DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1938, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS

GAS INSTITUTION. [Per Press Association.] TIMARU, February 11. The annual conference of the Gas Institution of New Zealand concluded at Timaru, to-day. It was decided to affiliate as soon as possible with the National Gas Association and the Gas Institution of Australia, thereby facilitating the adoption of a national advertising scheme in New Zealand. Officers were elected as follows: — President, Mr. C. H. Collins (Auckland) ; Vice President, Mr. H. Horrocks (Dunedin); secretary, Mr. G. A. MacFarlane (Christchurch); Council, Messrs F. W. J. Belton (Christchurch), J. H. Grenfell (Oamaru), M. J. Kennedy (Wellington), A. Morrie Taylor (Timaru), James Lowe (Auckland), W. B. O’Toole (Invercargill), auditor, Mr. H. C. Ridley (Christchurch) ; trustee, Mr. John Hungerford (Wellington). METEOROLOGIST’S RETIREMENT. WELLINGTON, February 11. After an association with the Dominion Meteorological services extending over nearly thirty years, Mr. B. V. Pemberton will retire at the beginning of next month. Educated at Christchurch, he was first attached to the staff of the Magnetic Observatory there, and took part in the magnetic survey of New Zealand. In 1910 he was appointed Assistant Meteorologist in Wellington, and on various occasions has been acting as director during the absence overseas of the Directors. He has always been associated with the weather forecasting branch of the Department, having 28 years continuous service in this special work. Captain Peterson, Harbourmaster at Wellington, when told of Mr. Pemberton’s forthcoming retirement, said that he would be much missed. He had always been of great assistance to shipping, always obliging and considerate in advice, and his forecasts had been accurate and of very great value. Similar expressions of regret were made by others engaged in shipping. Mr. Pemberton and his wife will leave in March, on a trip to England, where they have a son, Dr. T. H. Pemberton, resident surgeon at one of the large hospitals. CORONATION STAMPS. WELLINGTON, February 11. Over 21,500,000 of New Zealand penny' Coronation stamps remained unsold, when the stamps were withdrawn from circulation at the end of December, and they will have to be destroyed. The number of stamps sold between Coronation Day, May 12, and the end of the year was 42,099,661, as follows: —Penny issue, 38,455,554; twopence-halfpenny issue, 1,564,946; sixpenny issue, 2,079,611. Numbers of stamps printed were: Penny 60,000,000; 2id, 2,000,000; 6d. 3,000,000. FIRE BRIGADES’ DISPUTE. WELLINGTON, February 11. The terms of employment for fire brigadesmen in the Wellington industrial district, excluding Wellington City, were considered by the Conciliation Council, to-day. The dispute involves fire brigades as far north as Wairoa, on the East. Coast, and Wanganui, on the West Coast. Of some 32 parties listed, the employers objected to approximately all but two, on the ground that the brigades to which objection was made had volunteer men in their ranks. Mr. L. Glover said it was not intended to cover volunteer firemen, but, when pressed, he gave no definite assurance as to the Union’s action in connection with men who, though volunteers, received certain cash sums, including sums for clothing replacement. No decision was reached regarding exemptions, .meantime. . SIB TRUBY KING. DUNEDIN, February 10. Speaking at a special meeting of the executive of the Dominion Council of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Inc.), held this morning, the president (Mrs. James Begg) referred to the great loss the Society had suffered in the death of Sir Truby King, and the following resolution was placed on record: —“That this society mourns the loss of its great founder, Sir Truby King. The So-

ciety of which he was the head owes its being to his spiritual and moral leadership, which inspired thousands of men and women to enlist in the cause which was so dear to his heart—the welfare of women and children. Sir Truby King began a crusade' which was to have such wonderful success when in the prime of his life, and even when waning physical powers deprived the society of his immediate direction, it remained his chief interest. “The sympathy of the Society is extended to Miss Mary King, » tives, and intimate friends, in their bereavement. Sir Truby King’s memory will remain an inspiration to. the Society, enabling it to continue his great work for women and children as its best tribute to its beloved leader." HOLLYFORD VALLEY TRAGEDY DUNEDIN, February 11. The mountaineering tragedy above the Homer Tunnel, in the Hollyford Valley, on Wednesday, involving the death of John Hunter Mac Lean, 22, of Dunedin, was caused by a huge boulder striking deceased, and , not as the result of a fall down the mountainside, according to information supplied by one of his companions. Deceased was a member of a party fully equipped for mountaineering, the others being George Chance, junior, of Dunedin, and a guide, Donald Cameron, of Hollyford. They were returning from Milford to the Homer Tunnel, by way of, Trave Talbot Pass, and were within a quarter of an hour’s walk of the Public Works camp, when they decided to rest on a ledge. The three men were roped together, Mac Lean sitting between the other two. Without warning, a hug boulder six feet above them fell, and struck Mac Lean, his death being instantaneous. Chance had a lucky escape, the boulder just missing him. An inquest was opened this morning, at the Homer Camp, and was adjourned. MAIL NOTICES. SATURDAY, February 12th. Nelson 6.8 a.m. Reefton 6.8 a.m. and 2.40 p.m. Hokitika 6.35 a.m., 11.45 a.m., and 3.45 p.m. Westport 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Christchurch, Dunedin, and North Island 9.18 a.m.; late fee 9.48 a.m. Christchurch and Dunedin 7.30 p.m, North Island 7.45 p.m. INLAND AIR MAILS. North Island, via Nelson 6.8 a.m. Nelson, Blenheim. Dunedin and North Island 7.45 p.m. Australian States, South Africa and East also Australia-Singapore-London air mail (due London 3rd March) per “Awatea” 9.18 a.m. Late fee 9.48 a.m. SATURDAY, February 19. Great Britain, Ireland, Europe, Canada, U.S.A., via Vancouver, Fiji, Fanning Island and Hawaiian Islands per R.M.S. “Niagara” (from Auckland) 9.18 a.m. Late fee 9.48 a.m. (due London 21st March). W. P. SMITH. Chief Postmaster.