DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BV TELECRArn—PER FREBB ASSOCIATION.] MAIN HIGHWAYS. AUCKLAND, Feb. 18 After the Main Highways Board had dealt with district councils’ recommendations regarding highways, the necessary arrangements will he mado for gazetting main highways during March, so that preliminaries disposed of, the bottl’d could start active work on April I, stated Air AL 11. Wynynrd, motorists’ representative, today. As a matter of fact several proposals from districts already were before the hoard and arrangements were being made for their prosecution without delay. The board was not fixing constructional standards. Each ease would be decided on the probable traffic the road would he required to stand, the nature of material available and similar considerations.

A NEW RACECOURSE. AUCKLAND, Feb. IP. A scheme to form one ol the finest rni’ocoui’ses in Now Zealand at an estimated cost of CBO,OOO has been put in hand by the Hamilton Racing tluh. Arrangements arc being made to hold the first race meeting on the course in October next. 1 lie club purchased .'IOO acres at Torapa two miles and a half north ol Hamilton and within a mile of Frank ton railway Junction. The Auekbuid-Frankton railwav passes within a few yards. For many years Hamilton Club and Waikato Hunt Cltth held their meeting on the Show Grounds at Claudelamls. The Hamilton Trotting Club will continue to hold its meetings on Unit ground. The Hamilton Racing Club, however, found that arrangements for holding a big meeting at Claudelands wore inadequate and recently embarked on an ambitious plan to acquire a course. The area at Torapa was purchased for L’liri.OOti. Tin- main course, is eightyfour chains long. It has an eight chain radius curve at each end and a straight seventeen chains long. WEST COAST TRADE. WELLINGTON’S INTEREST. WELLINGTON. February U>. The Chamber of Commerce to-dav considered the report of its West Coast Trade Committee, and adopted the following recommendations: -- That a protest be made to the Railway Department against any preferential tariff being granted upon one section of the railways that will give nuichauts in one locality a prclerencc over the general trades and the gentji:ll tax-payers ol New Zealand. That it he pointed out to the West Coast and Canterbury public bodies w hut steps have been taken in Hie interests of Wc-t Coast Trade, pointing out that a bi-weekly lreight service has been secured, anil the steamer Koinata has been reinstated In the Westport ■sei vice. It was also decided to spend a sum of ipi to r.-.O towards advertising in the West Coast papers, setting forth the advantages of trading with Wellington It is hoped to prepate some figures rf the freights, which will show the advantages gained b\ pureliasing in Wellington. OVERSEAS I’ARCED I’OST. AVLLbJNG lON. Februaiy 10. ’The Cuinmiltce of the Chamber of viirmeive to-day repotted its conelu- j skh.s reguiding the parcels service. ' 'Frisco or Vancouver. It stated that Die proposed .service of 10 days had little to HH’oiiiineiid it against the present Ranama service of .‘lB to 12 days, and the extra charge would lie unwarranted. -except in exceptional eases. I’he ( onimiitee, however, urged that tly. postal authorities he asked to allow an increase in the size of parcels carried tin j’siiamii, from -I feet- to G feet (length and birth, combined), even it some increase in inter would -be entailed.

It was pointed out that the present size i.s restricted and places I’.ritish exporters •under a disability, compared with Americans, who us the ’Frisco or Vancouver routes.

M ATF.ItMTV MOI’TA LITY. WELLINGTON, Feb. 18

The com mission set up to inquire into the prevention and treatment of puerperal septicaemia and like diseases, in particular relation to the illness of patient.-, at the Kelvin Maternity Hospital, Auckaud, comprises. Mr Fred Earle, K.C., Auckland, chairman; Sir Donald M’Gavin, Di-rector-General of Medical Services, Dr J. S. Elliott and Lady Luke.

The commission is to inquire into the conditions under which the disease of puerperal septicaemia or like diseases arise or .are spread, and particularly into the occurrence of maternal deaths at the Kelvin Maternity Hospital, Auckland, during the year 1023, for the purposo of ascertaining Hie cause or causes of such deaths or illnesses, and the circumstance thereof, whether there was any, and if so, what connection in their causes of the origin: whether all necessary and desirable measures were taken to prevent their oeeurranee, and what steps, it anv are necessary or desirable to prevent a recurrence of similar illnesses or deaths under like circumstances. The commission is empowered to lake evidence in other centres besides Auckland if it is deemed ncessary and is to report not later than March 31.