DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

ny TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. A MORTGAGOR'S DUTY. GISBORNE, March 17. His Honour, Mr Justice -vipers, laid something to say about the propriety ol a farmer remaining on one property when lie found that his returns were insufficient to meet his liabilities. The comment was occasioned by recurring reference to fact that trustees in a deceased estate had abandoned property in regard to which there was litigation, and his .Honour, in endorsing this action, remarked that it was the only honest course to adopt. ‘‘The day that the trustees found they could not pay tlie interest much less the principal.” said his Honour, “the only honest tiling to do, regardless of the wisdom or honesty of any previous actions, was to hand the place over when you can’t pay interest or pay off the principal. It; is not only your right to abandon it, it is your duty.” Continuing, he said that a farmer who could not pay the interest owing on his mortgage, was in just the same position as a man who rented a house and round he could not pay the rent. When he ascertained his position', it was his duty to hand over the key. admit the position and leave it to the landlord to do whatever lie considered best. In the present instance it might not have been convenient for the mort-

gagee to have to repossess the properly at that particular time, hut this did not justify any suggestion that it was improper for the owners to abandon the place. On tlu> contrary, when they wont out of possession because they had no more money, tliev did tile one tiling that was honest. 'They were right. They saw the position. They hadn't really the money and could not pay anv more and said: 'Here’s your farm. I’m oil'.’ He’s doing the supremely right am! only honest thing.” i it isons’ surmcjc. WELLINGTON, March 18. The appointment is announced of Mr Michael Hawkins. Inspector of Prisons and Director of Prison Works, to the position of Controller-General of Prisons. in succession to the late Mr 0. F. Matthews. Mr Hawkins wrs horn at Belfast, Ireland, in 18G’2. and joined the prison service in 1885 as a trades-man-warder. He has the distinction of being the first officer in the prisons service i rise from the ranks to the head oi the Department. During his long association with the prisons •service he has bad control of every one of the main prisons and institutions under the administration of that Department. For many years he was in linage ol the Borstal Institute in Invercargill, and was largely responsible for the big reclamation scheme carried out by prison labour for the Invercargill Borough Council, by which 2500 acres cl lund "as reclaimed from the. sea and converted into magnificent pasture land. LAND BALLOTS. WELLINGTON. March IS. The Minister of Lands proposes in future to deal with all land ballots in the order of preference prescribed by the band Act. Applicants rank first as landless men with one or mole children dependent on them, then landless applicants who have lailed twice at previous ballots, then returned soldiers, and alter them men with military service beyond New Zealand. Of other api'lnanle. laiullvs- |a r on . will have preference. About 22,(1”” acres of (‘row ii land will he ollered ibis mouth. ODDKGLI.OAV.s. W HANGAR FI. March 19. The Grand bodge ol the 1.0.0.1'.. X.Z. elected the following officers:--Grand Master, Mr I). F. Cooper: Deputy Grand Master. W. Simmons; Grand Warden, Mr I). F. iSmillie; Grand Secretary, .Air F. Wilkinson; Grand Treasurer, Mr L. Deans Ritchie; Past Grand Muster, Mr W. J. llooper; Grand Trustees, Bros, Kernnitz, D. Millar, .1. AlcPeak; Representatives to Grand bodge of Australasia. Bros Hooper. Cooper, 0. J. lalbut, A. Valentine, Simmons and G. Adams; Alternative Representative: Bin. Smillie. The Grand Lodge endorsed Hie action of the District n.G.AL’s in discouraging the use. of alcoholic liquors nt gatherings, whore the name of the Order is used, and recommended the strut observance ol th"‘ Sovereign Grand bodge’s law. It was resolved that the present aI ion jewel, now granted to each member who proposed ten new members, he issued only after payment ol six months' contributions. THE PRICE OK BREAD. WELLINGTON, Mm-cli 19. It is understood that owing to the price of bread being higher in certain places, than is considered justified, the Department of Industries and Commerce has been making inquiries as to the reasons for this state of affairs.. As a result of its investigations, further action is likely to he taken. WOOL SALES. NAPIER. March 19.

The final wool sale of the kcproii was held to-night "hen 12,o(ifi hales were offered to lhe usual hunch of buyers. The cataloguics consisted chiefly of late shorn and back country uonloenmallv heavy in condition and fikirf'y. The bidding was fairly spirited as the sale "as continued until well alter midnight. It is impossible to qunle the exact results of the sale, but i would seem that, nil go”' 1 bright, wools came down considerably- a <l |,f T> ctl M' mated at l:*d to 2Jd per lb. Low grade rough and cutty wools were keenly competed for and s, U above expectations, some making _ nniuch ns good bright lots. Prices loi thi s dass wore certainly much higher Much harder hulk lambs’ wool was passed. SYDNEY. March B=.

A .series of wool sates commenced to day with n good demand in all sections, and spirited bidding for superfine lines at prices from par to five per cent, advances on late rates. Greasy Merino sold at. 4-1 Jd.