DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PItR press association*. SCOUT .MOVEMENT. WELLINGTON, May 23. Tire annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand section of the Boy Scouts’ Association was held to-day. Brigadier-General Andrew, honorary Chief Scout and Commissioner, presiding.

The Mayor, Mr R. A. Wright, on behalf of the city, welcomed the dele-

£X;iU*s, and Air L. At. Isitt, ALP., returned thanks to tbe .Mayor. He said that financial difficulties were tbe chief troubles of the Association. Scoutmasters were wanted who were prepared to make sacrifices of their time to help the boys along. The annual report showed that thirty-six new troops bad been formed during the year and that the increase in membership was estimated at Iff?”. The Sen Scout movement had also progressed in eleven centres, and there was a membership of 310. The year closed with a credit balance of Cl 12. The sum of Coll'd had been placed lo the reserve account. Next year the Government was to make a grant of Cl 00.

EXPORT OF FRUIT. DUNEDIN, May 23 Alter delay due to the lailway strike tbe O'taki was despatched v.illi the final shipment of Otago apples, comprising I-1.07S cases, ol which 2203 cn-es are lor Monte Video, and 12,701 cases for London. This makes a grand total for tbe season of 10,111 cases oT staples and nears for Alonto Video and Loudon, and some L‘oo eases for Honolulu. It was Imped to* top 30,000 eases, but owing to adverse weather :ondiliuiis this was not possible. Encouraged by the satisfactory results of iasl year’s experiment with a small line of pears, growers this war have sent a total ol SGI crates for which a good market is assured.

AN EMBARRASSING QUESTION. WELLINGTON, .May 23 A somewhat embarrassing, yet amusing situation arose at ihe Alagisii ale’s Court to-dav when a witness for the prosecution in a case against a well-known taxi driver was asked a question regarding defendant's occupation eighteen years ago. "He was in business in ( bristi biirc'n in 100'* when I first knew him,” witness had told the Court.

The .Magistrate (.Mr S. Rage): And what was his business;•* Witness looked towards Hie Bench and hesitated, turned to defendant for inspiration and then, placing all bis egg. in one basket, appealed to him for guidance. ‘’Shall I tell them, Mat!'” lie asked.

A loud outburst of laughter followed, an,! it increased when witness repealed It is query. "ll.' was a bookmaker, sir,” explained tbe witness when the decorum of the Court bail been restored. Hi- Worship appreeiated the inke and smilingly remarked that it had not been bis intention to elicit Hint iniormalioii. (Renewed laughter). "Rut. be lias ivf(>rm"d sim-e.” interposed Mr C. A. L. Treadwell, amidst lari her laughter

N 'illa r proM'c tii inn nor defence dwelt on the suhiect. further.