VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1921, Page 1

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[BV TELEGRAPH—FEE PRESS ASSOCIATION j A CHALLENGE TO DR THACKER. CHRISTCHURCH, June 26 In answer to an influential deputation of citizens Mr C. P. Agar, who recently resigned as City Councillor, definitely gave ill is assurance that lie would challenge Dr Thacker, M.P., to resign the Mayoralty of Christchurch. Mr Agar further staled that he would undertake, if Dr Thacker accepted his challenge, to submit the matter to the Judgment of the electors, and that he would, if defeated, pay the cost of the election out of his own pocket. PAY ON RELIEF WORKS. WELLINGTON, June 24. Mr G. Mitchell, M.P., recently wrote to the Acting Prime Minister suggesting that instead of the present flat rate on relief works of 10s per day for single, and 12s for maried men, all the wives of married men should be paid 2s per day for the maintenance of themselves, and Is per day for each child under 16. To this, Sir Francis Dell has replied that ho will submit the question to the Cabinet at an early date,hut in anticipation, “may point out that we could hardly pay £1 2s per day to a man with 10 children under 16. If any scale were provided of increased pay per child where there are children dependant, the increase must cease at a certain number.’ KILLED BY TRAM CAR. AUCKLAND, June 26 A visitor from Wanganui, Mr Armstrong Newborn, of the boot-importing firm of Newburn and Crichton, WanI ganiti, was knocked down by a tramcar in Queen Street about 6.30 yesternight. dying a feu- minutes later. He was a married man, aged 60, with no children. Death was the result of internal hemorrhage. FIRES AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 26 A fire yesterday afternoon damaged a waichouse occupied by the Gane Milking Machine Coy, and Caro Bros, (fancy goods and china importers) in Wyndhnm Street. The goods in the top floor occupied hv Caro Bros were destroyed. The whole of the first floor was also occupied by Caros and this

suffered much damage hv water. The Lane Coy’s stock on the ground floor was damaged somewhat by water. The damage to the building was confined to tin' top storey and roof. The building is owned by G a ties. It is insured foi £7,500 in the Victoria Coy. An offer to purchase it at £21,000 was refused recently, (lanes stock was valued at £15,000, and was insured, but. tin amount is not available. Damage estimated at £I.OOO was caused by fire in the National Electrical Engineering Go’s last night, a portion of the workshop being destroyed, with the contents. The stock was iusured for £28,000 in the National Office. A fire at noon to-day damaged an II roomed house in Parnell owned by the Colonial .Motor Coy. It was occupied l>v the-manager, and the lire started in thd kitchen, till Imt three rooms being burnt. NO HOUSING. W FLUNG TON. June 26 The secretary of the New Zealand Miners’ Federation (Air J. Arhuckle) has received a letter from the Miners’ Committee in the Westport, district, stating that it is absolutely impossible to get accommodation at Afillorton, Stockton or Denuiston. \lr Arbucklo has been advised that iiimors should not go to those places unless they first of all secure a guarantee of aeeommodalion. TIIF HUAI ONE REGIMENT. MASTFRTON. June 26 General Chaytor, who was a visitor to Masterton during the week-end, attended a dinner on Saturday as a mark of the disbandment of the Ruahine regiment-. On Sunday lie was present ul Lie consecration of the regimental Hags at St Matthews, when Archdeacon Watson officiated. 'Hie flags wen- placed in safe keeping in (lie ( hiircli, and many old officers of the regiment wore present.