GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 252, 14 March 1913, Page 2

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

GISBORNE-MOT U LINE. Gisborne, Thursday. The Minister of l'ublie Works proceeded to Motu to-day to inspect' the northern railway. To-morrow he will visit the southern section of the line. A SUPPOSED FATALITY. Blenheim, Thursday. The native Mason, who has been missing since Saturday, is supposed to have left Picton in a small boat for Huikawa. The boat was found on the beach on Wednesday with one paddle in it, and it is feared that Mason has been drowned. CIVIL SERVANTS' EXAMINATION. Wellington, Thursday. A local paper published a paragraph yesterday stating, inter alia, that the Civil Service Commissioners were preparing an examination for civil servants. The Commissioner states that he knows nothing of the matter. It was possible there had been some misunderstanding. A notilicati on had been issued recently regarding the examination prescribed for post and telegraph officers. The Hon. Mr. Bell said he had no knowledge of any general examination for civil servants. As a matter of fact, he said, such an examination would be illegal. XAVAL DEFENCE. Ashlmrton, Thursday. This morning, when presenting, on behalf of the Ashbnrton Grammar School. Devon. England, a Hag to the Asliburtnii High School, the Premier said, with regard to land defence. New Zealand was doing all that was necessary, but not enough as far as naval defence ill the Pacific was concerned. There was no reason why there should not be a fleet in the Pacific capable of dealing with any eneniv that: should come along their coasts. The harbors and trade routes were not sunicientlv protected. The question of naval defence was one which ill'. Allen would discuss with the Imperial Government.