DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MUTTON FOR MELBOURNE. DUNEDIN, July 2.3. There is a prospect of n trade in fat sheep being opened tip between New Zealand and Melbourne. A consignment oi about .TOO sent by Mr A. Mnthowsnn will go forward to Melbourne by the Mocraki, which will leave here to-morrow. Some of the sheep were purchased privately, and the balance tit auction at Burnside today. They are a particularly nice line, being prime line crossbred and halfbred wethers, carrying valuable skins. The consignment :- estimated to kill out at ,01b each. The prices realised are considered very .satisfactory.

aviation development. AUCKLAND, July 27. Mayer Gtinsnn doubts- the aeouraev "I the report that the Government intends to drop Auckland as a centre for aviation development. Even if the Government is not in a position to furnish an aviation station here immediately, the opportunity to secure a good site near the city should 11- -r be neglected.

The Auckland Aero Club appeals to the Governenl on behalf of North Island interests, io seriously consider this i|Uestion. SIIFNTING ACCIDENT, HAMILTON, July 27. While shunting, Kenneth Morrison, aged .‘id, fell off a truck and was run over by the engine. Both his legs were fractured and almost severed. He was hospitaled and his condition is serious. A FIRM FINE!) £!<):i. A rCKI.AND, J ll l v 27. The E. I’orter Company, said to be the largest linn in the Dominion dealing in the- sal- of explosive.-, was lined £!<*) for selling explosives without a permit. Thirty three charges were preferred. The manager said the Arms Act was the cause of pint,ricking, and li - had written, to the Minister to have the Act amended, hut it was fruitless. The Magistrate thought it very necessary to comply with the law. as supervision was essential on -ales of explosives lo ensure public safely from certain gangs, who might procure it to blow up public buildings. The Act should not he modified, hut il anything, it should be made more stringent. N.Z. LIQUOR LAWS. WELLINGTON. July 27. A meeting was held this morning of the Select Licensing Committee set up by the House of Representatives to advise the Government upon the necessary amendments in existing liquor legislation. Mr Hockley (Rotorua) was u|>poi.n ted chairma.ii. The committee u ill meet, on Friday morning next, to bear evidence upon the petition of Canon Williams and others upon the question of the corporate control of the licensing trade.

TIM ARC SUICIDE. TIMARU, July 26. An inquest was held on the death of Frank ( aiTi' ti. aged 17, managing director of the Timaru-Fe: ndnlo Coal Coy. The evidence shotted that the deceased had been found dead ill the Telephone Room ol the I imam Bottling (Tull, of which la- was a member', with the jugular vein severed. There was a razor in deceased's right hand. Carlton had been .-eriotislv ill vith in-

fluenza. after a ten-weeks' sojourn on tlu- West Coast:, connected with the

Coal Company’s operations. Mr .Mosley. Co:oner. gave a verdict of death from a. wound in the throat, sell'-iiillicted while dec-et-ed was Iu a state of great mental depression. ;e the result of illness and business worries. FA RMERS' sri'l'i >KT WEIL.IXGTON, July 27. At a meeting of the Dominion Farmers' Executive, a resolution was passed: “That . this meeting, representing 3,000 iinaneial menikets, emphatically approves the principle of the Dairy ( i iitrol Bill." It also was decided to appoint Mr Cob he as delegate to give evidence for the Union before the Agricultural. Pastoral and" Stock Committee of lie- iloll.-e el' RepiV'Olltatives.

CAETIEK OF A SEAL. NAPIKU. July 23. The visit of a stranger to these pai ls, in the shape of a seal, aroused some excitement, on the Awatoto beach, .'boot 1 | .11(1 o’clock an employee of Mr A. L. Falls’ starch works noticed the miii'liia! basking in the sunshine about liie cards from the water. lie immediately procured a rope, and calling a fellow workman, the two crept to dose gunners . The seal, evidently lulled to sleep by the warm sun and gentle roar of the breakers, and at. peace with the world, started up as one of the men moved closer. It swished Its tail and made for the water and safety, but a dexterous throw on the part of in the men bad the rope securely round the mammals’s tail and all ils struggles were in vain. The seal was about Hit from head to tail, and weighed approximately from .|sl> to s<r.i:i>. It was ol a silvery colour touched with black and is known as I’hocn Vitalina, or common seal. The police at Napier were eomniiiiueaLed with, and the men were inlormOd that it was out of season and they would have la soi the seal free. I lie. mammal was released, and with a llonrish it entered the wat t ami made far the sea. no doubt wondering why his siesta in the sunshine had been rudely interrupted by mere man.

N.X. LAW SOCIETY'S KEQMIS'I

WLLUNGTON. July 27

Representations were made to the Attorney-General and the Minister ol Justice to-day. by r.n influential deputation from the New Zealand haw Soeiety for the appointment of an additional judge to the honcli of the Supreme- Court. The Attorney-General was unable to give a direct reply to tho request but intimated that nc would bring the matter under notice of the Cabinet at an early date.

THE AMUSEMENT TAX

WELLINGTON. July 27

A remission of the amusement tax payable upon entrance charges to football matches was urged upon the Prime Minister to-day by a deputation from the New Zealand Rugby Union. Mr Massey said that while he could not make a definite promise lie was hopeful that he would be able to get legislation through Parliament. reducing the tax to a ten ain extent, but not perhaps this year.

LICENSING REPUTATION

WELLINGTON, July 2

\ large and influential deputation from the King Country waited on Air to-clnv. urging that tho livonsing pact made with the Maoris in IS3I should continue to be respected, j Mr Massey -aid that lie recognised] the difficulty about the pact and was not i re pa rod to suggest a. way out. He "as as keen as anyone m maintaining good faith. and unless thete were good reasons to the contrary. that applied to the pact. He did'not expect any licensing legislation to go through this session. He be-

lieved the time had come tor drastic reform of the liquor traffic in the interests of the public. He would not go into details, hut did not think the present state of affairs could continue, i, it was going out, well and good, hut if it was not. we should have something a great deal better than we have now. That would take legislative effect when opportunity offered.