LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1920, Page 3

LATE LOCALS.

An offer of 2000 guineas was refused by the owners for a two-year-old Clydesdale colt, bred and reared on the Wairongoa Stud Farm, North Taieri. This is a record price for Australasia.

In the Legislative Council last week in the debate on the hi(l proposing to abolish grand juries the Hon H. L. Michel expressed opposition to the hill, saying the time might comp when the grand jury would be the public’s buffer against a dangerous Government, The event- of the week is the special card tournament and dance to be held at St Mary’s Club rooms on Wednesday evening. 'Hie gathering promises to be a large one, a good number of players have signified their intention of competing for the prizes kindly donated for lovers ol the game op 45’s, Good music has been arranged for by the Committee for the dance and judging by the inquiries for tickets a good evening’s en_ tertainment is assured.—Advt. An interim return of the number of sheep in New Zealand on April 30th last shows a decrease in the North Island of 998,302 and pi the South Island of 873,052 —a net decrease for the Dominion of 1,871,354’ in comparison with the corresponding period of last year. These figures are approximate, and the Minister of Agriculture says the final returns will probably reduce the estimate of the decrease very considerably.

Though no definite information is available, it is understood that the reorganisation of the Public "Works Department under the Hon J. G. Coates's administration will be important and far-reaching. The resignation of Mr R. W .Holmes, Engipeer-in-Chief, who is well on in years, was not unexpected and will pave the way for certain promotions.

A petition, beaming thirteen signatures, was presented to Parliament last week by Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., ask ing that tho granting of free railway passes hitherto issued to the Greymoutb Sisters of Mercy serving the Runanga and Brunnerton Convent Schools when travelling to and from their schools, shoftld continue. It is pointed out that the holders of these passes have been notified that when those now in use run out, the concession will lie terminated.

'flic last of the debris brought down in the slip at the. Otira end of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel was cleared away hist week, and for. tho first time for six weeks there was a clear passage for the small electric supply train. The slip was due to a fall of loose disintegrated rock .which bent and twisted tho heavy blue-gum supports, and piled up along the open head of the tunnel under pressure from a strong stream of water. Tho patch is particularly dangerous‘on account of the nature of the country, and before any further move forward is made it will he lined with a double thickness of concrete. On account of the risk, the Otira men engaged at this point are now working in four-hour instead of six-hour shifts, and receiving £1 a day instead of tho ordinary contract rates.