DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] PROSPEROUS TIME’S AHEAD. NAPIER. July 13. Present indications point to more prosperous times in the near future for the Hawke’s Bay farmers. It is stated by those in a position to know that the wool dip in the spring will produce one of tho best yields ever experienced in tbe province. .Musi of the winter experienced, together with the warm temperature, has resulted in the sheep producing much wool of excellent quality and a good length, and when shearing operations start these indications should he realised. All over the district the same prospects are evident. Although lambing has not yet started it is expected to produce a good percentage. Owing to the favourable conditions and the plentiful supply ol good feed the high prices now ruling for sheep and tattle have given many farmers much encouragement. Cattle, which were formerly hard to dispose of at from £3 in £! fsteers in poor to medium condition) are now bringing up to £0 10s. Some sheep owners are refusing as much as 35s for ewes, and there is a general feeling that the country is once again in for a prosperous time.

INFLUENZA EIMDEMIC. ( IIRI.NTCIirRCH. July 13 The pneumonic influenza is not making any -crimis headway. The opidemii broke out on June 21. The following table shows the number of cases an I 1 1 io number of deaths that have oerurrde since that date in the health district of Canterbury and Westland— Pneumonic influenza: 51 cases, 5 deaths. Pneumonia: 21 cases, two deaths. Totals 75 cases, ]l) deaths. The maximum onslaught lias been in the city. saitl Dr Telford, District Health Officer, lie had recommended the Education Board authorities to reopen all the city and suburban schools on Aloud ay. All to-morrow's Association fool hall matches have been postponed, owing lo the prevalence of the pneumonia influenza.

SHEEP SNOWED IN. INVERCARGILL. July 13 .Many run-holders in the hilly country of Soul bland are in a serious plight owing io the unusually heavy snowfalls, followed by extremely severe Iro.sts. From three lo four led ol snow is reported to be lying on the higher level.-, ami it has become frozen. As a consequence, many sheep are snowed in, and in the Kingston disI rift alone it is estimated that helween 80,1100 and 100,000 sheep are snowbound. and have been so for the la-f three or four da;,.-. So far it has been found iiniv.issililo to gel feed lo I hem, and it is reported Hint in one case where the sheep were ill low condition, they yhave started io cat their own wool. It is considered prolmhic that even if a thaw sets in, tho percentage of I us- c - will he very high. The Southland Acclimatisation .Society’s ranger. Air C. ,1. Evans, who ha.- hint returned from a trip to flic I.:ikes district, states that the position there is s ( , bad thai the rabbits are feeding; high no on the gnr-e hushes.

THE (INGA IMF DISASTER. PASSENGER'S COMPLAINTS. WELLINGTON'. July 11. All official reply lias l.een published to the various criticism-, of the Railway Department in regard to tile train and passenger arrangements after the (Inga me disaster. The siihstam-c of tlm re| ly is that there was a bad slip threatening near Piiiaka ami also a complete blockage south ol (lull,angn. ):S miles below T.aumarmiui. an 1 the Department wallet going lo lake any further risks of accident and -o the | a-sellgers were held and l heir camion arranged tor The Ntationmaster cl T.aumariimii says the statement that pa-.-eiigcrs were charged for storing their luggage is totally incorrect .a- it was stored free, till it was certain that they could gei safely through. Some lew uiih light luggage were transferred. 'I here was

110 delay of two hours at tile Owliullg slip a- asset led. The:,- was 55 minute while I lie waiting i arringe- were ke]

( RUKLTY YD CHILD

WELLINGTON. July 13. for cruelly to a two-year-old chili George Louis Retrain was to-oay sin

trued to six weeks’ imprisonment with hard labour. I'or ill-treating a baby girl, a step daughter both the mall am! a. woman (the mother of the girl) were charged. The evidence against the latter was not considered strong enough fur o lonvietiou. At ! nokakuriki where the parties resided the chilli was found lying on the Hoof in a wltare. R K, eon wed to the city hy two ferments. Evidence was given that, residents saw the child being thrashed a Idle naked, and afterwards it w as taken to a tap. where it was heard screaming. Then it was given a smeiid thrashing. The female accused said she was m a stale of nervous hvsieria. !">ho bad pi intention ot hurting the child. GIRLS’ THEFTS. WELLINGTON., Jul\ 13. Two seven teen-year-old girl-, eniploy.,l l,v Wills’ Tobacco .Manufactory appeared iietore Hie .Magistrate to-day. charged with the theft "f 1! H ’"- < :; i ; d cigarettes. One. who had aptiionriateil a large quantity, hail sold them to a C'liinaman at half prue. ihe other girl followed suit. It was stated unit the eidnauum had induced tin 1 gul" commit the tlielts. Ihe girl- aeie gaeu probation. The Chinaman will be prosecuted. THE DENTON DIVORCE CASK. WELLINGTON. July 1L An echo of the Denton divodre ease wils heard when the judgment ol Mr .1 ustice Saltnoinl in the ease in wlticlt John Ernest Denton appealed against the decision of Mr Hunt S.M. in which a maintenance order was made out lot the wife, was delivered yesterday. A preliminary objection had been made that no notice of appeal Inal been given bv respondent in aceoidunce with t a> law. . , .Mr Justice Salute,ml held mat the service was iii-utlicient. and it was not necessary therefore for him to consider the other and nine formidable objection which was made to the procedure by v liich the appeal was instituted, and t :. O port was therefore dismissed.

INFLUENZA in WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON. July II

No influenza, of a serious form so tar has been reported in Wellington, but in its lighter phase it has affected school children largely. Some adults are sutferiipr from a gastric form of the epidemic. which K a Tittle more unplea-

thk new .magistrate. WELLINGTON. July U

Mr H. P. I .awry, u barrister of Reefton. has been appointed S.M. and Warden on the West Coast, and he will take the place of Mr Mauusell. fc.M.. who was transferred from Westport to Nelson. ______