DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS. WELLINGTON, February 12. The appointment of a Professor in Architecture at Auckland University was referred to with gratification by Air W. AI. Page, president of the Institute of Architects, at the general meeting to-day.-Me heartily congratulated the Council on the step it had taken. It marked the beginning of a new era, and would have a very far-reaching and beneficial effect, especially if the appointee were the type of man lie was given to understand he was. -Not only would it have a sti mu lit ting effect with regard tii architecture, hut it would also tends to a better conception of Art generally, and could not fail to -he of inestimable benefit to the whole country.

Air Page stressed the importance of education and the establishment of better relations between the public and architects. They should not fear, hut welocme a more exacting public, which would he an enormous stimulus to architecture. He was unable to understand why buildings should not he criticised as were paintings, literature and the drama, lie would welcome the publication of the truth about buildings. He referred to the active interest being taken in architecture by Oxford (iniversify and declared that the educational body which failed to recognise the importance of the subject was failing in respect of one importI ant branch of education. Efforts should he made to raise the standard and the general understanding of architecture, not only amongst architects, but also amongst the people. PRICES OF COAL AND GAS. AUCKLAND FIGURES. AUCKLAND, February 12. An interesting table of comparison of prices of coal delivered to the Aucklaiu] gasworks, together with prices charged Tor gas, during the past twelve years, was laid before members of the New Zealand Gas Institute by the president, Air J. Lowe. This showed that in 1913 the cost of coal was 22s o:|d per ton, the price per 1000 cubic loot of gas being Is 3d. The latter was . declared to be the lowest charge in the southern hemisphere. From 191 I onward a steady increase was recorded until 1921, when the peak price of .V2s per ton for coal and 8s (id per 1000 cubic feet of gas was reached, representing increases of 132 per cent and 100 per cent respectively over 1913 prices. Since then there had been a steady decrease, the cost of coal last year being 12s !)<! per toil and the prices of gas 7 s (id per 100011. T he tact that gas prices were higher in New Zealand than in Great Britain was explained hv various local circumstances, including greater mileage ol mains in proportion to output, increased cost of material due to Height and ( tisloms tariff, and higher rates of wages. The high rate of income tax was also a ■contributing factor, gas companies having to pay the highest graduated rale upon their net receipts should these exceed 000:10 per annum. The gas industry also had to lace competition from iiower hoards supplied with electricity from the State h.vdro-elce-lricity works. The Government was spending huge sums on these schemes and subsidising them in various ways. They were required to pay ueithci income tax nor local rates, and deficits were made good Irom the gcncial re- ( venue of the State.

EXIT THE BAR.MAID. WELLINGTON, February 13. Tlie Department of Labour, whose duty it is to see Licit barmaids are registered, recently asked the Police Doparment. to take a census ol h.uniaids throughout the Dominion. This census showed that out of tlie 1289 ’barmaids 'who were registered when the Act. came into -operation, ill 1911. there are now 220 registered barmaids working in bars. A few may have liec-n absent at the time of the census, hut they would not increase the number to any great extent. It was also found during the taking „f the census, that there was only one woman employed in a bar who was not in possession of a registered certificate. This census shows that the employment of women in bars has been enormously reduced since 1911.

A FIRE. ASI I BURTON. February 14. \r lire at 4 a.m. destroyed a sited at Thomas .Miller’s Cordial factory, Dobson Street, together with a motor truck. There are suspicious circumstances as the employees when leaving work at live yesterday left the wagon nonilist the factory wall, whereas an early arrival at the lire found it aoainst the shed wall, twenty feet away, removed it to safety. Insurances on truck are £2OO.

SUDDEN DEATH. GREYMOUTH, Feb. M \ sudden death occurred aft the Borough Pumping Statical Inst evening when Mr Peter McKay, Assistant pumping Engineer, passed away, evidently from heart failure, shortly bolore nine o’clock. At 7 pm. he had pumped the reservoir full, and had stopped the engines, and was preparing to proceed to bis home in Tainui Street when ho took ill, and rang the bouse ot Mr -McQueen, Pumping Engineer to say lie was feeling unwell. In her husband's absence, Mrs McQueen went to tjio Pumping Station, and deceased said be’ felt ill, hut be did not wish doctor to be sent for. Mrs McQueen summoned medical aid, however, but I Ho- time Dr McKay arrived, the sufferer bad expired. Deceased, who hi ,d been engaged over two years at the station, formerly bail charge of the Millerton mine machinery. Ke was r‘> vears of age. and was a native of Ballarat, Victoria.. Mr -McKay was a man of line character, and was much esteemed by all who knew him. H« leaves a widow and a son (residing at Napier), and a daughter. Mrs McKay being proprietress of a confectionery business in Tainui Street. Tn view o the circumstances, it is unlikely th.-t an inquest will be necessary.

CHRISTCHURCH MAYOR ALT') . CHRISTCHURCH. February 1-1. After repeated adjournments the Christchurch Citizens Association last evening selected Mr J. A. Flesher. he present mayor, as their nominee tor mayoralty. ... , It is now probable that there will be four candidates in the field including Mr I V Bear.land, who alleges the Citizens’ Association 'has broken its promise to support him.