DOMINION NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14040, 24 April 1920, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) ArCKLAND. April -_>:». The inttu.v of A.-i.-itie- into the Dominion and the uneasiness occasioned t her* by ha,iv not escaped the attention of the Government. Mr Mas«vy today./ The difficulty in dealmg/Vith the matter was accentuated by the Indiana, to whose arrival exception is being taken, being British subjects. 'Hie matter has been referred to the Crown Office, to ascertain whether there is sufficient power at present vested in the Government [o cheek this immigration. Ft the powers now exi-ting prove insufficient, then Parliament will be to deal with the matter a.s early as possible in the session which commences in .June. ••There is a pretty widespread epf- j demtc of influenza, in the Xorth Island, and we have accordingly decided to close the schools in the Wfiangarei. Bay of [stands, and Hokinngn districts lor next week," stated' Dr Makgifl. District. Health Officer, to-day. "'I can say nothing about the numbers, but the doctors in the di-tricts named are notifying cases freelv. There are one or two serious cases, but no more than arise in the- ordinary course of mild influenza." Referring to the influenza among the .Maoris at Rotorua camp. T)r Makgill states that all are very mild, more like simple colds. They scarcely warranted being diagnosed as influenza. A prisoner named William Frederick Murray, who achieved notoriety by escaping from Mount Eden Gaol early in January. created a sensation on the Wellington express at Auckland. whither he wa- being returned under escort, by escaping from the train as it was nearing Auckland yesterday afterneon. He took a desperate risk by jumping from u carriage lavatory window, when the train was going at full speed, close to Middicmor.- Gulf Link? at Mangere Crossing, and. while lucky in escaping serious injury, he was so knocked about and shaken by the fall that he Wius not able to get far frv.m the line before one of the escorting warders got- back there and recaptured him. The Alice- Parkinson Release Committee waited on the Prime Minister this morning to ask him whether anything could be done in the way of approaching the Prince of Wales for the release of prisoners. Mr Massey told the deputation that it was not a matter in which the Prince of Wales could possibly interfere. He advised them to communicate with the Minister of Justice or with judge* who sentenced the prisoners, or. as a third course, to have a petition, which has already been largely signed, presented to Parliament. These*, he explained, were the only methods he could think of that were open to the committee, and likely to produce any result. The committee also watted upon the Governor-General and presented a petition with over 100.000 signatures praying for the release of Alice Parkinson, and besought his consideration in a spirit of justice*, mercy, and humanity. /

* nCXEDrN*. April 23. A married woman named Frances Ethel Neiison. need 3*> years, died under .;« anat-sthetic at the Dimedin Hospital List niuht preparatory to undergoing an 0 ne rat ion. FEIXDIXG. April 2.3. The annual meeting of the Fefldinji branch of the Farmer?' Union passed a resolution: '"That this meeting relets that nothing has been done to relievo- the position regarding the congestion ire the freezing chambers; also That the* Prime Minister be asked whyhe has not called a conference of pro-dtK-era* delegates for whtch members 1 were elected many months ago. to consider the congestion of meat in Lon<lon" W'ESTPORT. April 23. The big land sud<? '" thc BnJ,er Gorge has apparently completely destroyed the famous Fern Arch. Therw appears to be at least 2000 yards «n the slip, including some big blocks of conglomerate stone, nnd the .work of removal will be difficult and, dangerous. A bridge was smashed by the fall ot

earth and stone, and some four or five telegraph poles were -engulfed. • -It is thought- that « light mail might be got ; through to-day, but it will be some time next week before the road is clear for traffic. In the meantime cars will rim" to either side of the sup,' an.d passengers may take the risk of a climb over the debris. It would, however, appear to be unwise for lady passengers to attempt to get through yet, and the passengers that do come will reonire .to travel light./ WELLINGTON, April 24.

I The Director-General of Agriculture [states that there is good reason to hope that in addition to the 600 tons of superphosphates already on the way from AustraJire further shipments will snortly be forthcoming, thus relieving the acute shortage, at anyrate to' some extent. .

DUNEDIN, April 24. It is announced that the ShipownersFederation has found it necessary, owing to the increased cost of wages, etc., "to advance freight rates on coastal general cargo by 4s per ton and oii produce 3s per ton! The fares on the ferry service between Wellington and Lyttelton. which have not been advanced, since pre-war days, have been revised bv the abolishment of return tickets from May Ist. Single, tickets only ,will be issued at present. AUCKLAND, April 24. The trnmwaymen have accepted the Council's offer, with slight variations. FOXTON. April 24.

At the local Court. Thomas Curran. licensee of the Family Hotel, was fined €lO for supplying liouor to Natives for consumption off the premises, and Co for supplving liquor to Natives after hours.