200 MAORI PRISONERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25029, 20 October 1944, Page 4

200 MAORI PRISONERS

; RELEASE EXPECTED SOON | TRIBUTE TO THE BATTALION (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Thursday The release shortly of some 200 Maori prisoners of war in camp in Germany was indicated today by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, when addressing the Maori conference at present being held in Wellington. They would have an opportunity of visiting Britain, but as soon as possible they would, be returned to this country. Mr Jones paid a tribute to the Maori race in its fine response to the war effort. As a consequence of approaches made to him, the Maori Battalion had been created and had established a magnificent record. Altogether 3342 Maoris had gone overseas, of whom 500 had lost their lives. During his tour of the Middle East he had visited Takrouna, the scene of epio feats by members of the battalion. The Maori Battalion had some splendid leaders, said Mr Jones, referring to the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel C. Awatiri as its commander. Lieuten-ant-General Sir Bernard Frevberg had recognised the possibilities of leadership among the Maoris, and where these were clearly indicated he was ready to give suitable recognition. COAL FOR GAS ONE VESSEL DELAYED

, ANOTHER SHIPMENT COMING | The Union Steam Ship Co.'s vessel Kartigi, on which the Auckland Gas ' Co. has been relying for coal, did not enter Greymouth Harbour until mid- | day yesterday, and indications last nighi were that she would not leave before noon tomorrow. It had been hoped ' that the vessel would have been back at Auckland on Sunday night or earl.'y on Monday morning with 2000 tons oi coal, the major part for the gasworks. A report from Greymouth last night said that the Kartigi was held up for a day by bad weather. Heavy seas had been running, but conditions had improved. Little work had been done 011 the vessel last night. The general manager of the Auckland Gas Co., Mr R. Worley, said the Kaimiro was due to leave Westport today, and in that case she should arrive at Auckland on Monday night. The latest developments would not affect the restrictions during the weekend. If the Kaimiro left on time the company should be able to get through without a complete stoppage. Mr Worley said the company had not yet received the coal from the Union Steam Ship Co.'s bunkering hulk in the harbour. It had been stated that the weather was too rough for the hulk to be moved to the wharf. It was essential that the coal should be made available today. CONSIGNMENTS BY RAIL SHIPMENT FROM LYTTELTON (•0.C.) WESTPORT, Thursday Two trains carrying 1200 tons of coal for the North Island left here today for Lyttelton, where the coal will be shipped. The Railway Department is preparing a timetable to permit two special trains daily to carry coal to Lyttelton for_ shipment to the North Island, providing the necessary waggon's are available. During the four-weekly period ended on October 14 9099 tons of coal were railed to the east coast from Westport district mines, excluding Charleston. This total is the biggest of any period since the lino was taken over by the Railway Department 12 months ago. The total amount of coal railed through to the east coast since the Railway Department took over the line is 56,830 tons. ARMISTICE DAY TWO MINUTES' SILENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday In a notice appearing in tonight's Gazette the Prime Minister, Eraser, requests citizens and traffic control authorities throughout the Dominion to observe the practice adopted on similar former occasions of two minutes' silence from 11 a.m. and the suspension of all vehicular traffic during that period 011 Armistice Day, November 11. SCRUB FIRE MENACE TAUPO PRECAUTIONS (0.C.) TAUPO, Thursday After repeated requests made by the Taupo Road Board to the Government for assistance in dealing with the extensive scrub fires which occurred so frequently in Taupo during the summer months, advice has been received from Mr J. Girling Butcher, chief fire inspector, that the Government is now releasing a number of forestry fire engines to bo stationed at Taupo. The advice intimated that the board would be expected to house the engines and also to attend to the formation of a fire brigade. The board decided to make use of a bulldozer to open up a number of the roads on the outskirts of the residential area to act as firebreaks. These roads at present are not in use and are overgrown with inflammable scrub. . ESCAPE FROM LOCK-UP The man who escaped from the lockup at the Central police station on Wednesday morning had not been found at a lato hour Inst night. He is Thomas William Jamps, a farmer, aged 22, and he was being held on remand, on a charge of theft when he escaped by climbing up a pipe on the ,wall of-the yard.