TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[PKH I’UESS ASSOCIATION'. —OOEVlilGfal

THE ARMS ACT

WELLINGTON, January 5

From reports to hand the coming into operation of the Arms Act is being attended with good results, the public generally making a reasonably satisfactory voluntary effort to observe the conditions, which many regard as somewhat drastic. One very satisfactory feature is the whole-hearted co-opera-tion of all classes, who evidently recognise the necessity for such action. Many valuable firearms held as souvenirs have been voluntarily surrendered, the owners expressing willingness to forgo the pleasure of possession if their action is calculated to assist the authorities. In some cities detectives have been specially detailed to see that the instructions contained in the Act are carried out. Where determined opposition is shown recalcitrants will bo brought to hook.

PUBLICATION OF NAMES

A STRONG DETERRENT

AUCKLAND, January 5

When a case of shoplifting was being heard in the Police Court this morning counsel for the act-used asked the Magistrate to direct that the names of accused. who were first offenders, should not he published. Detective-Sergeant Hammond, who

was prosecuting, pointed out that die case having been previously before the court the names had already been published. Apart from that, however, he said tlie strongest deterrent in eases of shoplifting was the publicity afterwards given in the Police Court. '‘lt is really the greatest deterrent we have,” he added. The Magistrate, Mr M’Kean, said it was only in exceptional cases that he would give a direction in regard to nonpuhlication of names. MINISTER’S MOV EM ENTS. WELLINGTON, .Tan A. The Prime Minister returned to Wellington to-day, and was quickly hack at work in his office. His Auckland trip was not exactly a. holiday, for business follows him wherever lie goes. The Hon J. (!. Coates and the Hon. I). If. Guthrie are also hack in Wellington, and tlie Hon W. Nosworthy returns to-morrow.

Mr Coates says that great progress has been made in the North Auckland district. Dairy farmers, especially, are getting splendid returns. Mr Coates will commence his South island tour at the end of the month or early in February. He will go via Marlborough and Canterbury to Otago. and will devote special attention to railway routes and hydro-electric schemes. Mr Guthrie will visit the soldier settlements in Otago later in the year. LOCAL BODIES’ LOAN. WELLINGTON, January (i. The Prime Minister, referring to loans to local bodies, says that where an increase oil the rate of interest fixed (SJ) is desired, applications will be judged entirely ( on tlleir merits. There is no general (rule. Work for which new loans are required must he urgent. DEAD BODY seen. TE AWAMHT Jan 0. A message from a houseboat says that passengers yesterday saw the dead laidv of a man, face down, hung up on a log in the river, about ten miles below the houseboat.

The body was high and dry oil the Raetihi side. The boat being full of tourists, the body was not taken on hoard. It was dressed in a woollen singlet, grey trousers, tan boots, and uujro tt belt with a pouch. No one is reported missing. The police are investigating.

IMMIGRANTS

WELLINGTON, Jan. 5

The stranded Imperial soldier immigrants for New Zealand .‘ire still detained in Australia owing to the shipping hold up there. Meantime, their wants are being catered for by the New Zealand Government, and further monetary assistance was sent to them today. They are being looked after on behalf of the New Zealand Immigration Department in Sydney bp.’ Mr Blow, representative of the New Zealand Tourist Department in Sydney. As soon as steamer accommodation is available they will ( .ome on to New Zealand.

Five steamers are expected with immigrants from the Motherland. The Paparon with 250, including 32 domestic servants is due here on Friday. The Immigration Department will be very busy for the next five or six weeks. The arrangements made seem excellent. The immigrants are a good class, and very quickly become absorbed in various occupations. The demand for domestic servants is still, unsatisfied. Those who arrive ano at once snapped up at good wages, and there is still a large waiting list of niisfefesses wanting servants.