DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

VETER A NS’ ASSOCIATION PALMERSTON N., Dec. 22

The annual meeting of the N.Z. Association of His Majesty’s Veterans was held here yesterday. The annual report stated that from a return furnished by the Commissioner of Pensions 83 Maori War pensioners died during the period. October 1921 to September 30th. 1925. On the latter date the total survivors drawing pensions had decreased to -t 715. I The strength-of the Association was: Taranaki 42. Wanganui 10, Hastings 12. Wellington 8, Manawatu 8. total 80. The Gisborne and Ma.sterton bran-li-es ceased to exist and at other ] lan - it was impossible to hold meetings owing to the old age of members. It was only a question of time when the Association, as a body, would cease to exist.

The Secretary stated that since •September last, seventeen more pensioners died.

The election of officers resulted : Major Loniat, Vice-President; Major Garner. Secretary. The meeting received a letter firm the R.S.A. inviting tho Association to amalgamate with it, and the following resolution wa.s carried : “This Association. after considering the .suggestion of the R.S.A., while thanking it for it.s well-meant intentions, cannot join up, and consent to lose identity. ’XMAS POSTAL TRAFFIC. HEAVIER THAN EVER. Y\ KLJ.I NG I ON, December 22. Ihe Ninas postal traffic is heavier than ever. Double shifts are being worked and where one ton vans were formerly sufficient three ton vans now have to he used. N.Z. LOANS. \v ELLINGTON, December 22. Private messages received from .Melbourne state brokers have issued a circular announcing the New Zealand Government wa.s arranging the issue of a loan in preparation at 5.1 per cent lor ten years, hut it is officially slated that nothing is known here about it. R.M.S. TAHITI’S PASSENGER’S. WELLINGTON. December 22. Among passengers by the Tahiti were Ratana an his pally of 2* men and women, all dressed in the newest litshioiis. Moko. Ratana’s secretary, estimated that cures and relief were effected in about 3700 cases. Dr Thacker and party also returned. FIREMEN BRAWL. AUCKLAND, December 22. A brawl occurred on the Federal Line steamer Suffolk at the Queen’s wharf last evening, mid as a result \\ . Brown, a fireman, was hospitalled, suffering from, severe injuries to the lace and head. Another fireman was arrested on a charge of assault.

A DROWNING ACCIDENT. INVERCARGILL. Dec. 21. At about 3.30 on Saturday afternoon one of the Railway Rowing Club's boats overturned in the New River Estuary. Leonard Warburton and William O'Neill, w ho were in the boat, got into difficulties at once, neither being able to swim. A launch passing went, to their assistance hut both youths sank. O’Neill was rescued bv the launch, but Warburton could not be found. A search was made hv the crews of the Rowing Club, and Warburton’s hotly was recovered at about II o’clock the same night. The boat, ill which the incident occurred wits an ordinalv pleasure boat. THE NEW FERRY BOAT. PKTON, Dec. 21. There was a memorable scene at Piclon this evening when the I'nion Coy's levy steamer Tamahine, specially built at Homo for the Wellington-Pb-ton service, arrived on her maiden trip, with streamers of flags living ami llu- Australian Silver Baud playing. A huge crowd of cheering Pieton people on the wharf were reinforced by a large otticial party, including ail the public men, and a big section ol the business community from Blenheim who wore the Company’s guests on a special train from Blenheim. The) Tamiiihine was thrown open lor inspection by the party, who were delighted at her roominess, convenience, and up-to-dateness. Later in one of the saloons felicitation were exchanged between tho Company and the visitors over a glass of champagne. APPEALS DISALLOWED. AUCKLAND, December 22. The Arbitration Court delivered its decision on appeals by the Federated Seamen’s Union ami \l . T. Noting (Union Secretary) against the decision of Mr Cutten. S.M.. in the proceedings arising out of the action of tho donkeymen on coastal steamers reinsing to operate the valves or other nii'.cihnery. following on the issue of a circular by the Secretary of the Union. In the opinion of the Court the decision of the Magistrate was sound and the anneals were disallowed with five guineas costs to respondent in each case.

The circumstances it was held, eonstituted a strike in the meaning of section .‘5 of the Industrial. Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act. 100SL and the strike was clearly instigated hy the Union and the other two appellants.