DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] A FIRE. WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. A brisk blaze in the Troeadero Hotel was promptly suppressed by the Brigade, £209 damage being done. A porter discovered the top of the air-shaft, leading from the kitchen to the roof alight, and the fire spread to the roof. On the prompt arrival of the Brigade, the fire, though blazing briskly, was speedily put out. A number of windows, overlooking the portion burnt, were broken by the heat, and the woodwork was scorched, and the stair carpets were badly drenched. The building is insured in the Atlas Office for Cl 1,000 DEATH FROM MOTOR ACCIDENT. WELLINGTON. Nov. (i. j James Ashwood, 72 years of age, died io-nigln as the result of injuries received in a motor accident. It appears that he obtained a lift from a carrier named Thomas llateliard and while coming down from Kclburn tiplorry failed to negotiate a corner and capsized down a bank. Aslnvood endeavoured to jump clear but received a fractured rib and internal injuries, llateliard escaped with a severe shaking. OPOSSUM SKINS. ALLOCATION OF LICENSE FEES. WELLINGTON, Nov. 0. The Government has decided that the revenue derived from license fees and royalties paid on tile sale of opossum skins in New Zealand shall be devoted, half to acclimatisation societies and half to the State Forest -Service. In making the announcement the Hon It. F. Bollard. Minister of Internal Affairs, stated that the decision as to the allocation ol revenue in equal proportions to nceiimatisation societies and the State Forest Service was come to some time ago, but since then the ae elimatisation societies had pressed tor reversion to the old system of allocating revenue, viz, two-thirds to societies and the remaining one-third In the State Forest Service. “The matter has, how ever,” said Mr Pollard, “been most carefully considered, and the Government decided to allirm the decision already come to. From information pine ed before me it seems clear Hint the amount of revenue available will lie largely in excess of the, amount obtained hist year. Even at the reduced pr< - portion acrlimati-afion societies will in the majority of eases at least tie re ceiving as much revenue, if not more than that received in past seasons.” TKMPFRANCE COUNCIL’S APPEAL. DUNEDIN. Nov. 6. The United Temperance 'Reform Council wrote to the Dunedin Presbytery this morning, staling that in view of the fact that Hu* General Assembly had appointed November 11 th as “Temperance Sunday,'' it suggested that the appeal for financial assistance on behalf of the prohibition cause should he made that day. The l’ev W. Trotter said the asking of congregations to contribute to the Alliance fund.'* was likely to cause trouble. In taking un the prohibition campaign they were entering the field ol politics, and although their congregation:-. might he ill favour ol prohiLll. I, '!'("■ writ; not in favour of touch mo on politic- from the pulpit. lie did not think they were going to help tlnrcau.se if they allowed themselves to become sub-committees oi the New Zea laud Alliance. They should seriously consider the "hole subject licfntVaskin i I heir congregations to give collections to the fund.

The Rev Hector MacLeau said lietime had come when they should have a (lear uinlciManding with the Temperance Reform Council. La-1 eh: lion tlie ministers were expected I give up a whole week, just before the el'-ction. for house-to-house canvassing. That sort of thing should he altered. The Rev I!. Fairntaid said that it was too late now to talk ahout keeping the Church clear of the prohibition campaign. The Rev Mr Simpson .aid il w:vpuroly the question of raising money, liet one of sympathy with prohibitior.. In his church, when the Alliance agent approached him on the matter, he win told that the pulpit would not he used as an instrument to collect funds, hut he would 1.0 provided with a list (>,!' members who would subscribe to the funds. The Presbytery received the letter and proceeded with the next business.