DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[nv TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DESTRUCTIVE fire. INVERCARGILL. July 11. A disastrous fire occurred at six this morning in the ,Shaw Suvill storerooms at. Bluff. When discovered, the fire had a good hold, and delay was occasioned in fighting the flames by a shortage ot hose, but tbe Harbour Board’s hose was obtained, and the fire was got under by nine. Tbe stores are completely gutted, and a liou.su no at by was partially wrecked by falling debris. A large quantity of grain and wool was ■stored in tbe buildings. Tbe in-ur-‘MiC'O.s art.* nut availaMe. UNION OF COUNTIES. WELLINGTON. July ii. The pr> jeeted new legislation will have the eliect oi lacilitating the union of counties where such is desired, thereby saving considerable overhead expenditure and leaving more of the rates available for tbe construction and maintenance of roads and bridge-. This decision arises out of deliberations that have been going on among the ('(unities in Southern Hawke's liny, whose desire to become united lias been somewhat hampered by the possibility of a less sub-idy being paid by the Government consequent on the union. Under the existing legislation subsidies are 1 nynh|e to county councils, the maximum being £25(10. If therefoie. a county was receiving the maximum, and became united with another county or counties, no greater -uni iluiii £2300 would he payable to the united county, us was payable t-> tnc several counties prior to the union. As difficulties have arisen in obtaining the necessary petition- for union in the past it is proposed that authority l.e given in the new law for the Governor-General to issue a proclamation declaring that any two or more countie.- may be united to form one county under ,-ueh name as lie deems tit. COUNTRY CLUB’S CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON. July 11. Replying to a deputation from the Country Ruling Club's Conference. Mr Massey to-day said that lie -yilipiitlii-ed with their requests for more ruling days for country clubs and a reduction in taxation. A Bill would lie b, lore the House this ses-ion. and lie thought Parliament va uid agree to a rca-oiudde increase in the number of permit-, lie advised that the more reu.-Sfiiiahie clubwere in their request-, tile more likely were those requests to he grunted, lie did not know w hat position the Legislative Council would take up. As to telegraphing investments to -errctaries ol racing clubs, be thought the provision , in the law against it did more harm t bun good, and might very well be removed.

HOTEL DESTROYED. PA 111 ATT A. July 21. The Miikuri Hotel was totally de--lroved by lire about midnight, it i--npp i-vd through a defective chimney. The hotel contained 2d room- and the owners are Dwiiit Rt'o-.. the li ("i-' 1 being Mr N. W Is. No insurant os are uvuilubb. sudden death. NEW PLYMOUTH. July 12 The death occurred somewhat me expected!v thi- morning oi the Rcveiaiid Percy lln 11. -y. Wc-Fkiu Minister. who was recently transferred i rom Rotorua. lie eiime Imm England In Nelson in Bill) and served with the expedi’l ionary forces m Fram e and Belgium in I'Jl 7-1 "b lie was appointed to Rotorua on in- ret urn from the front

RAPING CONFKRF.Nt E OPF.Y’-b WELLINGTON. July 12. The New Zealand Racing Confereiiei opened to-day. The President, Sil George Clifford. gave an address. The balance -licet of ill- general tni-lcc-I .11 . idee: fond wa . :e|o|.(cl T be < billereuee approi e'l ol the concessions given to eei't a ill club' m >»- fereiice to stakes. ’The -I i pend ia r\ steward- presented their report which staled that the munagi'ini'iil and control ot race on e, iiig- during the past -ea-on had lie show n the marked miproi eiilelil t’e.'.i might have been expected, except it a few case-.