DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEr.nAPH— ASSN., COPYRIGHT. LAND HOARD RESIGNS. GISBORNE, May 3. In consequenco of the refusal of the Minister of Lands to support the rcrommeinlation with regard to the settlers on the Ardkeon and Ohuka soldier settlements, near AVair'on, the Gisborne Land Board, consisting of Messrs A. •J. Cameron, J. 11. Reid, R. 11. Wit-k----stced, and G. C'. Donovan, to-day telegraphed their resignations to Wellington.

When the Board met this morning, a letter from the Minister was considered. The letter said that in view of the present policy, it was not desirable to take drastic action in the case of settlers who were in arrears. The matter was dealt with in commi ttee, and on resumption in open meeting the following resolution was carried:—“As the Board’s recommendations in the matter do not meet with the approval of the Minister, and t-lic Minister has failed to back up tho Board after promising to do so, the unofficial members of the Board decide to tender their resignations. The Board directs the resolution to be telegraphed to the Minister at once.”

DUNEI)IN EXIIIBITJOX. DUNEDIN, May 8. This last week or so has seen some preliminary evidence of material progress in tho lay-out of tho exhibition grounds. l-'or months past work has been going on in connexion with the formation of a waterway down the west side of the grounds. At present attention is being devoted to laying down the sports arena. Other work now under way is the levelling off of the site for the main exhibit building and a contract has been let for this work. The tenders for the buildings close on the ‘2Bth inst., by which time the site will be ready for building, and the railway siding for bringing material on to the site will he laid down.

LABOUR PARTY’S LAND POLICY. MASTERTON, May 8s All- 11. E. Holland, M.P., leader of the Labour Party, addressed a large public meeting hero to-night, propounding Labour’s land and financial policy, stressing as the two planks of the platform on the land question, the conservation of national endowment and the security of tenure, giving the farmer full benefit of working his run.

Tho remainder of the address was on the lines of those at recent meetings. LAUNCH ON EIRE. AUCKLAND, May It). The motor launch Tamuri was destroyed by lire off Stanley Point early this morning, the engine having backfired, and set alight a leakage of benzine. The owner of the launch, Athol Watson, clinging to the gunwhale as the launch was burning furiously, was rescued, having escaped injury by jumping into the water. As.it was impossible, to extinguish the Ha mes the launch was scuttled.

WHOLESALE TMEETS. DUNEDIN. .May 9

Petty thieving from boats has in tho past been confined to one or two cases, but the latest act of wanton mischief, in which seventeen motor boats have been broken into and damaged, lias been revealed. '1 lie boat harbour, in the vicinity of the cement works, has been the scene of activity on the part of some person or persons, who have carried out a wholesale expedition of plundering and theft, which lias never been equalled in the history of boating in Otago.

The work of destruction has evidently been carried out between Tuesday last and tu-dav. Vito same method of yai ning entry bus fi.-on used in each bjat. It llie door ctitihl not he forced, (lie skylight wa-. slim died. .Search of the boats was made by Detective .Kcrquliarsou and Air C. W. Smistrimi this evening, but little could be reported owing to the darkness, and the fact that the owners of the limits were not present to ascertain their losses. It is reported, however, that none of the engines ol the boats have tho appearance of having been interfered with. The marauders did not coniine tln-ir work of destruction to the boats, as live or six of the 14-looter boat sheds were broken into. In one ease a great deal of material—sails, oars, fittings, mid rowloeks—were taken. A dinghy was found adrift, and is thought to have been used to convey the marauders to the various limits. One boat-owner stated that there was about £lO,OOll worth of property in the boat lifubour.