DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN'., COPYRIGHT. TALL FESCUE GRASS. MENACE TO SETTLERS. AUCKLAND, Jan. 27. The problem of the spread of tall fescue grass is still a serious menace to the welfare of the soldiers at Oi'ongo, Huuruki Plains, particularly at the northern end of the block, where the grass is the only growth oil acres and acres of otherwise good land. Fescue not only spreads rapidly, but is often infected with ergot, which, if it is eaten l>,v cattle, results in gangrene. The car of the Minister of Lands passed one cow with one foot missing, a result-of feeding on fescue. The Minister, who has a. good knowledge of fescue country, inspected the affected area and discussed with farmers methods of getting rid of the pest. Representatives of local bodies asked that fescue on the llauraki Plains should be placed on the schedule of noxious weeds. Air McLeod repied that the matter was rather cue for a poll of the ratepayers than for the granting of authority by local bodies. However, lie was introducing amending legislation in regard to the llauraki Plains, and he would consider the matter.

SOLICITOR COAIMITTED FOR TRIAL. TIMARU, January 20. At the .Magistrate’s Court, Martin Joseph O’Brien, a solicitor pleaded guilty to a charge of committing the forgery of a bill of exchange for £32 8s !!d and was committed to the Supremo Court at Timnru for sentence. Bail was allowed. ALLEGED BIGAMY. ■WELLINGTON, January 28. Joseph James Groonotte, aged thirtysix, was charged in the Magistrate's •Court with bigamy. Tt was alleged that he was married in Johannesburg in 1013. and then as William James Hewer, in London, in 102.1, and also as llcwcr. in New Zealand in the same year. Counsel for accused raised a defence on a technical point, which the Magistrate noted. Accused was committed lor trial. THE ArORATORTUM. AUCKLAND. January 28. A rush of applications by mortgagors under the Alortgagcs Final Extension Act has set in, 10 being lodged today. bringing the total to 57 with throe days to go.

RAILWAY ENGINEER. AUCKLAND. Jan. 23. The lion .1. G. Coates to-night eonlinnod the cablegram regarding the appointment- of Air Lvnde as Thiel Mechanical Engineer. Coates said the appointment was made on the recommendation of tin' recent Railway Commission and Sir John Aspenall, representative of the New Zealand Railways in London. Applications wore called for in New Zealand and abroad. Mr Lyndc will take up his duties immediately on arrival. PAR LI.A AIE NT FURTHER PROROGUED. WELLINGTON, January 23. By the Gazette Extraordinary, issued to-night. Parliament is further prolonged from the nth of Lehman till Thursday. 7t!i Alay, next. RATANA’S POLICY. DANNEYIRKE, Jan. 20.

The Danncvirke Natives were recently paid a visit by an emissary ol Katana- who addressed them on the pinposed covenants and the advantages to be derived from adherence thereto. It is understood tlml a majority of the local Natives refuse to sign the covenant. being apprehensive ol there oeiug ulterior motives behind the movement. Referring to the settlement of the long-standing grievance by constitutional means, they (the majority) fraternally join with the Arawn Tribe in expi n"" loyally to the King. as theii Om-es U-rs .li.'l in' .lays of Pm* n-o in regard to the Great Queen. PETTING FINES. DANNEYIRKE. Jan. The sc.]nel to a police raid on two billiard saloons on December .101 - lasi, took place at the Magistrate's Court- today, wlimi Harry Drinkwator and John Francis Flynn pleaded guilty to using the saloons as common gaming houses. Detective Butler said records lound on Drinkwator’s promises showed him to be operating on a small scale. My mi had been carrying on more extensively. Counsel for accused complained _ that only the small men. with a business, were prosecuted, but this Detect iv< Butler denied, stating that no discrimination was hieing shown. This being the first offence, each accused was lined C2o.

YACHTING. AUCKLAND, .Tan. 29. Anniversary Day was celebrated in fine weather. The principal event was the regatta. The race for the 1-ipton Cup (Jellicoe class) attracted nil the Sanders Cup contestants. The result was:-fmm (Dunedin) 1. Aliiriluku (Southland) -■ Tvonini (Hawke’s Bay) 3, Queen March (Auckland) 4. . „ Ross Cup*:—Tvonini 1, •MunlnUu ... Iron Duke (Auckland) 3. The Speed Boat Championship was won bv Ha trick’s (Wanganui) Afiss Virginia.