DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAM— PER MESS ASSOCIATION.]

NATIVE RACKS. AUCKLAND, Sept. 10. Dr P. If. Ruck, who returned by the Niagara from the Science Congress in Australia, said the films and lantern slides showing acts and customs of the Maoris wore so appreciated by the erlinoligicnl .section that a resolution was carried to approach the Commonwealth to have a similar set made depicting tlie life and customs of the Australian aborigines. There was a generally expressed opinion in this section that for the proper administratel i of the native races in the mandated territories, facilities should he given for tho teaching of ethnology by the various universities, so that civil servants, missioners, and others should have some ground on which to study the native races before going among them. This, it was urged, would prove of great commercial benefit lo the Governments concerned. In this respect, Dr Buck said, Australia was behind New Zealand. There was no lecturer on ethnology in any of the Australian universities, but there was one in Otago University.

BOOKMAKER FINED. AUCKLAND, Sept. 12.

At the Police Court Loftus Richards aged 174, was fined £2OO on two charges of being in the streets for the purpose of 'betting. It was stated that after his arrest 41 double charts and IM3 were found in his possession. 'I lie Magistrate said that he was satisfied that Richards was there for the purpose of betting. The material found clearly showed that- ho was a bookmaker and lie was quite satisfied that the c-harge was proved.

SMUGGLER. FINED. WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. A young man, Robert Knowles, a recent arrival from ’Frisc-o was fined £25 for failing to declare for Customs duty a typewriter, silk hosiery, valued at £lO, and six new trunks valued at £57. A charge of smuggling was withdrawn. EARTHQUAKE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. An earthquake was felt hero about 9.37 a.m. It was very slight. N.Z. ANGLICAN FUND. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 12 Archbishop Julius, in conference with the other Anglican Bishops in New Zealand, lias considered the matter of the disaster in Japan, and as a result, the Archbishop has cabled to the Bishop of Tokio on behalf of the Anglican Church of New Zealand, an expression of profound sympathy with the Anglican Church in Japan, and has intimated that, a relief fund will he raised at once throughout New Zealand to he administered by tho Church in Japan. Steps are being taken to form a central organisation, concern-

ing which, (lie Bishops will shortly furnish the necessary information to their diocese. Meanwhile, the clergy and people of Christchurch Diocese arc living asked to take immediate steps to establish a relief fund in each parish, ami In raise contributions. ANOTHER KI ND. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 12 The London Executive of the Save the Children Euml has notified Mr W. H. Rose, its Christchurch representative, that it is taking immeidate steps for tlie relief of the Japanese families who arc sufferers through the earthquake, and 5:- opening kitdu-n-. in vnrioil- parts. .Vit appeal will shortly be made to New Zealand .subscribers to a fund.

OPIUM SMUGGLER. WKLLTXGTIX, Sept. 12. Ah Yun, who was recently fined 1!:5(. for having opium in his possession, was arrested last night on a similar charge. At the Court to-dav lie "'as fined COO. AY lion arrested lie tried to tli row away a jar of opium. OPOSSUM REVENUE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. At the Acclimatisation Society meeting tile Internal Affairs Department wrote stating it had been informed that native birds, more particularly kiwis and wekns were being caught in

traps set for opossums. A report was asked for. It had been proposed that the taking of opossums in areas frequented by wekns and kiwis should he prohibited. The department is to be informed there are no wekns or kiwis in the Wellington district. The society protested against the decision of the Department of Internal Adairs to extend the opossum season for two weeks. The department replied that the season would be extended one week only. Regarding allocation. the net revenue derivable from license fees, royalty, etc., would this season lie apportioned as follows: Kilty per cent, of the net revenue would be paid to the Acclimatisation Societies, and oO per cent, to the State Forest Service.

A CLAIM DISMISSED. WANGANUI. Sept. 12. A 10-year old girl a few days ago proceeded against a young man. claiming maintenance for a child of which she alleged that lie was the father. Four other young fellows came into court, and volunteered the statement that they were members of a football team, andii with the defendant made a party, who took the girl to a secluded spot in a motor, and in rotation misconducted themselves with her. Tlic Magistrate dismissed the girl’s claim. The Rugby Union has moved to have the men in question removed from the membership of the clubs and barred from playing football. The case lias given rise to considerable discussion, most people being shocked at the disgusting admission made unblusliingly by tne young men.