DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION. P. AND T. REVENUE. WELLINGTON, January 29. The Postal revenue for tho quarter ended 31st December last amounted to 1*373.073 compared with that for the previous corresponding quarter, .1313,•111. The revenue, for the Telegraph Department for similar periods was 1473,998 and .1337,630 respectively.

WRECKAGE FOUND. WELLINGTON, January 29. While riding on the beach at Homewood. south of Castlepoint, a settler found eight or nine hatch covers, some painted wood, and Oregon pine planks, also a scrub brush marked “U.S.S.” while the beach was strewn with onions and hatch covers. They had not been long in the water. Little importance is attached to the discovery as there has been heavy weather and all shipping has lost time on the journey u]i the coast.

MUSIC IN SCHOOLS. Ml XISTER FAVOUR ABLE. WELLINGTON. January 30. Replying to a deputation from the professional musicians. Sir James Parr spoke strongly in favour of encouraging music in the State Schools. There were some members in the House who were not so keen and he was rather surprised to find that there would he opposition to the measure when it came before the members. Nevertheless it would have Ids support.

The Hon. Mr Parr said he was asking the Education Department to give a lift to two subjects, history and music. already. Steps are being taken for the appointment of a musical specialist, organiser and supervisor to get into touch with teachers. He favoured encouraging the use of gramophones ill schools and a departmental expert was preparing a list of suitable records.

RADIUM DISAPPEARS. DUNEDIN. January 30. The other day on? of the 7 tubes containing toe hospital's radium supply was discovered missing, its value being about £l3O. Knowing that after a cancer patient- bad been treated there is a chance of a tube finding its way into the bucket with the burnt cloths, etc., the officials repaired to the foreshore tip armed with an electroscope, and sure enough, the ashes on the foreshore gave signs of radio activity. The ashes were carefully collected, and after the experts confer it will he decided whether it is worth while to send the ashes to America to have the radium extracted.

CROQUET. CHRISTCHURCH. January 30. The croquet tournament concluded in line weather. In the ladies’ championship final Miss I lesketh (Auckland' beat Mrs E. A. Smith (Christchurch) 29- 0. 2(4—7, 213-9. LABOR CANDIDATES. DUNEDIN. January 30. At a meeting of Otago Labour representatives committee it was decided tc invite R. Semple to contest tho selection ballot for a Dunedin electorate, fourteen nominations have been received for selection for Dunedin parliamentary seals.

THE HA NO IT IK I SWAMP. HELP FOR SETTLERS. WII A IvATANE. January 30. The Minister of Lands met the Rauigitiki settlers last night with a view to solving the problems of the swamp. The Minister intimated that ho was out to assist, the genuine settler, 'nit not the speculator. The unpaid balance of eighty million sterling was added to the Mortgage debt of the Dominion between 1913 and the- mostly represent!!':; uue.u lied ineremcid and did not represent real money, lie recognised, however, that money had been lent by mortgagees to the settlers of Rangitailu for genuine development purposes and this class of mortgago was deserving of

consideration. . The Hon D. McLeod intimated that he would set up a Royal Commission to Investigate Eangitaiki problems and would bring proposals forward tor their solution at the earliest opportunity. The drainage rates due in March would be remitted to the settlers but not to the owners of unoccupied farms.

COAL-ENQUIRY'. GRHYAIOI'TH, January 30. The Coal Enquiry opened its sittings to-day. The admission ol the press was left to the Board’s discretion. It was unanimously agreed that reporters he admitted. Evidence was given by .Sydney A. Fry (Mining Engineer) that the cal rific values of N.Z. coal compared favourably with any in the world. Panama was as good ns AA'eish. Coast coal was suitable for the railways. Rotter results would he obtained i a different system of air supply "ere used on locomotives. Joseph Tavlor gave evidence m favour Brunner coal, quoting a tribute by Ronayne (ex-Mnnager of Railways). Robert Carrol (President of the I - .. RCA.) said he wished to correct an impression that the Association was hostile to the use of New Zealand coal The Association was against the use ol poor quality coal. ' A WOMAN'S DEATH. DUNEDIN. January 39.

At the inquest concerning the death „f Wav Isabel AlcKellar. single, aged |(), who was found dead in her home, a verdict was returned ol sunu.c by mis poisoning while in a state of exHeme depression caused by a long and painful illness. MOTORISTS PROTEST. TARANAKI. January 30. Strong protests were made at a meeting last evening by the -outh T. . m „ki Automobile Association against the continuance of toll gates on ie grounds of double taxation. The unmediate ahsolition of the toll fees urged. _