LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 18534, 17 January 1924, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

At the conclusion of a’ presentation to ilio late postmistress at Wedderburn 1 strong comment was made at the action of the Postal Department in summarily closing the office on December 51 without : any previous intimation. It was stated that on that day the postmistress received an order to'send the keys, etc., to Ranfurly, and, although the 'department knew on November 19 of her resignation, no provision was made in the meantime for a successor. Messrs R. F. Inder and -R. J. Smith were appointed to bring tho : matter under the notice of tho PostmasterGeneral.

The recapture of two of the prisoners who escaped from Mount Eden Gaol was effected by tho policg yesterday after a long chase of an • auxiliary boat by a motor launch. At 2 a.m. the stealthy movement of a sailing craft off Parnell aroused suspicions, and tho police set off in pursuit. The fugitives could not start tho engine, and had to roly on the sails. When in Tiri Channel about 9 o’clock they endeavored to evade their pursuers by tacking, but the firing of a rifle shot across their bows caused their surrender. At the third annual conference of tho Horticultural Seedsmen’s Association at Palmerston North the following officers were elected President, Mr Down (Auckland); vice-presidents—Messrs Skene (Dunedin) and Cooper (Wellington) t treasurer, Mr Daniel! (Invercargill). The seventeenth annual conference of the New Zealand Association of Nurserymen opened yesterday morning. Mr Lennie (dominion president) and the delegates wore accorded a civic welcome by the mayor. Members of the Revaluation Committee, who have been investigating applications for the revaluation of soldiers’ land in North Otago, express the opinion that in the large majority of cases the settlers are of an excellent typo, who, with fair opportunities, would be bound to make good. Some have been working against heartbreaking odds, and have had to maintain themselves and families on very small incomes. The great majority, however, are in good heart, and are determined to make success of their holdings. So far not half of tho settlers in the district have applied for a revaluation. There was no change In the position of the Port Elliot yesterday. A rope was secured from the beach by a boat, but after being fixed it snapped in the middle. The Arahura landed Captain Plunket,

Lloyd’s representative, at Hicks Bay. Captain Blunket proceeded with Captain Rainey and the police inspector to the wreck. The, steamer Ruru is working cargo alongside. The sea was calm in the morning, but at 2 o’clock it was increasing.