DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TEIiEORAPH PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON HOSPITAL HOARD. WELLINGTON, April 9. A special meeting of the Wellhigloi Hospital Hoard tliis morning passet estimates for the year, and asked tin local bodies for sums amounting U C 01,290, compared with £'.‘18,900 lasl year. The ordinary expenditure, l’oi the coming year is estimated al £129,890, and the capital expenditure at £99,009. The increased expenditure is accounted for by additional accommodation, better conditions and increased mijuber of patients. ulMf were treated Inst year as in-patients, an increase of 1000, as compared with the year ending March, 1920. SUNDAY TRAINS. CHRISTCHURCH, April 8. In reply to a communication from the Christchurch Presbytery, expressing regret at the new policy in respect to the running of excursion trains on ■Sundays, lion Air Contes said that the Railway Deaprtment did not encourage any extension of Sunday trains, hut, where it, was clearly shown that there are large numbers of people who desire to travel on Sundays the Department had then to recognise its obligation as an institution owning the means of transport. PRESBYTERY OBJECTS. CHRISTCHURCH, April 9. The Presbytery carried the following motion : •‘That this Presbytery respectfully draws the attention of the .Minister of Internal Affairs to the fact that the granting of licenses for the holding of public lotteries on a large scale is an innovation that is becoming all too (ommon, and one. calculated to lower the moral tone of the community, it considers live practice virtually nullifies the object of tlie Statute passed to limit Ibis lorm tit gambling.” MR I.YSNAR’S CHARGES. WELLINGTON, April 9. Ai the inquiry re Yesteys purchase, Mr I), domes added that the Aleut Hoard was of the opinion that it had cverv fact of value to enable it to give a decision regarding the sale <>l the meat works to Yesteys. Allien Mr l.ysnar discussed the matter wilh hit-;., lie told .Mr l.ysnar lhat the Board was not prepared to take any steps .to prevent the Bank from realising on its security. Mr l.ysnar then said that if the Board refused to consent, to the sale, the Bank had agreed to carry the company oil. He doubted Ibis statement, and Mr l.ysnar repeated it. Witness also pointed out that M r l.ysnar himself had tried to sell the works to A’cstev-s. and he had told .All* l.ysnar that it was an impossible position for him to ask the Hoard to refuse what he himself had previously consented io. AVltness made an oliicial statement on the matter to the press on October ,1, |<»_»;}. because capital was being made out ol it. and because ol the altitude of the public, u ho were misinformed. TOT A LISATOR PERMITS. AH NIST ICR'S STATHAI EXT. WELLINGTON. April 7. In reference In Hie telegram from ihe secretary to the Raring 1 oiilereiiec the lion R. E. Bollard. Minister of Internal All‘airs, said that the (Liming Act of 11)0-< made it clear that the responsibility for granting tolalisalor licenses was one which had to lie undertaken bv the Minister. and in granting a loan ol the licenses mentioned In- was merely carrying out the statulorv authority which the Act gave hint. "T|„. inference in the telegram from the secretary.” the Minister added, "is that 1 had broken the law in granting i, loan of these permits. That is clearly noi so. If is tile function ol the Racing Conference to allocate dates for race meetings, in which function 1 have in no way interefered, nor do L intend to do so. 1 cannot grant to any noil-statutory body the powers which the Act gives, and, in the decision come to regarding licenses, I have not- (on travelled the law in any way. The Rules ol Racing were formed by t| u . New Zealand racing authorities lor the internal working of racing clubs and cannot, of course, overrule Ihe Statute.

l, f may say that oil all occasions, I seek advice and suggestions <>i the

Having Conference on all matters connected with racing, and I mu-t acknowledge that. I have received valuable assistance, hut I certainly cannot delegate to the conference powers which I must exercise under l lie (turning Act.

RIVAL codes. DUN Ml)IN. April 8. The .Mayer endeavoured to arrange ibis morning a. eon fere nee, between the representatives cf the Otago Rugby Union and the Otago jhighy Lca«w to make some arrangement with res’ e: t to the allocation of Jilaying areas to those bodies, hut his efforts proved abortive. The representatives of each side did appear at the down Hall, hut those from the Rugby Union declined to confer. The Reserves Committee of the Council has made certain recommendation-; which will come before a meeting of the City Council on Wednesday night, \\ Idle the League contends it has not been fairly treated, the Union considers that- as it has not sufficient grounds now for its players, it should not be deprived of any which it has used i the past. There is sure to he some discussion on the matter at the meeting of the Council, it being understood tha a motion will ho tabled to give tlio League more grounds than have boon recommended by the committee.

SHIR FIR UMAX’S FATAL DIVE AUCKLAND. April 8

A ship’s fireman, not yet identified dived into the harbour troni the platform of an electric crane at the Queen s Wharf. A complaint had been made that lie had been hindering the waterside workers on one of the vessels at the wharf. He was warned to desist. Apparently he, was not under th influence of liquor, but had been acting strangely. lie went away, but returned later, when lie mounted one of the cranes. He called out to those on the wharf. Then he dived forty feet into the harbour. Apparently the dive winded him, lor lie disappeared, and was drowned. The body has not been recovered vet.