DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TJELEQRAPH-—PER TRESS ASSOCIATION,

AN APPOINTMENT.

WELLINGTON, April 15. 1 ho Hon J. G. Coates announces that -Mr S. Kergusson, at present Inspecting Officer in the Public Works Department, lias been appointed to carry out the duties of 1 rude and Produce Officer at London. A EIRE, BLENHEIM, Aprijl 10. The factory of A. J. Bushman and Sons, contractors at Picton, was gutted by lire at 11.20 last night. Todd and Co’s offices and a motor garage adjoining were threatened hut escaped with broken windows, an excellent water supply enabling the Brigade to prevent the outbreak from spreading. The destroyed building was owned by Chartor estate. liusli and Sons will lie heavy losers ns the factory contained modern machinery. Insurances are unavailable.

THEFT OF FURNITURE. AUCKLAND, April lli. George Leo Gussev who stole furniture valued at £SO from the Church of the Assembly of God and got married on the proceeds of its sale for C 7 10,s was admitted to five years probation, and was ordered to make restitution ol CIJ 10s. Mr Boynton S.M., said the elders of the Church were anxious lo give Gussev a chance and added, “ I think Gussey needs very careful watching.” GOV ERXOR-G EX Elf A L WELCOMED. AUCKLAND, April 15. “We are proud to welcome you to our Presbytery, not only as GovernorGeneral of the Dominion, and as a, distinguished soldier, hut also as a brother elder of the Church of Scotland,” concluded the Moderator, the Rev. G. W. Lochore. in extending a welcome to the Governor-General. Sir Charles Fergn.sson, at the Auckland Presbytery last evening. His .Excellency rose amid applause, and observed that he was welcomed into wliat was to him the fayiiliar atmosphere of a presbytery. “My family has been intimate with the work of the Church of Scotland for generations,” said his Excellency. “My father was an elder for thirty six years, and my grandfather and great-grand-father were closely allic d with ecclesiastical movements for an even longer 1 imo.” Sir Charles then referred to his cousin, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, who had been identified with movements tor Church union for fifty years. He had attended meetings of the General Assembly for fifty-two years, and had recently presented his thirty-second annual report as governor ol Hie Aged and Infirm Administration Fund. After reviewing recent developments towards the union of the churches, his Excellency said that at the present time, it was essential that there should he moderation in religious views. It was of vital importance to the breaking down of the distrust existing between individuals and sections ol the community.. This was the only way in which present-day problems could he solved. The churches should set an example of broad-minded toleration. All were advancing by different methods, but with a common aim. NEW HOSPITAL OPENED. TAUMARUNUr. April 15. A now hospital, erected overlooking Taiimariiuui. was officially onciicd today by Mr K. Lang.st.one, M.P., in the unavoidable absence of Sir Maui l’olnare. Minister of Health. The new building occupies a cnniniamling position overlooking the town, and lias been erected and furnished at a cost of (.'52,090. The hospital is equipped with the most modern appliances obtainable, and is considered one of the most, up-to-date institutions in the Dominion. The wards will ac-

commodate lifly-two beds, and the building is so constructed that, additional wards can he added when necessary. There was a large attendance at the opening ceremony. .Ollier speakers included: Dr Walt. Deputy Direct nr of Health, Mr L. S. Ford, chairman of the hospital hoard, and Mr ('. Martack . Mayor of Taniiiarnuui. STREET COLLISION. WANGANUI. April 15. An extraordinary accident occurred this evening, when a light live-sealer car. contaiiiincg four men, derailed a tramcar. which continued diagonally along the road, lure up the asphalt macadam, ploughed through the kerbing and finally crashed into a picket fence before it became stationary. The driver of the motor-ear evidently realised the danger too late and was making frantic elforls to swerve when the impact occurred. The car was swung parallel with the tramcar and ran for half a chain before colliding with a telegraph pole, which the tram mis<ed by onlv a few feet.

The train was very little damaged, but the motor ear was smashed almost beyond recognition. Two of the occupants of the car were taken to hospital, hut they are not seriously injured. LONG All At OF THE LAW. AUCKLAND, April 15. “I am satisfied that this is the man, although lie is carrying on a splendid system of bluff”, stated Air Boynton S.-M., in the Magistrate’s Court- to Air J. J. Sullivan, counsel for John AA’illiam Hope, aged thirty-three. Hope raised the plea of mistaken identity when charged with being £53 15s in arrears on an order for the maintenance of his wife, made in England in July, 1921, in addition to arrears of ClO2 2s 9d for which he had already suffered imprisonment. Afr Sullivan said accused’s defeate was that he was not the husband and "as not the mao against whom the charge was laid. Aforeover. the husband had a conviction against him and accused’s fingerprints had been sent to the Scotland Yard authorities for examination, and they had not ljeeii identified as those of the wanted man. -Mr Boynton: We have gone in teethe matter before and I am satisfied that this is the man. Air Sullivan: In that ease 1 would like a remand so that I can go into the case fully.

Air Boynton: I have no objection. A remand until Monday was granted and bail in £SO was allowed. Accused was ordered to report twice daily to the. police.

EAST COAST LINE. !> AUCKLAND. April 15. Sir A\'. G. Armstrong, AVhitworth Co., contractors for the (onstruction of the Katikati-Tepuna section of l r East Coast AL-iin Trunk Railway, are l making good progress with the work. t which is being carried out under the i direction of Alajor Choate, one of the : firm’s! engineering experts. In all J about 280 men are employed on various , sections of the Ifne and the majority . of the.ni are housed in hutments p:o----(vided by the company. The line has to lie handed over to the Government completely equipped and in running order not later than the end of Alarc-li. 1927, and Alajor Choate is of opinion that no difficulty will he experienced in completing the section, which is one of about 18 miles, within the contract time. Some parts of the work are being carried out on wages and others by contract. This latter system is somewhat of an experiment, so far as the contractors are cornier ned. ALijnr Choate states that so far the company lias found it quite satisfactory.