DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[llT TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] A \VKSTI’OUT RESERVE. WESTPORT. Jan. L'O. interviewed concerning Section 33A at the North Reacli, which was recently proclaimed a recreation reserve, and later vested in the Domain Board, Mr Kensington (Commissioner of Crown Lands),l reports that his personal inspection failed to find the survey pegs. Whether the whores that have recently been built are on the said reserve, or situated on Crown lands, cannot yet be determined. An authoritive survey will shortly be made. The Commissioner expressed his private opinion concerning the buildings on the beach, but it is not for publication.

DROWN INC ACCIDENT. PALMERSTON X., Jan. 20. A young man. Newton Collins, aged 3t engineer of Palmerston North, was drowned while bathing in the Maim watu river on Saturday. Apparently he got into difficulties in a strong -current. A rescue attempt by a friend, George Allen failed. The body was recovered. CROQUET TOURX AM ENT. PALMERSTON, X., .Tan. 20. At tile Dominion croquet tournament in the handicap doubles final, Mrs S. McCullough and .Mrs Richardson - Christchurch.) defeated Air Oaughley (Wellington) and Mrs Maddern Sydenham) 36/15. This is the third time the winners have won the final of this section, each time at Palmerston North. INSECT PESTS. PALMERSTON N., Jan. 17. That the Goverment realises the danger which threatens timber in this country through the introduction from the Commonwealth and other countries of various pests was made clear by Air David Miller, Government F.ntomolagisl, In an address to the Nurserymen’s Conference. There was no doubt, he said, Hint a great many hardwood pests were being brought to the Dominion beneath the hark of poles, and there was every possibility ibat many were becoming well established. Some might not become sufficiently numerous to become injurious, though others thrived under our conditions and became established very quickly. 'The speaker referred particularly to gumtree blight, the ravage of which had spread in many parts of both islands, having been first introduced in Timaru district, and to the leaf weevil. The while nine borer was difficult to combat, and the only remedy was to use a little sapwoml as possible. In reply to questions Air Aliller said there was no evidence that the pests bad attacked any New /calami hardwoods yet. The position would naturally be improved if tile poles were barked. No timber was absolutely immune from tile- borer, as many woods such as tolara which reputedly were immune had been found susceptible.

On Hie motion of Mr G. A. Green llie follow in:: was carried, “That the

afforestation together with the existing area of indigenous forests, necessitates urgent legislation to control ho importation of ir.i’Jricua insects and the dr-pred it:c".’: insect, fungoid and allied diiea.es, and we demand the appointment of specialists attached to the State Forest Service for the control of these pests.”

Mr .T. A. Campbell, Director of Die Horticultural Division, also addroed tlie conference on proposals for the (luarantinc of imported plants, and f!.o principle was affirmed bv dolog.r'es. SENIOR NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP WELLINGTON. Jan. 18. Tbc following is a list, arranged in alphabetical order, of West. Coast candidates who, in the Senior Xational Scholarship examination of Xovember. 1024, reached the standard of qualilieation lixed for a scholarship to those of the candidates who are otherwise eligible, scholarships will be awarded by the several Education Hoards concerned : lJarlthrop. Frederick Alexander. ('(lrey Technical) 1458; Daly, Mary Courtenay (St. Mary’s, Oreymouth) 1580; Mai pass, Ethel (Greymouth Technical) 1451: Meyer. Ruby (Hokitika D.TI S.) 1411; Xankervis. Rhhard John (Greymouth Technical) 15(14.