DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1923, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[llV TELEGRAPH —PER MESS ASSOCIATION.] FALSK PRETENCES. i PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 4. At the. Supreme Court, Joseph Har- . vey Cornish was found guilty on three,

of six charges, of obtaining money bv false pretences in regard to an invention controlling the rise and fall of tlie swell of the sea for mechanical purposes. He was sentenced to twelve months. Justice Salmond said the offences were not isolated ones, but episodes in a career of crime.

LEG AMPUTATED. ! WELLINGTON', Sept. 3 Laura Girling, daughter of Mr V* . J. Girling, Af.P., Wairau, was injured by a tram. Her leg was so badly crushed that it had to he amputated. The girl is showing improvement. ' DUNEDIN EXHIBITION. DUNEDIN, Sept. 3. At a meeting of the provisional directors of the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition Company to-night a report was received from the architect giving the approximate cost of the exhibition buildings to cover an area of ten acres, J with buildings to house exhibits, croc- | tion of grandstand and also a fireproof art- gallery at not less, than £150,000, * probably nearer L‘200,000.

A DOCTOR FIXED. HA All LTOX, September 4. At the Police Court, Selwyn Haslett a medical iiraetitioner at I’utnruru, was charged with being drunk while in charge of a motor ear. The defendant pleaded that he had had a very busy and fatiguing time owing to the am » nit of sickness in the district. He had taken some hrandv and later an injection of morphia sulphatit, and <» the day in question he was not drunk. The police said the defendant drove the ear in a reckless and erratic manner. The doctor was hired ten pounds. AUCKLAND PROPERTY SALE. AUCKLAND, Sept. 1 The British Hotel and (he shops and offices at the corner of Durham street were sold hv auction for £IIB,OOO, being on a frontage basis ol 0784 per font. The price includes the lice«so of the hotel expiring in 1923. The purchaser was T. J. Buxton, DAIRY CONTROL ACT. "WELLINGTON, Sept. 3. The poll among dairy producers to decide whether the compulsory provisions of the Dairy Export Control Act shall he adopted is being conducted hv the Electoral Department, which will immediately circularise all registered dairy factories requesting them to forward to Wellington lull lists oT their regular suppliers of milk and cream, these lists must he submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer by September 11. They will comprise tho electors' roll, and each person thereon will receive direct by post a voting paper in terms of l be Ad, enabling him to signify his assent or otherwise to the compulsory clause coming into operation. Ballot paper- are returnable by post to the Clner Electoral Office, Wellington, and the last day for their receipt is fixed lor October 17.

CEMENT WORKS RESUME. NELSON, Sept. 1. It is welcome news for Nelson to know that the Tarakohe Cement Works have re-opened. li was a had day for Nelson when these important works closed down. The loss of cement in itself was a Mow to the district, but the loss of the direct trade was farreaching. The works have been overhauled and re-commissioned. The first of the new product will reach Nelson on Monday next.

The moving spirit conducting the Tarakohe Cement Works is Mr D. Reese, of Christchurch. Chequered and troublous times have been the lot of Tarakohe, but under Mr Reese it is confidently anticipated that there is a bright future before the works.

CHARGE OF THEFT. WELLINGTON, Sepl. 1. An unusual plea in extenuation of the theft of till* worth of clothing from his former employers was put forward by counsel for Edward Paul AVright, in the Magistrate’s Coin*. Counsel for accused, who pleaded guilty, stated that, his client had borne an absolutely clear character. However, lie had not been free from matrimonial differences, which counsel said had played a large part in his present plight. Ho had an extravagant wife. She led him a dunce, said counsel. When lie came up from Christchurch to secure a position in Wellington, he naturally wanted his wife also here. Kite was reluctant 'iu move and did not come for sotno lime. "As a matter of fact,’’ said counsel. "It was was only the earthquake at Christchurch that moved her eventually.” (Laughter). No sooner had she arrived in Wellington than she wanted to go for a trip to England, but accused could scarcely allord such a luxury at that period, lie paid her most of his wages. Finally she cleared oil' without consulting him and look the three children with her. Every month since her departure until quite recently lie had sent her money lo maintain her children. "Thai,” adtletl counsel, "is the reason for his present predicament.” The magistrate remanded AYriglil until Tuesday next fore sentence and ordered him to he kept iu custody.

FIRE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Sepi. 2. A fire iu Queen Street to-night at 8 o’clock totally destroyed three twostoried' houses and contents. .They were in a congested area in the city, and the absence of pressure of water made the work of tho brigade difficult. The flames blazed with unabated fury for over tin hour. The firemen bad an anxious time endeavouring to save the whole Mock. About 9.15 (he pressure of water increased, and soon the conflagration was cheeked by three well directed leads. Half an hour later the flames were well under control. All the occupants are heavy losers. Tn one ease the owner had just done the house up and refurnished it. AIR. .MASSEY’S PORTFOLIOS.

AV ELLINGTON, Sept. 1

Mr Alassay’s portfolios have been distributed by the Cabinet as follows: Finance and State Advances, to the lion AV. Dawnie Stewart; Valuation, to Sir Francis Hell ; Electoral, to the lion R. F. Bollard; Stamps, Public Trust and Native Affairs, to the Hon C. J. Parr.

CHATHAM ISLANDS SERVICE. WELLINGTON, Sept, 1

Cabinet has agreed to subsidise a steamer service between Chatham Islands and Lyttelton to the extent of £SOO per annum. The settlers have long been handicapped by want of a regular service. They can now reckon upon getting their mails and stores from the mainland and their stock and produce sent to the mainland at regular intervals.

BURGLARS IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Sept. 3.

Further evidence of the epidemic of burglaries which has been experienced in AA’ellingtou during the past few weeks was provided during the weekend, thieves entering the Departmental store of .James Smith Ltd., Manners Street, and removing a large quantity of valuable material. The intruders showed almost meticulous care in the selection of goods and did not burden themselves with anything that was not of considerable value. Their attention was devoted to highclass material, such as silks and crepe de chines, many rolls of which had disappeared when the premises were opened for business this morning, but particular attention was paid by tho thieves to gloves, which were removed in fairly large quantities. Tho actual vrjue of the articles taken has not yet beep, definitely ascertained, but it Is understood that tho figure is in the vicinity of £6OO.