DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[dy TELECKAPn—run I'RESS association,

BOOKMAKING CHARGE. PALMERSTON N., October 20. At the Magistrtac’s Court when Arthur Chute was charged that he carried on the. business of a bookmaker, Detective Sergeant Quirke said there was no suggestion that defendant was a regular bookmaker. He was a bricklayer hy trade. The defendant was n poor man and the hookmaking charge arose out of betting transactions carried on in connection with the recent boxing contest at Palmerston North and which brought the defendant under the Act. Counsel for the defendant said the defendant conducted a boxing gymnasium. and had discovered a boxer who lie considered was a dark horse. He had hot his chnmes. Olliers had wanted same and the defendant teok tlie money, believing he was simply acting as a stake holder. Unfortunately lie had taken commissions which brought him under the Act. A fine of Co and costs was imposed. POSTAGE BATES. WELLINGTON, October 21. The Postal Conference at Stockholm adopted the Borne Convention postage rates as normal, with leave to add GO or deduct 20 per cent. Thcso rates are now in force in New Zealand. In respect of foreign countries a general reduction is made in land and sea, transit charges, hut this will not ailed carriage across the Pacific which is hy contract. The Dominions were granted a vote in their own right, they having hitherto voted ns one unit The size of postcards and samplo packets has been increased. The next Conference is fixed for London in 1029. A DUNEDIN COM PLAINT. DUXKDIN, October 17. Dunedin merchants and shippers are very indignant owing to the fact that the oversea steamer Orari, which arrived in port this evening, is drawing too much water to permit her coming up to Dunedin to discharge her general cargo from Liverpool. The position was discussed by the Otago Importers and Shippers’ Association this week, when it was decided to forward a letter of protest to the local agents (Messrs Turnbull, .Martin and Co.) II is understood that tlu* reason why the Orari could not come up to Dunedin is liecause she lias been loaded np with Dominion products at northern ports to such an extent that she is now drawing 2llt Gin of water. The Shippers’ Association do not lay the blame on the shoulders of the local agents tor this, but the executive desires that the agents should support the principle in connection with (lie delivery ol all cargoes at Dunedin wharves. It is urged by the executive that whoever is responsible for the movements of oversea steamers gives lint scant consideration to the interests of Dunedin importers.

DR MACKENZIE’S CASE. AUCKLAND, October 20. Justice Nerdman dismissed a motion by Doctor Dundas Mackenzie for leave to take the evidence of witnesses residing abroad, upon commission in comnection with tin' motion to have his name removed from the New Zealand Registrar of Medical Practitioners.

COUNCIL ON STRIKE. MASTER TON. "it. 2”. n - nit nf tbe l'.otoii:b (■uuiicil tors recently being lined Lo cadi in an action brought by tlu* Audit Department for wrongful transfer of loan money from a loan account without authority, a public meeting of protest, convened hy the Chamber of ( oinmercy to-night resolved that the Councillors should not be called upon to pay tlicii lines in the recent Supreme Court action, and that an appeal lie made to the Associated Banks to provide for a set-oil' between debit and credit balances in the local body accounts. R\ tin* Councillors’ action, the ratepayers benefited to the extent of £222, and the Mayor strongly protested against the Audit Department's action in the persecution of one Council and allowing other Councils to go free for a similar offence. It was stated that, as the result of the prosecution, the sitting Council, with the exception of the Mayor and one Councillor, elected at a recent bv-elcction, had decided to resign. The Mayor added that lie would not countenance anything in tho wav of a strike, nor would lie show the white feather.