DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN'., COPYRIGHT. [ SIDELIGHTS OX GAMBLING RATD. AUCKLAND, January. 31. After 21 men had been sent to the police station after the Adriatic Club raid last night, Detective Robinson, who remained on guard, made an interesting discovery. The twenty-second man was found behind the curtain of a window facing Victoria Street. He was quite absorbed in the view, and enjoying the fresh air. In fact, he explained to the detective that “ It was too hot for him inside.” The distance of the verandah below probably deterred him from getting completely into the fresh air. His logs wore hidden by a bench in the billiard room, and only the pulling aside of the curtains revealed his presence. An amusing episode was provided when a reporter was about to go into the building. Some interested spectators on the opposite side of the street whistled warily, and when the reporter crossed over to them, they whispered that the “ police were in.” “ Just putting you wise,” said one kindly man: “ thev have caught quite a lewd Still another touch of humour was provided a little later. A late-eomer tiptoed stealthily into the club, and was considerably startled or appeared so, to meet the pleasant smile of Detective Robinson. In the twinkling of an eye the visitor turned stone deaf, and after a .shouted interrogatory, was allowed to go, a very happy man. f Twenty-two men, mostly Dulmations, were a rested at a club which had the reputation of being a gaining house and on Saturday morning seven were fined Co and the others were remanded to Friday.] BIG BUSINESS. STATE ADVANCES. WELLINGTON, February 2. The Prime Minister to-day issued the following figures relating to the operations of the State Advances Department for the financial year, ended 31st March last, and up to and including ten months of the present financial year ending 31st January. During this period there have been authorised 13.lofl loans for all purposes, amounting to C12.212.A77, whilst no loss a sum than C 10,003.908 has been actually paid over to 10,000 horowors. In making these figures public. Mr Massey said, considering that the months of December and January were a somewhat interrupted period on account oT the Christmas and New Year holidays, and also the annual legal vacation, the busines that lias been done, by the State Advances Department during these months is simply wonderful, flic fact that so large a sum. as over ten millions sterling has actually been paid over the counter in hard cash during the period under review, must have the tendency to ease very greatly any inconvenience which might otherwise result to mortgagors, owing to the termination of the moratorium period later in the year, and especially too, as there will he no relaxation of the Department’s activities during the coming months. “ I think I am fully justified in saying that it is quite evident from what lm" taken place that the Government is leaving no stone unturned to assist those who otherwise would have had trouble with their finances,” said Mr Massey. AUCKLAND GAS COY. AUCKLAND, February 2. The Auckland Gas Company has decided to reduce the price of gas by (id per thousand cubic feet, to take effect from April readings. The years’ profit was 279,036. A dividend of eight per cent, lias been declared. BODY IN TUNNEL. DUNEDIN, February 2. The body of a man named Edmund Hollands, a returned soldier, was found in the Port Chalmers Tunnel this afternoon. The guard heard a hump while the train was passing through the tunnel, and investigation later revealed the body lying clear of the rails. Deceased was married, living with his wife and family at Smith Street, Dunedin. He bad suffered from shell shock, and was out of work for fifteen months. An inquest will he hold to-morrow. GOLF CH AMR rONSII I PS. WELLINGTON, February 2. M.r Sutton, Secretary of the New Zealand Golf Association, has received a cable from A. J. Bolt, of London, advising that the second professional for the Association lias been selected out of many applicants. The man engaged is Lindsay Ross, a member of a well-known golfing family. Roth be and the first man selected, Dean, leave England by the Taiuui on February 19. Their services are available to clubs requiring them from April onwards. ' SUDDEN DEATH. WELLINGTON, February 2. Arichbald Butters, tramway inspector, employed by the City Corporation, died suddenly last night. Deceased was attending an Orange Lodge meeting in South Wellington. BOY MIGRANTS. *> SniKME “A GREAT SUCCESS.” WELLINGTON, January 30. Good work is being done by the New calami Farmers’ Union in settling English public school hoys on farms in the Dominion. Under the scheme of the union, 109 lioys have been brought out from England to date, and a further draft of 13 lads will arrive in New Zealand lext month. A report on the .scheme, which has icon compiled by the union secretary. Colonel Row. states that, on the .vhole, the scheme has been a great mceess. From reports received from armors and from the hoys themselves t would appear that there was every Jrnspect of the majority of the lads iceoming first-class settlers, and many if them would no doubt take up land >n their own account when they felt ■onfidence that they had received sinTiient training. With a view to pronoting thrift, the boys on arrival were •ecommended to open a Post Office Havings Bank account. Colonel Pow was pleased to be able o state that transfers when arranged tad been made to the satisfaction of he hoys. In this connection lie men:ioned that some farmers did not appear to understand the, term “Public School Boy,’’ being, apparently, under the impression that the lioys came Tom schools of the kind known ns primary schools in New Zealand. Continued interest was being shown in the Ivoys’ welfare by the Headmasters’ Association, and more especially by those representatives in Auckland and CTamnru. He felt sure that the Dominion would have no difficulty in obtaining an increased number of public school boy migrants for settlement on farms in New Zealand.