TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1921, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PREBB ASSOCIATION] THE OMEGA OVERDUE. 1 DUNEDIN, May 9. Anxiety is felt as to the safety of the American barquentine Omega, now sixty-two days out on a voyage from Hobart to Lyttelton, with a cargo of hardwood. Three weeks ago a small coasting steamer reported sighting a schooner between Kaikoura and Lyttelton, which was believed to be the Omega, but the vessel has not actually been reported since leaving Hobart. FIRE ON SCHOONER. GISBORNE, May 9 Another outbreak of fire occurred on the schooner Fairbum on Saturday night. The fire originated near the engine-room, as did the outbreak on the previous Saturday at Tokomaru Bay. It was suppressed without much damage being done. MOTOR TAX. WELLINGTON, May 10 The question of the imposition of a motor tax for the maintenance of arterial roads was raised at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. It was stated motor traffic would he the main road traffic of the future. The roads of the Dominion, with the exception of the tar sealed roads of Taranaki, were unsuited to the needs of the future. Experts recommended the use of bituminous sealed roads to counteract the spread of road material. It was resolved that properly constructed and maintained roads were inseparable from the economical welfare of the Dominion as motor traffic will be the road traffic of the future, and that an equitable motor tax should be imposed the proceeds therefrom to be applied to‘the upkeep of the main arterial roads. Toll gate methods being ineffective, obsolete, and unduly harassing. The Government is asked to formulate a scheme of road construction and submit it to local bodies. , BETTING PROSECUTION. CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. At the Supreme Court William Whelan was charged with having carried on business as a bookmaker. Air Donnelly prosecuted, and Messrs Gresson and Thomas appeared for accused. Evidence as to making bets by letter with accused was given hv Charles Carlson, bushman of Kaitiki. Detective McLeod (Gisborne) and several other witnesses were called. The Crown claimed privilege. The jury after a retirement of 56 minutes, unanimously found a verdict of “not guilty.” Accused was discharged. HOTEL THIEVES. DUNEDIN, May 10 It looks as though the hotel thieves, which have hpen operating in the Northern centres, wore on a visit to Dunedin now. On Sunday night the Parkside Hotel was entered by an unlocked window. A number of hoarders’ rooms were entered and varying sums of money, totalling £24, stolen. Thompson’s hoot factory, near the Railway Station, was also broken into and several pairs of boots stolenTHE BONUS QUESTION! WELLINGTON. May 10. Before the Arbitration Court, ,Mr Read, appearing for several l nions, said that lie presumed the Court would hear the applications for a bonus. Judge Frazer (President) said the position was a little bit indefinite. At present the bonus question was one of the matters the Court was working • n. It had to consider quite a number of things. They were having a somewhat difficult task going into everything. He hoped to make a definite announcement in the course of the next few days. He did not know whether the Court would be able to deal with the applications before it went to Napier in about a fortnight, hut, in any case, they would be back in Wellington the week after that.

GOVERNMENT’S PLEA. WELLINGTON, May 10. To-day a Labour deputation to the Acting-Premier asked the Government to reconsider its decision to curtail public buildings operations in order to find work for the unemployed. In reply, Sir F. Bell said that the Government was doing its best with the money available. There was a possibilty of an increase in unemployment. That had to lie provided for. If Mr Massey could raise a loan in London, that would ease the position; hut, even so, there were claims that would rival that of the deputation. The position shortly was that he (Sir F Bell) held the keys of the Treasury, but there was simply nothing in it. SUPREME COURT. DUNEDIN, May 11 The criminal sittings concluded this morning. Fergus William Campbell, aged 17, who pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of indecent assault at Oamaru, was released on probation of three years, conditional on paying costs of the'prosecution £22 14s, by monthly instalment. Tuapaea Whitau, for perjury, was released on probation for three years. FOUND DEAD. GORE, May 11.

Roderick McDonnell, single, aged 60, a sheep drover, was found dead near Otamita yesterday afternoon. Tt is pro BU med that deceased broke his neck by falling from his horse.