DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1925, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

[UY TELECUAI>H PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE N.Z. LOAN. WELLINGTON, May 7. Sir Francis Bell, Acting-Minister of Finance, stated to-day that he was unable to discuss tbe reported intentions of the Government in regard to a loan flotation. Apparently the matter has been made public prematurely*, as the terms and conditions are not quite fixed. Last session there was an tension of Public Works authorisation which included provision for railway improvements. Although no official confirmation can he obtained until the prospectus is issue'll, it is assumed that the money is required for railway extension, and particularly for improvements to open lines. The schedule of eight years’ programme of railway improvements passed by Parliament involves an expenditure of nearly a million sterling in the first -a £l.l is.ooo ill the second year, and V total (luring eight years of eight million-. The Government has also heavy commitments under the Arnpiiiii hydroelectric scheme, the contract price being £1.175.090, this work being well under way. The last loan raised was for the purposes of State advances, aiul it is assumed these requirements have now been suhstantiallv met. _

MOTOR-CAR CENSUS. TOTAL REACHES 103,500. Jk WELLINGTON. May When the Post and Telegraph Department was asked to undertake the work of distributing number plates for motors in December, it, was found that none had been ordered. They were required by January 1, and at such short notice the only place that they could he procured from was California. and instead of black and white green and white alone was available. Complaints wore made that these colours were difficult to decipher at tv distance, but none other could lie pro- T*' cured.

The estimated number of plates roquirc'd was 73.01)0. and 92,000 were ordered to he on the sate' side. Even this was not enough, and the delay was another source of complaint while the fresh supply was on its way. The total registrations to March 31 were 99,233. Wellington heading the list with 15,80-1. while Christchurch had 15.200 and Auckland 1-1,783. Registrations are still coining in at the rate of 181);) monthly, and the total registered is now about 103,500. Registers are kept of owners and numbers and local authorities can obtain copies. Tv A WAR AU DAM. GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED. DUNEDIN, May 7. The construction of the- piers of the Kawarau Gold Mining Company's dam is well in hand. The first pier is now considerably advanced and a start lias been made on the construction of the second pier and the blasting of the rocks for the foundations of the third pier. With two concrete mixers, up-to-date machinery, and about 05 men employed, the work is being pushed ahead rapidly. A second shipment from England, consisting of five gates, together with the operating gear and counter-bal-

ance boxes, is already on the idte and the gates are living assembled in readiness to he' lifted into position as the piers are completed. The final shipment, consisting of tho balance of the gates, together with the remainder of the gear etc., a.rrivv l at Port Chalmers by the Athcnic ht-i week and should be on the site next week.

MOTOR LOBBY SMASH. NAPIER, May 7. While a party from the country were having a meal in a restaurant in town In-night, their one-ton motor-lorry, "hell was left oulsiile. attracted a young .Maori under the influence of liquor. Th" Maori cranked the engine and moved the controls so as to* cause it to race. The resulting vibration rattled the gearing, which finally gave way under the strain, and pieces flew in all directions, some peppering a. large plate glass window. The Maori was arrested ROTOMA TRAGEDY. SENSATIONAL REPORTS. ROTORUA, May 8. Owing to sensational unconfirmed reports in various journals, the Coroner, jury and police visited the scene of the Rotoma tragedy, ami reconstructed the events with the aid of witneses on the snot. The inquest elate is unfixed.

ELECTION RECOUNT. AYELI.LXGTOX. Alay R

In the recount for the Wellington City Mimeipnl poll, Air Robert Semple the Labour candidate, gained 787 votes. These have moved him up three places, lie thus gaining a seat on the Council, and displacing Afr Forsyth, who was originally a candidate for the Mayoralty. but who after some discussion, stood down in favour of Air C. J. It. Norwood, resulting in the latter heating the Labour nominee, Air Chapman, for the Mayoralty. The result of the recount has created a mild sensation. The. returning officer explains that many of the lesults on election night came through on the ’phone, and owing to the lmi-c, mistakes were inevitable. labour has now won three seats on the Council. IXCEXDIARIXAf. AY ELL IN ETON". .May 8. It is understood that incendiarism is suspected in connection with the fire at Knight's timber yard on Thursday night. CONSTABLE INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. Colliding with a motor car while chasing a boy cyclist who had failed to stop when asked for an explanation, Constable .Linnet received injuries which necessitated his removal to the Christchurch hospital on Thursday evening. FATAL .MOTOR ACCIDENT. W A 1 \YA. May 9. While returning home from the races last evening a ear containing Patrick AleCarteu (Taihapci. .John MH,‘arteil and .Miss Lindsay, ran into hank near I’likehoU and capsized. Patrick Alt-Car-te n was dead when extricated from the wreckage, while Aliss Lindsay suffered a broken leg.