DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] SHUNTING FATAETTKS. WEE El NGTOX, June 20. The Thromlon Brandi of Railway men held, a conference with the local members of Parliament to discuss the grievances of shunters. it was alleged that insufficient lighting, long hours, impossible rules and other reasons were causing continual accidents. Sometimes men had to work in pools of water over their boots. It was contended the men were anxious to help the Government in making the railways pay and more consideration

should he shown if they were to give of their host.

The members of Parliament replied sympathetic-ally and promised to do all possible to have the grievances redressed. DEEP SEA FISHING. AUCKI.AXD. Jane 21. A review of the deep-sea fishing season at tlu- Bay of Islands shows that it was in many respects remarkable. Rccorils for size and number of iish taken wore broken. and visitors to the grounds were far more numerous and came from much furllic-r afield than in previous yeans. The season opened at Capo Brett on December loth. Inst, wlu-n the Englishman, Major Corbet, landed the first fish, a niako shark, weighing 2011 b. It was not until .Taimary 21st. lli.it the first swordfish was obtained by Air .1. Marsdeu f aughey, ami the season continued until .May fitli. on which day the last recorded fish was caught by Mr E. Binnev of Auckland.

During a prolonged season of almost live months the total catch on the grounds lying off the entrance to ilie Bay of Islands, as recorded on tho books of the Mako Shark and Swordfish Club, was 00 swordfish, 2-1 mako sharks, three thresher sharks, and two hammerhead sharks, of a total weight of almost 1-1 tons I2ovt. The swordfish totalled 20,3971 b in weight, of all average of 282.181 b. and mako shark ."ioflOlb. averaging 223.01 b. World's records were established by Mr A. B. AVilliams.. of Tokomaru Bay. in landing a swordfish weighing .1281 b. and by Air E. P. Andreas, of Sydney, in accounting for a mako shark of .>lßll is.

Mr 11. S. Straw bridge. of Russell, caught a thresher shark weighing f)2o!b. This shark measured 1 Aft from tip to tip, and as far as can be ascertained. is the longest, fish over caught with a rod and line, CANTERBURY FARMERS CO-OP. CHRISTCHURCH. June 20. When the recent- resolution of the Stock Exchange was mentioned to Ihe Manager of the New Zealand [■ armors’ Co-operative Association. Mr lesson -aid the circular issued by the HiI'eetors contained only a series of suggestions for tin- consideration of those concerned. The proposals were subject in modification, and were in laid, being modified.

REQUESTS Til CANTERBURY, CHRISTCHURCH. June 29

The Canterbury College Board of Governor, s to-day received two bequests ol £30911 each, lor the purpose of establishing scholarships ‘at The college- One was from the I’nislee of the Lizzie Ratlibone estate, Maipawu. and the other from Mrs Gabbatt. wife of Professor J. P- Gabball. of IVtei’slk'hl. Hants. England.

betting CHARGES. AUCKLAND. June 29

,1 ikl:j!!ih‘!i! wa . given by Mr I’oynfui; hU.M.. ill ills' Holier Coil ft, in tin case in which William (!. Brown and \. Bailsman were charged on eight informations with In 4 l!injr, with a ((instable. Brown was originally char,Cecil with carryiny; on the business ol bookmaker. He objected to a Alogis-tmt-e hearing the other charges <*n the ground that he intended to elect a trial hy jury helore the Supreme Court, on the charge of carryiny: mi the business of a bookmaker. Iff questioned the right of the prosecution to substitute summary charges to defeat the minor charge going hefere the Supreme Court. The (hid Justice refused the application for writ of prnhi bit ion. Accordingly Mi- I'oyuton delivered judgment. Ho belli it proved that accused was a bookmaker, who bad betted tote odds with a constable; also that there was evidence of a system. Brown was found guilty on one charge. Ihe Magistrate said that it was not a case I'm- a fine, as accused was fined I'.S(K) year ago. hut it would appear that the fine had no deterrent effect. .Ho indicted a sentence of 3- days’ imprisonment. Security tor an appeal was fixed at- £2O. The wsu-nun was suspended, and the oilier cases adjourned. pending the hearing of the appeal.

A BOY’S- DEATH. nCNT-DIY- June 29. The coroner's inquiry into the circumstances of the death of At dluun (os. Cochrane, aged 12. who was lulled at Ealclutha. on June 11. when h was crushed between a dray nml a motor ear. reached finality at Milton to-dav. when Air H. J. Dixon was on the Bench. After hearing the evidence of the driver of the car. William Martin Heckler, and a passenger, the Coroner said that- in view of the fact- that further proceedings might h taken, he did not propose to make any comment. He would return an open verdict that the deceased died of injuries received on June II as the result of being crushed between a dray and a motor car drive, by M illiam Martin Heckler.

At the conclusion of the inquest on the Ihiv Cochrane, the driver of the car Heckler, and Carnegie the owner were jointly charged with negligent driving, thereby causing the death of the hoy. They were remanded to appear at .Milton on July ‘itli.

DEATH OF AIACFATU.AXE. AYEBTjINGTON. June 20. Nothing to slied light oil the cause of the car going over the bank and causing the death of Mncfarlane. was elicited at the inquest, which was opened to-day. One theory, which is supported by a photograph of the road, showing the wheelmarhs, is that the wheels of the car were janihed in a- water table on the hill (the safe) side of the road, and that Afaefarlane in endeavouring to extricate the car, pulled too much to the right, and that the car. when clear of the ruts, shot across Hie road, and skidded on the slipperv”*"road to the bank before it could be righted. Afaefarlane must have been killed instantaneously. The others are progressing favourably.

POLITICAL. DUNEDIN, June 29. At a largely attended meeting of the Reform supporters at Roxburgh on Saturday James Ritchie, who contested the AA’akalipu seat at last election against, the sitting member, was unanimously selected as the Reform candidate for Wakatipu at the general election.

CHRISTCHURCH, June 29.

Mr X. D. Campbell, a prominent North Canterbury farmer, and a member of several local bodies, will contest the ILurunui seat in the Reform interest- at the general election. WELLINGTON, June 29.

A caucus of the Parliamentary Labor Party was held on Saturday morning. Air H. E. Holland presiding. All members of the Party were present or accounted for. General matters concerning the Party and ihe work of the session wore- discussed, but tho result of the discussion was not- officially disclosed. PROMOTIONS AND TRANSFERS roErcE force. WELLINGTON. June 29. A number of promotions and transfers are announced in the Police Force. Sergeant D. J. O’Neill, oi tiic Central Police Station. Wellington, lias been transferred to Tailiape to replace Sergeant Afattliews. who is retiring. Sergeant T. 11. Dyer, of the Taranaki Street Station, Wellington, n\s to take charge of the Mnsterlou Station. vice Sergeant J. Sweeney.

Sergeant Sweeney, who has been promoted to the rank of senior-ser-geant, proceeds to Hamilton. Constable J. .Melville, of Headquarters. Wellington, lias been promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and takes up his duties at the Central Station. Inspector Hutton, of Gisborne, is retiring, and iii.x place is being filled by Sub-Inspector A. Cameron, of Christchurch, promoted to inspector. Senior-Sergeant J. A. Matthew, of Hamilton, lias l.toen promoted to suhInspoetor, and proceeds to Christchurch.

Constable M. E. Hill, of Hikurangi lias been promoted lo sergeant at Wellington. DEATH t\ PRISON CELL. CHRISTCHURCH, June 29. When the usual muster of prisoners took place at l-’aparua prison to-day. Ernest Sioddart, aged 61 years, failed to appear, lie was found dead in his cell. Apparently he died from natural causes, Stoddarl was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment in April on a charge of being a. rogue and a vagabond. in that he had insufficient lawful visible means of support.

TIMBER, FREIGHTS. WELLINGTON, June 29. ‘•The New Zealand Railway tariff mi timber practically nullifies the cllert on Hie protective duly.” said Mr A. Seed. Secretary of the New Zealand Federated Saw millers’ Association m-day. “.111(1 j lll l-- a premium on the imported article over ihe New Zealand product.” Mr Seed stated that a meeiing of the executive of the Sawmillers’ Association would be held in Wellington on July Slli., when, amongst oilier things, the ell'eet mi the industry of Hie railway t.’ifill increase, which amounts roitghh to 20 per cent, will to considered, following which, a deputation will wait on the Ministei of Railway.- in protest. Most of the titnl.cr used ill Wellington, for instance, he explained, was milled at Oliakune. The present freight per hundred siiper1. |Vi i from Oliakune to Wcllinglmi - lV as -Is ltd. The new freight phu--0,1 j| ai ;,s 9d. and. as the protective duty amounted to 2' per hundred loci, this ant a reduction in tho amnuni of practical pnitoetion by 50 per cent.