DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—rtiESS ABSN., COFYBIGHT

NAVAL DFFEXCE. WELLINGTON, July 28. The greater portion of the annual report on the New Zealand naval lories surveys last year’s operations. Recruiting resulted in obtaining the necessary number of hoys, but a call for a small number of stokers has not met with a satisfactory response. The estimates have been framed with the object of giving effect to the Admiralty’s suggestions as to the lines on which New Zealand naval policy should proceed to maintain the nucleus of a sen-going squadron capable of expansion by cruisers and ocean-going submarines, the provision of oil reserves in the Dominion, development of a naval base at Auckland, provision for local protection of trade and storage of guns for merchant ships and escorts, providing trained personnel for them, and provision of a mobile defence anil mine-sweeping organisation. It is proposed during the current financial year to purchase a trawler lor instructional purposes, this vessel being used for training officers and men in gunnery and mine-sweeping.

ALLEGED THEFT. DDNEDIN, .1 illv 28.

David Raden-Rowcll, a well dressed, youth who. when arrested yesterday was found in possession ol diamonds, rubies and other stones, was charged with breaking ami entering and stealing rings and money. He was remanded till Monday. The Chief Detective said the properly found would involve proceedings in the other three centres.

I.rOFOR TRADE. WELLINGTON, July 20.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Licensed \ ictuallers Association was held to-day. If was the largest and most representative gathering ol the Association yet held.

The following officers were elected : President, Mr P. Coyle (re-elected unopposed) : Vice-presidents. .Messrs P. .1. Griffon (Wellington) ami A. Rose (Christchurch); Treasurer, Mr .). McFarland (Wellington) ; Executive. Messrs W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford), H. Harris (Martiulmnmgh), C. Dunmore (Waikato). 15. Aislahie (Gisborne). W. Keller (Hokitika). I. A. Heath (Napier), A. C. Monro (Wellington). J. Belibington (Manawatu), T. A. Nixon (Wanganui), J. McDonald (Wellington), R. Marshall (TL ■ mint). M. O’Brien (Southland). (L A. Vincent (Wairarapa). W • Devine ( Palmesliin North), and A. I’aapc (Otago). At the conclusion of the meeting, the President stated that the quest, jon of accommodation had been thoroughly gone into, and ilie delegates were unanimously "I opinion that, given something mure 'table than tlie present unsatisfactory three years’ ten ure, the retail trade could, and would, he put on a basis second to none in the world, in regard to accommodation. Promise.- ol support with a view ol living every opportunity for elfeefing changes, which at present could nut be made wore furthcoming from man.' quarters. Some of them were quit l unexpected. The hope had been expressed by the meeting that the ue cessarv legislation would not be delay-

FARMERS’ CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON. July 29. Some of the principal remits passed by the Farmers' Contercnce were: That, with a view to removing the anomalies in the present system, all valuations should he carried out b\ local hollies, and tlia-t the valuation arrived at ho given eflert to al the same time throughout tho Dominion. That it he unlawful for any Acelim-

atisation Society or private person to introduce any bird, reptile, or animal into New Zealand without first consulting the Department ol Agriculture, and that the Agricultural Department loiiMift the Dominion Kxeetitive ol the New Zealand Farmers' t'niim before granting such permission. That the existing legisaltion be amended mi that in local body election voters shall be required to vole for the required number ol candidates, im more ami no less.

That Hospital levies be made on a population basis. That, to ensure that each member of Parliament shall have been elected by j, majority of votes, elections should he conducted under the preferential voting system. That the Upper House be elected as provided by the law now on the Statute Book. That the Government he urged lo adopt one standard method of marking ballot papers at all elections. That the New Zealand Farmers' Union take up the matter ol urging the government to grant relict to discharged soldiers who have taken up laud on their own account, and have not availed themselves of the privileges alter the war under the P.S.S. Act.

That the Government he urged to have a more liberal and progressive land policy, so that it may he able to offer and make inducements to people to take up and farm many of the vacated sections now lying idle. IROXFOUXDEE DEAD. DUXFDIX. duly 28. Mr Thomas .Ross Burt, son of Air T. U. Burt, who was one of the founders of the linn of A. and 'I. Burt, Ltd., died this morning. Deceased was a director of the firm and its workshops manager for nearly thirty years. He was trained as an engineer and as a young man had experience at sea and in the railway workshops. Ip to 1* riday last lie enjoyed good health. Oh Saturday he had a. serious fall at Bioad Bay, and was taken to a private hospital. One of the sons, Cordon Burt, is at Home, and at latest advices was joining Amundsen's expedition. CHARGES OF THEFT. CHRISTCHURCH, July 20. At the Magistrate’s Court, Thomas Alexander Mitchell was remanded on i’ail on a charge of having stolen £0 gs -Id from the Hospital Board. Ihe police stated that, so far as they knew at presenf. the total defalcations were £9OO, extending over the past few years', the allegation being that vouchers were falsified, enabling the drawing of money allegedly for the wages of nurses and wardsmaids who had left the Board's service.

GAMBLING FIXES. AUCTvTJAXD, July 29. Vs a sequel to a raid on a. billiard saloon last Saturday night, the proprietor, Harold James McNeil, was to-day lined £59 for keeping a common gaming house. Evidence "as given hv a police constable that he took part in a game of “Afurrumbidgee" or “Shakos.

Of seventeen men found on the premises, two were fined £5, two £3, nine £2, and the remaining three were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.

CYHF.XA SALVAGE SALE. WANGANUI July 20

Tiie salvage sale in connection with the wreck of the oil ship Oyrena here to-day attracted wide interest. Many things went at 'bargain (rates. Tho ship’s wheel realised a modest os hut there was fair competition for the .ship’s hell which the Fire Brigade secured for 37s Gd. One prospective buyer hopes that the ship’s funnel will ho offered as he contemplates its use in the carrying off of flood waters in his locality.

The wreck of the Oyrena is disintegrating under the effect of heavy southerly seas. The broken ends of the steamer now lie at an oven stronger angle than they did a week ago. CLAIM FOR £2OOO. HAMMER FALLS ON LADY’S HEAD. WELLINGTON J.*ily 29. A claim for £2OOO arising out ot the fall of a hammer on the bead of a lady walking down Cuba Street is being heard in the Supreme Court. The parties are Edgar Horne and his wife plaintiffs and A. and 'l'. Burt Ltd., defendants.

It is alleged that on December Ith last. Mrs Horne was walking along the pavement when ail employee of the defendant company negligently dropped a hammer from tho top storey of the building, which fell on her head, whereby she was permanently injured. The defence admitted tho facts as regards the fall of the hammer, but denied negligence on the part of tho employee, and also denied that Mrs Horne was permanently injured.

MEN NS CONVICTED. CHRISTCHURCH. July 29. In the Mu tins ease, the accused was convicted on all thirteen charges. Sentence was postponed. TN F A NTT LG D.VR.VI TV SIS. CHRISTCHURCH. July 29. The boy from St. Albans who was notified oil Monday as all infantile paralysis suspect, has been definitely diagnosed as a negative ease. Dr Telford, Medical Officer of Health, stated to-day. that as far as the city was concerned, there had been no positive cases of infantile paralysis since the epidemic ileliuitoly subsided several weeks ago. WRIT FOR C2.00D. HAMILTON. July :50. A writ for C 2.000 lias been issued by English and Lnxford, accountants, of Hamilton, against Dynes I- niton. Chairman ol Directors of the New Zealand Co-Operative Dairy Coy Lid as damages for alleged slanderous statements made at a recent dairy meeting at Matangi.

HUMAN LEG FOUND. CHRISTCHURCH. July 29.

Portions of the left leg of a human being were foili.d on the beach at Quail Island. Lyttelton Harbour, by two watersiders, who crossed over lor the purpose of gathering pinis for bail. Three or four persons have been drowned in the harbour in the past fifteen months, and it is presumed Ihr remains belong to one of these untortuuates. ,