DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—I'ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CAUGHT RED-HANDED

I'll A. AG ERS SENTENCED. NAPIER, March 20 Patrick Burke (storeman), Peter Fisher (fireman), and John Edminson (don key man) wero charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day with stealing from the Atua, at the breakwater wharf, live raincoats, four pairs of men’s trousers, one boy’s suit, four rugs, and seven dozen men’s collars. The chief officer said he caught the men red-handed. Seven cases had been interfered with. The accused admitted the tlieft, and were each sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. ABOUT TO RETIRE. CHIEF SURVEYOR OE SHIPS.

WELLINGTON, .March 26 "Mr X. 1). Hood, Chief Inspector of .Machinery, Chief Surveyor of Ships, and Chief Examiner of Engineers and Eiigiuodrivors for tho Dominion, having reached the regulation age limit, will retire on superannuation at the enu of the present month. All interesting career closes with the retirement of -Mr Hood. A Scotsman by birth, he arrived in New Zealand with his parents in 1802 at the age of three years. In 1880 he went to Scotland to gain further experience, and entered the service of Messrs Alexander Stephen and •Sons, one of the bigegst shipbuilding linns 011 the Clyde. Ho entered the service of tho Union Steam Ship Company and rose to the position of chief engineer. Forty-one years ago he was in the Taizoa trading along the East Coast ol the South Island. Later he was in the Takapuna, one of the first vessels to he fitted with electric light. He was also in the Wannka, which was •illerwards lost in I8|)| in the Taranaki Bight, fle had inter-colonial passenger service in the llauroto and Wailmra. lie was twice wrecked, once on the ( lyde. when 11(1 lives were lost, and on another occasion when the llosketh was wrecked on the .south boa oh at the entrance to Oreymouth, no lives being lost. Mr Hood held tho position of superintendent of the Blackball Steamship Co., leaving their employ to take up a position in the public service, flu ring which he was in charge of the Nelson and Canterbury districts, During the past four years Mr Hood has Moon iooatecl at tho hoar! o/lico of the -Marine Department, lie is also exofficio chairman of tho Board of Examiners under the Inspection of Machinery Act, and during the last nine months has held the position of chairman of the National Disputes Committee under the seamen's award.

CONSERVING ELECTRIC .SUPPLY. DUNEDIN, .March “(I. With the object of making some arrangement to conserve as far ns possible the Dunedin electric, power supply a representative meeting of manufacturers conferred this afternoon with Mr .1. B. Shacklock, representing the electric power and light committee, and Mr C. Henderson, city electrical engineer, and agreed to curtail the use of electric power by one-third from I'hursday, April 3, till the following Monday morning, if called upon to do .0 by Mr Henderson, provided the City Council cuts out unnecessary elect lic power of its own immediately. BREAKING AND ENTERING. WELLINGTON, -March 20. Police inquiries info the recent burglary at tho warehouse of Pieot Bros.. 1 horndoii, terminated this afternoon in the arrest hv Detective Coddriogtoii ol a man who will he charged with receiving a portion of the property alleged to have been stolen. Two young men, Roy William fsjiencer and Henry Alexander Aluicott, who were pieviously apprehended by Detective Coddrington, appeared before Mr E. Page in the Magistrate's Court to-day on a charge of breaking and entering the premises r.nd stealing therefrom six motor tyres, a spare wheel and a spare rim, to the total value of £5. They were remanded for a week, hail being allowed in each ease. AUCKLAND TEPID BATHS. AUCKLAND. March £G. Auckland is in danger of losing its tepid salt water swimming baths, which have been a much appreciated luxury in the city for many years. Hot water was obtained from the tramways electric- power house, hut with the extended operations of the l’ower Board the old tramways electric plant is being discarded. Warm water for the baths will be unobtainable after next month. 'I he Mayor, Mr Gunson, stated to-day that the revenue from the baths was absorbed by maintenance, leaving interest and sinking fund to he met by the ratepayers. To instill a heating plant would cost about £4OOO, placing an additional burden on the ratepayers. If the bath charges were increased the attendance might fall away, and still leave a large deficit to be met. The matter was being considered by a committee. Meanwhile after April cold salt water would be provided.

MOTOII SKHVIC’KK

GISBOITNK, March 26

A test case came before Magistrate r.OTVv this afternoon, which should prove of considerable interest to motor service companies and taximen. . Iwo motor scrviie companies, registered in Gisborne, and running north and south of the town. pick up pnssegers in various parts of the district, and the point involved was whether the companies should be registered ‘ in the counties through which they pass. The Cook County Council proceeded against the Aard Motor Company and the Gisborne Motor Service for plying for hire for the carriage of passengers within the Cook County, without obtaining a certificate of registration from the locaj authorities continuing such reads. Plaintiff’s counsel said iho defendants conducted a regular motor sen ice over tin. county roads. Defendants, in one case, had picked up a at Whangara and brought him to Gisborne. not having obtained registration, required by the County by-law. Counsel for defendants contended the Council was imposing a tax on residents outside the district for the use of the King’s highway. It was not unusual for a taxi to be engaged on a trip through the North Island, and if such regulation were enforced by every local body the car proprietor would have to pay £IOO to go as far as Wellington. The County Council contended that there was a difference between plying for hir? and carrying passengers on an established service. The Magistrate reserved his decision.

MINISTER OF LANDS TO RETIRE. FEILDING, March 28. The Hon D. 11. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, announced to a meeting of the Social Reform Party that he would not seek re-election after the end of the present Parliament. His retirement is caused by ill health but Air Guthrie will retain his portfolios until the end of the present Parliament. SOCCER TOUR OF N.Z. WELLINGTON, Alurch 27. A meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Football Association was held to consider the finance of the Chinese tour. The Committee estimated that the tour would cost over £4350, against. The principal items are:—Steamer fares £200; railway fares £350; hotel and meals £800; advertising £500; entertaining 0200; secretarial £100; costs of the New Zealand players £500; sundries £IOO. It was recommended that, the profits or losses be pooled 011 the same basis as for the Australian tour, the profits to be divided on the basis of 50 per cent to the Association; also that'no conditions should attach to the guarantees.

Air Salmon said it would moan taking £SOOO before they could look lor any profits.