DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1924, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

UY TELEGRAPH —PKKSS ASSN., COPYRIGHT,

OIL OPERATIONS

NEW ’PLYMOUTH, July 3.

Regarding the flotation of a company to work the Taranaki oilfields, the scene of the operations is about eleven miles from Inglewood where and geological surveys huve been made od. 'lliiee experts from America have been on tile ground for some weeks and geological surveys have been mde and the ground cleared for tho commencement of boring. Jt is also understood that alter work is in full swing in this district operations will be recommended at Moturoa, the scene of ))ast disappointments. The most up-to-date machinery will be employed, all of which is coming from America and the lirst of the plant is expected in time to commence chilling in August. The. report of Dr. Clapp has not been made available to the public but it is understood to declare that the field promises to give the richest oil in payable quantities. All the capital of half a million was raised in Australia except £50,000 in New Zealand.

SITTING AT INVERCARGILL

INVERCARGILL, July I

The Mental Defectives Commission held a meeting in Invercargill yesterday afternoon, when some very interesting evidence was given by Mr Michael Hawkins, Inspector of Prisons and Superintendent of the Borstal Institution, as to his experiences extending over fifty years with such eases in the prisons of the Dominion. Witness expressed the opinion that much of (lie trouble regarding sexual matters was due to the lack of proper appreciation of the responsibilities devolving upon the public and the parents and to this failure he attributed much of the increase in sexual crime which latterly had become increasingly apparent. Witness stated that lie had personally never seen a complete cure in the ease of a real sexual pervert, and years of imprisonment had failed to do any good. Where persons had become a menace to society, segregation was necessary in special institutions, so that they could do no further harm.

The Commission returns to Dunedin by Saturday morning's train and thence to Christchurch prior to a final sitting in Wellington to prepare its report.

TAX DEPARTMENTS’ CAMPAIGN

WELLINGTON, July 5

The Tax Department has entered on a campaign against persons who neglect to furnish tax returns. It is stated that last year 12,500 default assessments had to be made, thus throwing :iu enormous amount ot work on to the department and causing great expense. Penalties varying from £2 to £8 were indicted on seven persons. One of these, il appeared, would not have had to pay lax had he sent in a return, but he was lined all the same as a lesson.

EDUCATIONAL EXPERT TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND. WELLINGTON, July 5. Professor John Adams Mcritus, has been invited by the Government to visit the University colleges here. Jlis reputation as an educational expert and a specialist is world wide, lie will arrive this month and will later visit Australia.

building OPERATIONS WELLIN' G TON. Ju'lv 4. A now method of residential building is going on at a moderate pace in ■Wellington, though the speculative builder has adopted a cautious variation on his former methods. Instead of building homes completely ‘on spec’ it is reported that '‘building to order” has taken its place to a largo extent, particularly itt the eastern suburbs. The house is not built and offered to any man who may come along. The section is there, and the man who will biulil to order says to his prospective ••Here is a place (standing on another section) which J will repeat for you in every detail, except that you may choose your own wallpapers, mantels anil so on. for such and such. You put down such and such a deposit, and wv will arrange finance on ridiculously easy terms.” ‘ Tlius building operations do not continence till tlio deal is signed up. There were fifty-eight jeimits issued for new dwellings during .May.

PORETRY CHAMPIONS'. BLKXHELM. July .7. Five New- Zealand Cliampion.shi]'s were decided at the record Marlborough Poultry Show. All came to Blenlieim breeders. Black Orpington Fancy. J. A. Stamp; Orpington I’tility, \Y. H. C'liing; Tumbler Pigeons. C .Martin; Old English Game Bantams. K. D. Barry; Racing Homers. Li mislay Pat elicit.