DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

I , j [»Y TELKOKArH- TKK CRESS ASSOCIATION.( KILLED liV~.\ AioT°R j AUCKLAND. July 3. \i ic.- inquest on Erie -tine F.mnifi Felton, married, aged nineteen who died Imm injuries received by being knocked down by a motor ear driven by Owen Cockcroft on May 27th. the Coroner. Mr McKean. S.M.. said: “I am under the impression the driver was travelling faster than he says, but I am not prepared to send the case for prosecution.” THEFTS BY A YOUTH. WELLINGTON. July 1. "If you don’t take a pull to yourself it. means von are going to spend praoticallv all your life in gaol,” said Mr Riddell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning to Patrick Thomas M ’Govern, aged nineteen, who pleaded guiltv to two charges of theft of goods valued at Cl J from week-end cottages at Porirua. Norman Alliert Johnson pleaded guilty to the same charges. It was pointed out that M'Govern had had no home life since the age of seven, and had been in an industrial school. Later lie had I icon admitted to probation for three years tor thott. The Magistrate said that the only chance was to sentence accused to n term in the Borstal Institute fur several years, where he would have an opportunity to improve himself. He hoped that when released he would he a little more stable. Accilsvd was sentenced to three years' reformative detent ion in the Horst::! Institute, Invercargill. .Johnson's case wa.s remanded ior a week.

PIGEON .-'HOOTING. X.Z. ( LAY CHAMPIONSHIP. MAR-TON. July 1. Gunmen mot here .vest onlay. In the CIO!) M.artou Club clay bird open handicap, eight finalists divided the pri.'.e. In the shnot-nff for me trophy, Quartermain ’Taihape) and Human Fraser (Palmerston North) were equal, and tossed. The former won. To-day the New Zealand clay championship of Clio was fired. The morning was dull. lint conditions wore brighter in the afternoon, and there was a good light. There were seven-ty-one entries -an Australasian record. 11. Xitz, A. .McGregor .Masterton). A. Simmons (Whakatane), S. Glennie (Poverty Bay), Murray and Pratt Otnrohanga) each secured the possilile of 21, and the stake was divided.

In tlio slioot-nff for the gold medal am! elm mpionship. Nitz secured ten. Pratt nine. Glennie six, and Simmons five. M’Gregni’ missed with the first shot.

SOIL SURVEY. WELLINGTON, July J. Among the practical suggestions from the Hon. I). Buddn to the Minister of Agriculture as to methods of further assisting the producer lie advocated in the House to-night the nc-re-sity for a properly organised .scientific soil survey. There was untiling more necessary than a knowledge of the soil which each farmer had to work. The farmer knew nothing about the deficiencies of his soil and lie went to work in a haphazard way. putting in al! sorts of fertilisers, though they migJit not lie the most effective. TTe had found on a visit to England That many farmers had soil surveys ol their farms "and knew exactly the deficiencies in their soil. The survey could only lie done by an expert. It was not stifle ient to simply hag up some soil and send it to an analyst. The person uho analysed the soil should take samples. T say we are throwm£- a way more money using the wrong sort of fertiliser than by anything el-e in agricultural work.” declared tin' member, wlm reminded the .Minister that an arrangement was made some years ago for the Department of Agriculture to subsidise soil surveys conducted by Lincoln College. A start was made but there was a change of Minister and the promised subside never came, with the result that a professor, who was vorv enthusiastic over this work, was transferred to other work. I bus no soil surveys were made, except on Lincoln College lands. He assured the Minister of Lands that the biggest

thing lie could do to help the farmers would be to inaugurate a system of soil surveys. .MAYOR AND HIS DKI’ETY. DIFFERENCES SETTLED. GISBORNE. July 1. The Borough Council proceedings lasi night had a dramatic turn. The ee.v.-d question ol the appointment ol a Deputy-Mayor came up for consideration when Cr. Toneye-litfe proceeded will) a motion of which notice had been given, favouring the election ol tr. Thomas Toeld. The* debate was at times lively ami heated, several ol theCouncil supporting the- candidature of Cl-. Coleman (Labour-. Finally the Conned elee-ted C r. loild, in spite- of the strong opposition ol the Mayor. After Cr Todd had been elected he appealed to the Mayor to ae-e-ept theposition. Cr Todd -to the- Mitvor) : Can’t you bury the hatehe-t now and let us eln the best, for the- gooel of the town!-' You have always he-eti known as a “sport.V I appeal to you to be a. ••sport " now and accept- the C niuieil’s verdict. The Mayor: 1 must toll the Council that ill the past Cr. Toelel has never missed a chance to oppose me. However. I will he a "sport.” 1 will accept him and give him full powers. Cr Maude: Three- cheers for tlio Mayor. These were given while Cr Toelel am. the Mayor buried their differences in a warm handshake.’’

ESCAPEE SENTENCED. NEW PLYMOUTH. July 3. Walter Batterbce. who recently escaped from gaol and was recaptured, was sentenced to three months, in addition to the term of ten years which ho is now serving. WRECKAGE EUL’ND.

WELLINGTON. July 3

Advice received by the Marine Deperatment is to the effect that wreckage has been found at Titalii Bay, where the mvsterious lights were seen during the recent gale. The Tutanokai was then sent ill search. The vessel found no trace. Portion of a hatch covering, mar.e----e-d “F.Y. Til", also a small boat broke in half, have been discovered on the beach. A Marine Department officer will leave early to-morrow to investigate. DUNEDIN, July 3. At a meetihg of the Otago Labour Council it was decided by f> votes to S To recommend tlie Trades and Labour Council’s Federation to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour. FLOODED GROUNDS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 3. Owing to most of the sports grounds being under water, only senior Rugby games will he played fo-day.