DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

IDT TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. P. AND T. REVENUE. AUCKLAND, Jan. 28. Figures .showing a striking increase in postal revenue for the December quarter, as compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year were quoted to-day by the Hon. G. Contes. Approximately £13,000 of an increase was obtained from postages, and £17.009 from telegrams and tolls. He said those figures may be regarded as very satisfactory, as the revenue in the current year was earned after a reduction had been made in the postage from ltd to Id and in telegrams from Is minimum to 9d. Ordinary telegrams, said the Minister, increased in numbers bv .78,000, urgents by 8,300 and night letters by 29.000. The latter is an increase ol 113 per cent. Telephone tolls increased by 192.800. Hon Mr Coates considers that the revenue estimates for the year will be exceeded. The policy of reductions has been fortified by increased business.

PRISONS’ BOARD. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 23. The sittings of the Prisons’ Board were concluded to-day. Altogether TIG applications were received, probation and discharge being granted in a uuml>oi- of instances, while other rases were held over for future consider;! tion. MAHKXO A DAY LATE. WELLINGTON'. Jail. ;.S. After being delayed 2-1 hours by the southerly gale, the Malicno arrived this morning. Owing to thick weather Captain Norton was unable to make out the land, and decided to remain in tin* straits for the night. The seas were heavy and the passengers bad an unenviable time. .Several cabins **civ flooded, but no material damage was done. Senior-Detective Davis, of the Victorian Police, was a passenger ; nd is going to Auckland to escort Do hirito Melbourne.

ORWELL CREEK HOTEL BURNT. OR EYMOUTH. Jan. 20. The Orwell Creek hotel at Ahaura was destroyed by lire last evening, the insurance being £609, in the Atlas Office. The lintel was owned by the licensee, Mr A. Fonry. Nothing was saved. The hotel was an old land mark, but recently was extensively renovated. MR HOLLAND'S TOUR. WEUI.TXGTOX. Jan. 28. To-night Mr TI. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) addressed a meetfog at Wellington, which is to lie the first in a series of two and a half months’ campaign, during which he will tour New Zealand from the North Cape to the Bluff. Mr Holland spoke at length on the Pensions question, impressing the point that the Parliamentary Labour Party had fought for the various improvements. and that it looks forward to

the consolidation of all the pensions into one Invalidity and Old Age Pension. The housing problem was becoming a grave danger, said Mr Holland. H seemed that it would require a Labour Government to tackle it properly. Referring to the Geneva Peace Protocol, lie contended that the people of New Zealand should have a voice in International affairs.

Next election, said Mr Holland, would he tlie country’s most important political fight, and lie hoped for Hie unity essential to success. If', Ik* added, Labour got. the opportunity of taking the Treasury benches instead of allowing the chance to slip, it would take office, and go ahead with ils legislation till defeated. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to Mr Holland.

DAYLIGHT EXPRESS. AUCKLAND. January 23. Regarding a daylight express between Auckland and 'Wellington, Hon. J. G. Coates said to-day that the Transport Branch of the Railways was working ~-it a servii e whi'-h would be submitted to liim as soon as it was ready. He was <|Uilo (m- • :>. r*--1 to giv** such a Main I. trial, ami if til** Ira llic pi"' rd il was n-qui-"-I. la- would persist with ii ,-illhoiigli. in I.is opinion, ilio indentions for a daylight service were not promising. CROQUET. CHRISTCHURCH, fail. 28.

'The croquet championship was continued in line weather though the greens are soft. , Doubles championship (scmi-finaO.-Miss Heskett and 11. A. Venn heat Mrs Midd.in and F. G. Chandlers 26-22. Ladies’ championship (2nd. round). - Mrs F. A. Smith heat Mrs TifTen Third round.— 1 leskith (Auckland) Teat Mrs Watkins (Hastings) 26-23; Mrs E. V Smith heat Yfrs Gandirill 26-2. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 29. The croquet champ-ionships were concluded to-day in sunny weather. Handicap singles, final ol Sec. A.— Mrs E. A. Johnson (Sumner) J. Williams 26—4. Ladies’ championship, final ot 2nd. draw.—Mrs E. A. Smith (United Club) lie at Airs Maddrenn 26—23.

HOTEL BURNT. BLENHEIM. January 2.4 Shaw’s Hotel at Remviektown, a two storey wooden building, erected al out eighteen years ago, was completely destroyed by lire early this morning. The efforts of a bucket brigade saved shops and buildings ajoining. hut many were scorched. Insurances are stated to he a thousand on the Imiling and 2509 on the furniture and stock. 'J lie offices are unavailable. Ihe licensee, W. C. Hi id has been in the hotel for about four veins. A. AND P. SHOW. DANNEYIRKE, January 29. The Dannevirke A. and P. Association to-day decided to hold the annual show on the dates originally fixed. February 11 th and 12th.