings that have come to that City, is now an interesting point. Last week from their residence on Mur-rnv-Aynsley Hill, St. Martins, two ladies, one of whom had lived in England, listened to the liquid notes of a song bird which the lady from England declared was a nightingale. For ten minutes the bird carolled on, while the listeners stood entranced, one wondering what New Zealand bird it could *ie that sang so beautifully at night and the other recalling mild nights at Home when England’s finest songster lifted up its voice in melody. u

1 Squadron-Leader J. Lloyd Findlay, of tile New Zealand Air Force, at present training in England, wlio was reported on Friday as being successful in his flying examination in London, securing an A.l. certificate, is 33 years of age, and a son of the late Sir John Findlay and Lady Findlay. Ho was horn in "Wellington. When the war broke out in 1914, SquadronLeader Findlay joined the infantry n.s a second-lieutenant, rising to the rank of captain, and seeing service in France. transferred to the Air Force in 1916, retaining his rank in his new sphere. From the beginning he was recognised as a brilliant pilot, and served in the Royal Air Force in England "-"r 1 Ireland until 1921, when he came to New Zealand. After two years he was appointed second in command at the Wigram Aerodrome, Major L. M. Isitt, then Captain Isitt, being in charge. When Major Isitt went to England in March, 1926. Souadron-Lender Findlay succeeded him in his post, and remained in that position until May of last year, when he left for a refresher course in England, being succeeded by Captain M. W. Buckley. The distinction which Squadron-Leader Findlay has just achieved is the highest test which can be passed by a British aviator. The Central Flying School exists for a training in instructors’ courses, and is the leading centre for refresher and advanced courses for qualified pilots. The standard to he obtained in passing the examination fur the A 1 certificate is exceptionally high. McKay’s are making special reductions in Evening Frocks, priced from L4s lid to 45s—Advt. Addisons have just opened to-day a range of all the new shades in “ Lady Jane Hosiery.”—Advt. Fluctuations of the current as experienced locally do not effect to any great extent the All Electric Majestci Radio set. A ballast tube overcomes this annoying condition and also protects the sot against excessive voltage and the resultant burning out of transformers. Ring ’phono 112 and arrange for a demonstration. L. S. Ross, Majestic' agent for Westland.— 10. Addisons are making special reductions on all Millinery and Frocks. Advt.

Mr C. G. Moore, mercer, of Greymouth, lias received the sad news ef the death of his father, Mr Chas. Gifford Moore, at Christchurch, on Saturday morning. The deceased was formerly a noted Rugby footballer, having represented New Zealand in the eighties and been a prominent member of both the Poneko and Petono senior teams. He leaves three sons, two resident in Wellington, and on daughter, also residing at Wellington.

A party of bathers who visited Waikawa Reach, Southland, were surprised to find emerging from the flax on South Head, a very fine specimen of sea-bear. As it plunged out on the beach, the bathers, deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, made for the ■shelter of some rocks. The sea-bear, which had come to a halt on the beach gave vent to a dull roar, and then walked down to the sea, where it swam to and fro for some time. The animal remained on the river for about 24 hours, and was then not seen again.

The report of the Buildings Commitee of the Canterbury Education Board, stated that Docherty’s Creek Committee wrote stating that if the Board would forward sections of a portable school building, the Committee would meet freight charges and accept liability for erection. It was resolved, that the Foreman be asked to prepare an estimate of the' cost of manufacturing the sections. Authority was given for renewal of foundations and floor of entrance porch, renewal of floor of classroom, provision of a new tank and repair of out offices (£2l 10s) at Wainihinihini. • The remodelling of the Waitaha s hool is to be proceeded with (£7B 10s). ' .

On her first visit to Auckland is the new steamer Australind, a name which will at once recall Gallipoli to any one who remembers New Zealand’s part in the great mistake (writes the “Auckland Star”) The present steamer is the third of that name. The first ran for a number of years in the coastal trade on the north-west of Australia. The second vessel, built in 1904, was engaged trooping during the Great War, and she landed he New Zealanders at Gallipoli. In the latter part of the war she was employed as - a night ferry across the English Channel. Old Anzacs may like to know that she has been sold, and is now registered as the Colbert. Captain A. Hunter who was in- • command when she landed the New Zealand troops at the Dardanelles, is in command of the New Ans" traiind. He has just completed twenty years with the same company, the Australind S.S. Company (Trincler, Anderson and Co., London.)

There will be general regret at the news of the death of a highly respecter! citizen of Hqkitika, in the person of Mrs Elizabeth Daly, widow of the late Mr Thomas Daly, (a former County, Chairman), of Eitzherbert Street, which took place ; esterday about midday. Deceased was a native of County Clare, Ireland, and 83 years of age, and had been in failing health for some time past, her end not being unexpected. Deceased came to New Zealand with her brothers tlie late Messrs M. and T, Killeen, arriving at Hokitika in the early sixties, and residing here ever since, rearing a large family and gaining a wide circle of friends who will deeply deplore her decease. Her husband died many years ago. She leaves a family of five daughters (Mrs Ryan, Hawora, Misses Margaret and Aileen, of Hokitika, Lucy, of Dunedin. and Mary, of Wellington), and six sons (Peter, in Dunedin, Rev. Father Leo Daly, of Wellington, Thomas and Cornelius, of Greymouth, John in Australia, and Sarsfield in Sydney). The passing of deceased removes another of that sterling band of early pioneers, now so sadly thinned. The members of the family will have the deep sympathy of the eommunitv in their bereavement.

1.00 Tea pots all sizes to be cleared at the Economical Crockery Shop at very low cost of 2s 3d each. P. Stephens, Proprietress.—Advt.

You are always in want of towels. We have just wliat you want in a large assortment. Prices from Is 9d per pair tp 13s 6d per pair at Frank Bade’s. ’Phone 179.—Advt. Girls’ School Uniforms in all sizes with bloomers to match in navy, Zampa cloth from 7s lid at McKay’s.— Advt.