DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1930, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

AUCKLAND’S .RAIN.

(By Telegraph—Per-’ Press Association||.

AUCKLAND, Feb, 15

Up to midnight live ihches of rain had fallen since ‘ 9 o’clock on, Thui'sday morning and it is still raining steadily. Test cricket is but of the question again to-day, , #

VETERAN PASSES. . ' . >,<■■_ AUCKLAND, 51 Feb. 15

George Hill, better known as Trooper Rowley Hill, one of Auckland’s oldest veterans, died; at Takapinia, this morning, aged 93.’' He fought with Garribaldi and was at Scbbstopool, and was also with Pell’s Brigade in the Indian mlutiny. He was, at' the Relief of Lucknow, and was a member of VOll Tempsky’s Forest Rangers in the Maori War., ’.,

LABOUR ACTIVITIES

MR M, J. SAVAGE’S COMMENT

AUCKLAND, Feb. 14

‘‘There’s nothing- sinister" in these,, organising activities,” declared Mr M. J. Savage, M.B.y deputy-leader-of. the.; jj.abKHir Party, jwhen questioned regarding his Party’s, activities, in the souths ‘‘The. Labour’ Party dobs not-' intend to be caught napping. We are merely, preparing .for...possible;, developments.” fi'.'-./r - ;; ‘ ■ti

NO EARLY SESSION

PARLIAMENT PROROGUED

WELLINGTON, Feb 14

A proclamation has been issued in a Gazette extraordinary announcing that Parliament, which at the close of last session was prorogued until a date not earlier than February 20th; is now further prorogued till not earlier than June sth. The usual date for the ' mjaeting of Parliament is the last, Thursday in June. This announcement fis of interest in j view of the recent speculation of a i newspaper correspondent that, in view |of the necessity , for the Dominion to [ be represented at the Imperial Conferjerre in September, an early session j might, be expected this year. It suggests that, there ;is< no present intension of summoning Parliament before I the customary date.

KAITANGATA .AND kaiapoi, : FOR: CHINA.

WELLINGTON, February 13

Late yesterday afternoon, the t lion Company’s.:oldqqurgo steamers. Kaitangata and Kaiapoi, whiclr were handed over this week to the William son Steam, Ship Company, of Ilongr Kong, . ..left; Wellington Y°r Westport, where they i-will take bunkers. From Westport the vessels will proceed to Rabaul, to,/lift cargo for Hong Kong. On reaching China .both ships will be docked, thoroughly overheaulecU and repainted with the colours of their new owners.

Captain Williamson, who is representing the Williamson Steam Ship Company in New Zealand,' left by the Kaiapoi for Westport, where he will superintend the coaling arrangements He will later return to Wellington. | Captain Ha ugh ton and'Captain Wil | kins, who have had Considerable exj noi-ience in the China Seas, have comI maiid of the Kaitnngata and Kaiapoi ] respectively and. Mr Fox, late second i officer of the Totara, is second office.! ;of the Kaiapoi. The ther'officers and k engineers were all enlisted in New j Zealand.

NIGHT TRAIN TO NEW PLYMOUTH

HAWERA, Feb. 15,

According to advice received by Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P., the inauguration of the night express service, three (i times weekly, between Wellington and Taranaki, may be expected net month. Information to this effect was given the Hawefa Chamber of Commerce by : Mr Dickie last evening when he read a letter received the sa,ine evening from the Minister of Railways. The matter has now been brought to a stage where a time-table lias been formulated, states the Minister’s letter. It is proposed that a night, train shall leave Wellington on Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays at 10.36 p.fii., arriving at New Plymouth at 8.15 a.m'. The return train'will leave New Plymouth on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.10 p.m., arriving at Wellington at 6.32 a.m. The Department expects to be in a position to . commence running the trains about the middle of March; concludes the letter.

The new service should be a boon to the district, particularly to business people, in paying visits tp Wellington with a minimum loss of daytime hours in travelling, said Air Dickie. That opinion was endorsed by the President of the Council, Mr B. C. Bennett, and other speakers.

NORTH AUCKLAND FLOODS

AUCKLAND, Feb. 15

The weather is now 'learing. Railway comunication north of Kaipara Flats was interrupted by the floods, The Whangarei express, which left Auckland at 8.40 a.m. on Saturday, was held up at Ka.ipara Flats Station. There was six feet of water on the line in the vicinity of Wayby.