TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —?ER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

TIMBER. INDUSTRY SLUMP.

TNYERCA’RG-ILf, July 4. A number of sawmills in Southland have closed down temporarily and others are working short time. It is’ estimated that upwards of oO workers are out of employment.

Discussing the position with a “Southland Times” reporter, Mr W . R. Riddell, a well-known miller, explained that orders for timber had fallen off greatly during the ]Kist month or two. This was due to the tightness of the money market. Until this took place there was plenty of building wanted, but the necessary materials were unprocurable. Now the materials were available, but those intending to build in many cases did not have the ready cash. In Mr Smith’s opinion the depression in the sawmilling industry will not last very long. “Of course,” he qualified, it will depend on the outlook for the Dominion’s produce. When that improves the industry will get hack on a sure footing. In the meantime the Government £5,000,000 loan should assist the industry in common with commercial life generally.”

THE AUCKLAND DOMAIN. CHARGES FOR ADMISSION. AUCKLAND, July 1. “The New Zealand Rugby Union,” said the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. H. Gunson) this morning, “has evidently not appreciated the fact that the Auckland Domain, by the virtue of the Auckland Domain Vesting Act, 1893, is vested in the city of Auckland, and the Act clearly lays down the terms under which the Domain is to be administered and controlled. I am quite satisfied that the council would not agree to any legislation, even if it were possible, and it is quite certain that the Government would not consider the introduction of any such legislation in defiance of the council for the increase of the ordinary fees. The fees

pres,n'l>c<i in the Act are not in any case exceeding for each day one shilling for each person, and not exceeding ss. for admission to the stand. It is therefore a question within the decision of the council that the fees mentioned should lie permitted. I have no doubt, that if the ground is duly taken and other requirements are complied with, the council will, as is customary. grant permission to charge Is for admission, but I am of opinion that- there is no legal power for any supplementary charge so far as the ground is concerned, after admission had been gained for the individual payment of Is. It is therefore, unlikely that the council will consider any proposal of this character.” The question of the price of admission to the stand.” added the Mayor “is one for the council, and if an ap]>l7*ation 'is made it will ho dealt with in due course, hot in any case, the Act limits such charge to 55.”

A LONELY DEATH. THAMES. Tul v |

It has been reported to the police that a man of middle age named William Ferguson, a bushman, has been found dead beside the track fourteen miles from Thames.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.