DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON RACING CLUB. WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. The l’aciiig Club’s Annual report states that receipts fell oil by £31,0H and the profit for the year amounted to £7.5-1. In view of the heavy taxation and other expenses which owners are called upon to bear, it was not intended to curtail stakes. The amount given for the year was £1.5,000, taxation paid to the Government, reached £1.5,874. ■lmprovements made, include a new grandstand, and a members’ stand. The latter is almost completed and is regarded as one ot the most convenient structures of its kind in the world. The total revenue, including tote receipts £77.330, was £llo,2fb.

SIR JOSEPH WARD. AUCKLAND, Sept. 12. Sir Joseph Ward, on arrival, was welcomed at the Grand Hotel by friends and members oi the Liberal and Labour Federation. Complimentary speeches were made by Dr. F. Fitchetf. Dr. T. W. Leys Trevithick (President or the Federation), and Mr A. E. Glover. WRESTLING MATCH. DA IK! AYII.I.E. Sept. 12. A wrestling) match for a stake of £7OO between M. A, Sunni (light heavy weight champion of Australasia) and Wilson Hagen (heavy-weight of Auckland) last night, was won by the former. despite the fact that he was giving away nearly lour stone ill weight. The match, which was catch as catch can style, went for two rounds, Sunni securing the first fall ill/ thirteen minutes, and the second in 91 minutes. BROADCASTING. DUNEDIN, Sept. 12. Broadcasting to-night of the male choir concert i' the first occasion ol such a transmission in Australasia. A number of individual- microphones will be used at the theatre, for with only one, the singer nearest would drown tho others entirely, the blond being lost, THE MAIN HIGHWAY’S ACT. AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION. WELLINGTON, Sent, 12A somewhat embarrassing situation has arisen in the administration of the .Main Highways Act owing to the fad that revenue is not forthcoming from motor vehicle taxation and il was anticipated that when the .Main Highways Bill was submitted to Parliament in 1922 that the Motor )e----hiek-s Bill would also have been introduced ami missed. It was from the last named Bill rliat the Government expected to secure annual revenue to the amount of C 1511,000 to supplement coni ribut ions from the Consolidated Fund, the Public Works Knud and the monies accruing from customs duties on tyres. Owing to the failure to reach an agreement with the motoring organisation as to the rate ol taxation to be paid on motor vehicles the Bill had perforce to he dropped and so that source ol revenue has disappeared. Meantime the work of grouping the Countries into highways districts is proceeding, the North Island districts being pract icaliv settled, although its revenue will he considerably less than was anticipated. Tin l Hoard intends to carry out its functions as far ns is pract icablc. census ot local bodies road making plant is being taken, ’be estimated value of t bis being about C 500.000. The organisation and effective Use of the plain will occupv the Hoard and District Councils as soon as the census m complete. With a view to investigating the quality and life value of mad suiiacing mat'-rial arrangements arc being made. It is proposed in set up a Bureau of Information undo! tbo Mam Highways Board as soon as the grouping of the districts is disposed oL THE CANTEEN FUND. WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. A proposal tn merge the canteen funds in other war funds was slrennotislv opposed at last night s meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Colonel McDonald explained that they lmd had a great struggle to prevent this sacred trust being used for other purposes than for which it was intended—tin- amelioration of the position of soldiers wounded in thf- war. It was unanimously resolved that this meeting is of the opinion that the canteen fund should not be used for any other purpose than that lor which il was raised and that it should not. he handed over to any oilier hoard.

TWO GIRLS DROWNED. AFCKLAND, Sept. 12. A douhle fatality occurred at Matamata, resulting in the death ol two girls aged ten and fifteen, daughters „f J, [•'. Reck. Their bodies 'veto |V,nod in a creek on their lather’s fiitm at Okatti.i early on Monday aitenioon. Heavy rain Siiiuhiv uni. Monday morning caused a considerable amount ot water to accumulate in .* paddock near the house. It, is presum ed tile it iris went- paddling in Hus. when one. or both, walked into a shallow creel; into which the water was running. The bodies which had bee-it iu the water about an hour were iound by n brother of the victims, about nine feet apart in live and taree leet ot water, lospectively. REFORM ORGANISER. MASTEKTOX. Sept. 12. I). Hebenton (Secretary of the A\ airare.ua Branch or the Farmets Fnion) to.(icy resigned in order to take up the position of organiser tor the Reform Party. A LONG ILLNESS. AUCKLAND. Sept. 12. Viter being in hospital lor nearly li'e years, a key John Andrew Thompson 'died in that institution from injuries received in Deiember 1918. when tulj,,,, trolley, which collided with a horse and cart. NELSON. Sept. 12. The golf tournament was continued this morning in line weather, fourth round champion-hip results—Mis* son heat Mrs Pumprey •' l ->s Vioor Brown heat Miss Bell 0 and 4 Mi- Beadle beat Mrs Spiers J am 2; Al Watson beat Miss Crneroft '' >•- Min 3 and 1-