DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[DY TF.LEGRArn —rF.R TRESS ASSOCIATION.] A RATING DISPUTE. BLENHEIM, Sept. 20 Some time ago the River Boards controlling the Wairau watershed amalgamated, subsequently taking in an area of higher country never before included. The hoard imposed a flat rate, including the new area, which objected to pay, because the hoard failed to classify according to statute law. The hoard were advised that the rate was illegally struck, and that they must classify, which they proceeded to do. The new area contended that the classification was illusory and unjust, in that the higher situated properties rated as No. 1 should he a No. 3, and also that the new area was rated without. representation on the hoard. The Magistrate heard the objections and reserved his decision.

The Government recently carried through n clause in the Finance Act validating the rate illegally struck last year, including the new area, in spit" of the representations of the objectors that they are rated for a period when they were not in the area of the hoard and while still without representation quoting the analogy of the Boston Tea Party, which resulted in the American war of independeiii't—retrospective rating and rating without representation. The objectors propose to carry their grievance to Parliament, on the ground that, the Government’s action is a subversion of tt fundamental democratic principle. EXTRA JUDGE. (’HltrSTCril ltC. Sen. 2f> The Canterbury Law Society is strongly in favour of the appointment of an extra judge for the Canterbury Judicial district, as embodied in _i!io resolution passed by the Hokitika branch of the Westland Law Society. Before the Hokitika branch had expressed its opinion, the council of the Canterbury Society had sent a telegram to the Acting-Prime Alinister. Sir Francis Bell, with a request that two judges should he appointed to Christchurch. Advice has been received that . the matter has been laid before the Clue! Justice, Sir R. Stout, who, in turn, will place it before the judges.

TRAINED NURSES EMIGRATING. WELLINGTON. Sep. 21. Better treatment of nurses in l lilted States are said to Im responsible for a large proportion of New Zealand applications for immigration permits received by the Immigration authorities :it K:m coming Irniu women in that profession. Mm exphnial ion lie* i:i the fuel that qualified nurses in America are regarded as proie.vdonal women, and are better treated in c\ei> way than here, and the basic equals live pounds weekly. It is said that twenty-live per cent ol the emigrants from New Zealand to America lire nurses, and a majority "l Ihe others are prnlessiinial men. ' cry lev. farmers look to .America a- a pos-ibl • Dili I for their enterprise. The point Mi.ted is that, a majority of lie- inquiries regarding possibilities in l uited States , )S a new home conic Imm Christchurch and Dunedin, where iiiiwiderahle nmnlid's of nurses are trained in the hospitals.

PAPER MILLS. AUCKLAND. Sep. 21

Tie. New Zealand Paper Mills lone closed their Riverhead mill, and are. dismantling the plant for transhipment (•« headquarters aj. Alalaura. Ihe reason lor the change is the difficulty in securing sufficient lab..nr, and the high overhead charge:-, the plant being driven by steam, whereas at Alalaura t.;e use water power.

PICTURE THEATRE KIRI' AI'CK LAN I), Sen.

An oiitdn'eak of lire in the operator's box at the Capitol Picture Theatre. Dominion Road, during the interval last, audit, caused i oiisiilciahle excitement, a Tame .plantitv of films being destroyed. Smoke tilled the theatre, hut th» orchestra continued playing, while patrons made their exit, hastily, hut without panic. The brigade extinguished the lire v. hivh was confined to the enclosed space. The film destroyed is valued at £o0t). -