DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH I’BESS ASBN-, COPYRIGHT. FOBEST COXSER NATION. WELLINGTON, August 11. Some recent observations by tlie Commissioner of State Forests (Sir Heaton Rhodes), with regard to the position this country occupies relatively to Australia in the matter of forest conservation and development, were supplemented yesterday by the Director of Forestry (Mr L. -Macintosh Ellis.) According to the figures cited the other day by the Commonwealth Prime Minister, Mr Ellis pointed out Australia lias in all approximately 74 square miles of plantations. New Zealand lias 100 square miles of plantations, and this area is being added to at the rate of 17,500 acres or over twenty-seven square miles per year. Then again Mr Bruce mentioned that there are in Queensland some 800 million superficial feet of soft woods still standing. Apparently this represents virtually the whole available supply of indigenous soft woods in Australia. New Zealand still has in its indigenous forests something like 25,000 million superficial feet of commercial soft woods. The Director of Forestry is of opinion that if full effect is given to the programme of development laid down by his Department, the indigenous and planted forests of the Dominion will he in a condition by 1900—thirty-five years lienee—fo yield ample continuing supplies of timber . A WHARF THEFT. AUCKLAND, August 11. "This man has been employed as a wharf labourer for the past eighteen months, and during that time stole the articles,” said Chief-Detective Cummings when John Harold Davies, aged thirty, pleaded guilty to stealing a cardigan jacket and felt hat, valued at 27s fid, and two vanity eases valued at 10s, the property of ihe Commonwealth and Dominion Shipping Line. “He is a man of means,” continued the ChiefDetective. “He lias C2OO in the Savings Bank, .(.'252 in the Post Office, C 1250 in property in Auckland and L'Boo in a farm in the north, and if the Court considers it a ease for a fine—” The Magistrate: I do not at all. What hits he got to say? Accused : All 1 can say is I am very sorry. It is the first time I have seen llie inside of a cell and I hope it is the last. Mr Hunt, S.M. Twenty-one day’s imprisonment. A WASTED LIFE. AUCKLAND, August 12. Unusual circumstances surrounded the admission to the Public Hospital recently of tut old man, James Craig Cummings, aged 71, who was charged in the Boliee Court, for the sixth time since 1907, with attempted stiit file. Sergeant Calwell said flic accused had no money and no friends, he had led a wasted life, and was making his twentieth appearance m court. Ilis record included most convictions for drunkenness and offences arising out of drunkenness, lie had already served two sentences of six months' imprisonment, for attempting to take his lile. Accused spent his last penny in purchasing a bottle of poison, said Sergeant Calwell. lie went to the hospital and swallowed the eonleiits ami then (talked inside to die. .Magistrate Boynton said il was useless allowing accused his liberty and lie would he better under supervision, lie would he sentenced In six months imprisonment.