DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIOHT. TAR IFF PREFER ENCE. WELLINGTON, Feb. IC. With reference to the notifications of the Government’s intention of modifying the conditions under which imported goods were permitted to cntoi the country under the British preferential tariff. Sir Francis Bell (Acting Minister for Customs) has issued the following statement:

“The question ns to the conditions governing tariff preference has been, for a. considerable time receiving the continuous attention of the New Zealand Government. It. will he remembered that at the end of September last, it was announced in Parliament that Australia, and New Zealand had decided to adopt the requirement o! 75 per cent., of British material and also for British labour as the basis o preference, instead of existing 25 per cent basis. It ha.s since been announced in the press that the Government has received a communication fr Canada, suggesting that a 50 |:c:r cent, basis should he accepted. Strong representations to a similar effect have reached the Government from other quarters. In view of the important of tlie mutter, and of the fact that a discussion with the •vustrnlian Government i.s still proceeding, it has been decide to postpone until October Ist., 1925, the date upon which the amended conditions to ha decided upon shall take effect.

FINE OF £250. INVERCARGILL, Fob. 16. As a sequel to it police raid several days ago, William Sawers appearc I at the Magistrate’s Court to-cla.v, charged with using his house as a common gaming house, and. also with carrying on the business of a bookmaker. He pleaded guilty. Detective Carroll said that since: a previous conviction fifteen months ego, the' accused apparently had done nothing else. On the clay of the raid, Dunedin Cup day, betting papers were seized of -KM transactions, including Cl doubles, the -entered receipts ’-ing £539 10s. Another detective took the ’phone and recorded n further £SO. Hie detective asked for a maximum line, -,s there were others behind the accused. For the accused Mr Russell stated that the police seemed to Ik* making a scapegoat of him. and it was common knowledge that: others were engage!. Accused was willing to give up hookmaking for good. The Magistrate. Air Crtiic-kslninks, said those hacking the accused would escape if lie was given imprisonment, while a fine would reaeli them, and i c imposed a fine of C 250.

LTCHTNI.V (’USE. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 17. The'New Zealand Trotting Association lias upheld (’. S. Smith’s appeal in tlie Light ilia’ ease. Smith appealed on the ground that Liglitnin’ was ineligible* at the meeting of the Metropolitan Trotting Club. Tin's afternoon it was resolved I hat Smith's appeal against l.ightnin’ winner of the Linwood Handicap, having been upheld, the Club nay the second, third and fourth horses the stake's, aid that, the* dividend he paid out in cordanee* with Ihe rule's. It was resolved further that l.igii!uiir having won and been distanced, the Club pay the owner, .). R. McKenzie tin* sum of £199. and refund in full the amounts invested on her, £961 10 s.

RKY. ,J. ,1. NORTH’S RKG RETS. CHRISTCHURCH, February IT". In a discussion on local housing conditions at the Christchurch Council of Christian Congregations the Rev .1. .f. North said he thought it a thousand [)ities that the I’mice of Wales did not accept the invitation of a Lit hour member at Home to visit the slums of Glasgow. The force and power of the* British Royal House could he exerted to set the eonununity in a very righteous condition ul fury at the housing conditions in the cities. harbour loan secured. GISBORNE. February 17. The Harbour Board lias completed an arrangement with the A.M.I’. Society for a loan of a quarter of a million, the second instalment of the authorised three quarters of a million for harbour works. The money will he paid at Gisborne as required, at interest of 5J per cent.

VALUELESS CHEQUES. GISBORNE. February 17. A. J. O’Brien was before the Court this morning charged with obtaining six bottles of champagne and CIS 10s in money from a country hotel-keeper |,v means of a valueless cheque. The police stated that further charges d _ a similar nature, including one at Hamilton were involved. Accused was remanded lor a week. A FATAL FIRE. STRATFORD, February 17. A four roomed house on Opurake - read was destroyed by lire about i.ud„i„l,t. When the lire had subsided human remains which are held to bo those of Herniaii Ringer, an old man who lmd lived alone oil the property for forty-live years, were found Ibe < lire was preceded by a load explosion. The police are investigating to discover if this has any connection. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER IN TROUBLE. PALMERSTON X., Eel.. H • At the Magistrate’s Court, a Commercial traveller, Andrew Geoi„ Smart, was convicted and ordeicd come up for sentence on two ' 'urges involving theft of suit cases and the contents at Woodville on Uth. n.st Counsel for accused said the latter had given way to drink the day ot the theft, and was not aware of what he was lining. CHINAMEN FINED. AUCKLAND, Feb. '7 The seven Chinese arrested in the warning house raid on Sunday night were brought before the Police Court Cheung Oak pleaded guilty to keeping a common gaining house and was lined £lO. Harry Wong, described as a professional gambler, was tilled £5. Fines of £2 each were imposed on two others, while one man was convicted and one discharged. A FIRE. PAH lATUA. February 17. By a lire shortly after one this morning the premises and contents were destroyed of George Oxley (Jeweller). S H. Seiwyn Dane (Chemist and Optician), McCormick mid Pilkington (Cycle agents). The block was owned by Oxley. Insurances are Oxley cn buildings and stock £2250 and £IOOO in New Zealand: Dawe £575 on building am! £250 on stock; McCormick and Pilkington £SOO. Thirteen motor cycles and side ears were destroyed. The fire bad a very strong bold when discovered. CIVIL ENGINEERS. CHRISTCHURCH. February 17. The annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers began at Christchurch this morning Mr Dudley Dobson presiding. Delegates were welcomed by the mayor and by Professor Powell of Canterbury Col-