VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

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COAL MINE- TROUBLE SETTLED. WELLINGTON, June 11. The trouble which was threatened ir the mining industry owing to the owners of the Brighton mine, Nightcaps, notifying the miners of a reduction of 2s. a ton in the hewing rate as from July 6th. has been averted. The secretary of the local union informed the Miners’ Federation that the company agrees to continue the old hewing rate. WELLINGTON VALUATION. WELLINGTON, June 13. Details connected with the recent revaluation of the city of Wellington have been completed. The approximate total rateable value of tbe city (metropjolftan and suburban area) is now £29,864,800, the capital value having increased by £6,236,928 since the last valuation was made in 1914. The unimproved value has increased by £2,996, 496, the total additional value of im-provements-being £3,2^0,432. Wellington’s unimproved value is now ‘assessed at £15,282,938, the value of improvements lieing' £14,581,862. QUESTION OF FREIGHT. AUCKLAND, June 13. The question of shipping freights for primary products was discussed by tbe president'of the annual Provincial Conference of the Farmers’ Union, Mr A. A. Ross, in his opening address to the Conference. Mr Ross said it was a moot point whether the present charges were excessive. Shipping was such a vital necessity to producers that their industry must always be liable to serious menace in the shape of excessive charges unless some effective control over it were obtained. 'lt is a large undertal mg,” said Mr Ross, “but in view ol the magnitude of the interest at stake it should not he an impossible one. The proposal agreed to at the last Conference of the producers, which has | been elaborated by the Producers’ Com- ! mittee, and is now being considered by the Government, seems the most practicable proposition. It means the appointment of a shipping l>onrd rJpresenting all the interests affected, whose duty it would be to make tbe best arrangements possible, and, failing a satisfactory agreement with the present shipping companies, it would mean a levy on exports, and possibly on imports, to provide the funds to secure the necessary ships.” ASSESSMENT COURT. DUNEDIN, Juno 13. The first sitting in the Dominion of the Assessment Court, constituted myler tin' Valuation of Land Act, commenced this morning. The president (Mr V. G. Day S.M.) was welcomed to Dunedin by members of the Bar. Mr Cook, who acted as spokesman, said that he felt that this new permanent Court, headed by a magistrate of j Mr Day's experience, would be of advantage to the public. Mr Day said that it vas hoped that the work of a special Cohrt, instead of there being a number of local Courts, would tend to uniformity of decisions.

SUGAR SUPPLY. WELLINGTON, This Day. The contract under which New Zealand is being supplied with sugar expires at the end of the* month and the terms of the new arrangement have been receiving consideration lately. It is generally anticipated that Government will conclude a new contract with the Colonial Sugar Coy. and there will be some reduction on the present price. The reduction may not reach the consumers immediately, since, there are stocks of sugar produced under the present compact to be disposed of. The advantage of the contract, from the point of view of the consumers include secure supplies, fixed price and guarantee of quality. New Zealand during the last twelve months has not had to hid against other countries for sugar in time of scarcity and it has got its sugar s»f less than th e average world price and has been given a quality given for all purposes.

OBITUARY. WELLINGTON, This Day. Archibald Bruce Thompson, aged 72, for many years assistant librarian of Par liament Library. Tie was formerly head master of Greymouth School, subsequently removing to Napier. He is survived by a widow and four sons, including, Mr F. D. Thompson, private secretary to the Prime Minister. BUTTER AND CHEESE EXPORTS. DUNEDIN, June 13.

The only way of conquering tho business slump in New Zealand is to produce more goods and ship tljem to the Old Country, thereby lessening the Dominion’s debit. That being so, it is cheering to learn that the export of butter and cheese by the South Island Dairy Association this season exceeds considerably the export up to the corresponding date last year. The latest loading arranged for are: —l2,Boo crates of cheese and 4555 boxes of butter in the Surrey, at Bluff; 2500 crates cheese and 3110 boxes butter in the Port Napier, at Dunedin; and 2000 crates cheese in the Tairoa, at Lyttelton. A STIFF FINE. ON A WEALTHY MAN. > AUCKLAND, June 15. In the case against William H. M. Taylor who admitted the theft of two diamond rings, Judge Stringer said he hesitated in accepting the recommendation by the accused’s counsel who stated his client was a- wealthy man, and had no need to steal, but that the case could be met by the imposition of a substantial fine, hut as the probation officer had reported favourably and the police reported favourably he w.ould agree to making the fine £2OO, such as would probably impress the accused that honesty is the best policy.