DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGKArn—PER I'ItESS ASSOCIATION. A COOK’S CLAIM. WELLINGTON, .May 20. In the ease where the Orongorongo Tunnelling Syndicate, of which Air Robert Semple was head, was sued by Naisbitt and his wife for an amount alleged to have been withheld front plaintiffs, who were cooks at the camp, judgment was given for defendants, the .Magistrate saying that plaintiff's had been treated most liberally. The Naisbitts claimed L'lt for 21 weeks at double rate of pay. Air Semple said that tbe man and his wife bad secured in n year pay ami food amounting to £7(!(). Witnesses’ expenses were given against plaintiffs.

ARSON CHARGE. AUCKLAND, Alay 20. As a sequel to the destruction by tire of a grocery story at Northcnte. on Alanh 23rd, Thomas Heaton, the owner and occupier, appeared at the Polite Court on charges of having wilfully set fire to the premises.

The lire brigade captain said three files had occurred in the shop since December. Two occurred on successive nights. One apparently started in a box filled with straw, and the other in a loft close to the same spot. An net militant gave evidence tlial accused had stated that lie assigned his estate on April 2nd for investigation. The Looks showed liabilities amounting to £2241. seeuiities covering £lO2l. and assets Comprising hook debts and insurance claims) £1722. As matters turned out the fire did not improve accused's position. ATariou Elizabeth C'headle said she spoke to accused about Inlying the business. He said the bailiff was in the premises demanding payment of £2:l, anil asked her not lo contradict him in certain statements lie would make. She alleged that he said he would give L'2s to anyone burning the shop down, ai d that lie lifted a sack, showing Hud the floor was saturated with benzine, lie also showed a box full of shavings saturated with benzine.

Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial. Bail was fixed at £30(1. ARRIVAL OF FALK IN AUCKLAND. Alay 2d. Billiard enthusiasts will he intercleil in the arrival in Auckland by the Alakura this morning of ('. Ealitiner. the well-known English hiilinrdist. who lias just e impleted a playing tour of Canada. Falkiner hopes to play in Auckland and oilier towns < I the Dominion. after winch he will proceed to Australia and endeavour to arrange matches with I,indrum. Gray, or any of the leading players in the Cuinmonw call In

SOUND El NANCE. AUCKLAND. Alay 20 Mr R. \Y. Dalton, Senior British Trade Commissioner in Au.-lralia, is a through passenger by the Muklira, lie said lie supposed New Zealand showed a greater individual buying power than any oilier country in the world. The remark was anronos ol British trade with the overseas Dominions. At Home, lie said ll.e dvi> lopuu ::! of trade with the Dominions had Leer slow and gradual: still, there was a little imnrovemonl. lie noticed a greater ten lem-y m hok lor new miu-kcis im.l a Ile-ire to fn-lcr I rude with the Dominions.

Air Dalton out New Zealand's strength down to llie lael that il> <•( onoiiiie ha-i- was sound. The cr.noli".- was mil developing it- puhlii utilities ahead of its strength. There were possibilities in the development ol New Zealand s trade with Canada. 'I h" grading ol New Zealand but ter was -<i gi od. and ifs uniformity so i mum- n nl. I bat it found a market for th.t rea-ou apart I no.i Its excellent finality.

D's.M W.'l-S AWARDED, t !|;:!-;T'( IH'IU 11. .May 27. A | ill - l-hin.-.-iii • ( ourt. t !'■■ jury awarded C-ll l damages in Erie Waite! pi... :• •. c-.iu::e:isi;tio!i In- iiiiuries he re: eivc-il in a motor a (-. ideal on Sepi: aih.-r I'. S. (pie < (aimed L’2221 !Is I’d from tbe Ih; i- tebureb T il.' Cl- r-i.-i!. !!e alleged he was riding !i. in,'lor ; yrle and -ideear s c.ltli along !..:rhadie. Hl:eet at ahollt 2 a.iii., and that when In' came to Bar •.."does Sired bridge, he laid Io swerve to avoid an inihglited harrier. Ilis machiu ■ overturned, and lie liaetured his lep;. Leave wa- given In defendant to move lo -;-i a ide ike judgment mi a non-ait point. A IMS'QF A 1.l F! ED HORSE. (TIRISTC'IfriU !i, .May 27.

The sale of wh.it, in a spoiling phrase, T- down a-, a •■ringer" provid ed the basis of a claim for damages, heard in the Al.-igi-l rate's Cnti't foday. I'rne-t Jane. -. Smith, I'a.rm.'r. of ( hri'tchrri !i. claimed '..‘7d damages from the New /calami 'Trolling A--so-eietion ii’i lhe ground.: that he wa.; induced to purchase the horse Nature’,, Gentleman, hv a premise that the life disqualification o/i the horse would he rc’m.vcd. and that Mich undertaking had ici he"!, carried out. NO SERIOUS DA.MAGE AT TIIAMK- , Til A AIKS. .May 27. Heavy rain, totalling 1.07 inches for ‘M heu'-s, i itis('(| a (oiisiderahle quaiitit .- of i!o-:T water--, Imi nothing fur liter '.!' a serious nature at Thames. There are several washouts on the railway I'oe at Omahu. Ilikutai and Paeroa. resulling in iiu train servin' Iteing run to-day.