VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS

WELLINGTON, April 28

Regarding the expansion of the generally present inadequate school playgrounds, the Minister for Education (Hon. C. J. Parr) told a Wellington deputation to-day, re the V'rrace school ground that all over New Zealand in consequence of the past short sighted ness only too many schools were in a similar position Dozens had playgrounds of less than an acre; some hi. only half an acre. Hundreds had only two acres He "united to make it clear, because recent criticism suggested to the

contrary, that in the last 18 months, the present Government had done more to increase playgrounds throughout t Dominion than had been done for 20 years. He didn’t make the claim in a* spirit of boastfulness, as it was the Government's duty to do it when motley was flush or when they thought it flush. If times wore flush now lie would not trouble about a few hundred to prepare the Terrace playground, but at the present time the Government was quite unable to finance the purchase of more playgrounds. It would take the Government all its time to provide school accommodation for a'l the children who needed it.

Mr Forsyth, Chairman of the Education Board, disassociated himself wit’” the criticism of the Minister ro school buildings and playgrounds. Never bad such a request been turned down and .the Wellington Board had received fair treatment. INQUEST. WELLINGTON, April 28 • An inquest was held to-day on Fred Noble, who fell off a cart,on the Hutt road on Tuesday. A verdict of accidental death was returned by the coroner. The evidence showed that deceased had been a cook by occupation. ONGARO’I’OTO MURDER CASK. ROTORUA, April 26. One witness in the murder case deposed the accused, Hakaraia, had no money on Good Friday, and tried to borrow from him. Several stated Ha,karaia had considerble money on Easter Monday. Ho lost £5 at two-up and paid with a £5 note. A storekeeper deposed that llakaraia paid him a, £5 note on Monday. The relieving Postmaster deposed that this storekeeper sent away £l4O in money orders, paying in among the money two £5 notes with numbers corresponding to those on the two notes sent to the deceased Elliott on Good Friday in payment of wages. The case was adjourned until next day.

COMMISSION IN NORTH ISLAND AUCKLAND, April 28.

Minister of Public. Works has made available the report of the Commission which investigated the Arapuni hydro-electric scheme. The, report states that the Commission considered

there would be a grave risk in constructing a dam of the type proposed in the situation under discussion, the disks being such as the Government would not Hie justified in assuming, especially as there are alternatives which do not involve such risks, and which were not unreasonably more expensive.

In making the latter statement the Commission has in mind a dam of the class known as “gravity type.” They recognise that the ‘gravity type’ will contain per unit of length more concrete than the arch type, but the length will be less.

While in Waikato the Commission investigated the Aratiatia Rapids site, which favourably impressed th’em by reason of the suitability of this site for hydro-electric devlopinent. In view of the magnitude of -the proposed works they suggest that before embarking on the Arapuni scheme that the Aratiatia site he fully investigated. Li this connection it must be remembered that at Arapuni. prnticnlly the whole expenses conneted with the heailwork will he incurred before any power, is available, while Aratiatia lends itself to progressive development as the demand require!. A LAUNCH WRECKED. THE CAPTAIN MISSING. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 29. The Customs Department have received advice of the total wreck of the auxiliary launch, Tunings, at Mokau. Captain Stearne is reported missing. The vessel was owned by Stainton and .McNeill of New Plymouth. COUNCIL CLERK ARRESTED. HASTINGS, April 25. James Patrick Elinn, rate clerk for the Hastings Borough Council, was arrested by Detective-Sergeant Butler, and charged at the Magistrate’s Court that on March lltli, he did steal £34 Pis Id, the property of the Council. Accused was remanded for a week on hail, self in £4OO and two sureties in 1 £2OO each. Bail was forthcoming. Ft is u \ lenten 1 that the defalcations amount to the vicinity of £-100.

FIRE BLIGHT. AUCKLAND, April 28

'Hie Director General of Agriculture has informed the Auckland A and P Association that he is satisfied the disease affecting fruit trees and hawthorn hedges is correctly diagonised as fire |,li„ht. There is no reason u expect it wifi be less destructive here than in America. Hawthorn hedges spread and carry over the disease from one season to another.