DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

POP C I.ATI ON ST A T IST 1C S

LAST YEAR’S IN INCREASE. WELLINGTON. November 13. A nominal rate of increase, although it is an improvement on the figures for recent years, is revealed in the latest returns of estimated population of the Dominion and its mandated territory. The period under review shows the position as at September 30 last, when the estimated population of New Zealand proper (including Maoris) was 1,300,487, nn increase of 31,487 over the corresponding period of last year. Working on a calendar year basis the improvement in increases for the past five years is found. The rise in 1922 was in round figures 30,000; in 1021, the big immigration year, it was 32,000: 1922, 21.000; 1923. 24,000 and 192-1, 27,000. The year 1919, which marked the return of men on active service was an exceptional year for population increase, the rise on that occasion being measured bv (59,000.

The figures for New Zealand proper, including Maoris, show that the male population is still in the ascendant, and during the period it increased In--19,098, while females increased by 11,389.

North Island population, including Maoris, in 1921. was 312.013 in excess of that of (he South Island, and at September last it had risen to 301,731. The increase in the North Island lor the period under review was 20,302 as against the South Island’s 7(53.1. Male increases in the north were represented by 11,111 and females by 12,311. In the South males increased by 10-17 and females by MOD'S. The total increase for New Zealand and its mandated territory was 30,113. while the Maori population increased bv 738—372 males and 30(5 females.

SCHOONER SOLD. ALCKLAND. Nov. 11. The five-masted sAiooner 11. K. Hall, previously owned at Auckland, has been sold lo a Peruvian firm. SHIP HELD CP NAPIER, Nov. 14. The Waiinata is held up. The crew are refusing to sail till the forecastle is repainted, which will lake three days. NEW MODERATOR. DUNEDIN. Nov. 1-1. At the morning session of the General Assembly the Rev. G. 11. McNeur (of the Can too Mission) was chosen as Moderator for 1920-27. 11 is name and that of (he Rev. ,). Aitkeu of GislKiruc, went to the ballot the voting being: Mr MeNeiir 173.

Mr Aitkeu 14. Mr MeNeiir will have to he recalled from the mission field only a lew months earlier than had been intended.

STOLEN CAR HER XT. CH RISTCH HR Cl I. Nov. 11. Capsizing anil catching tiro at Coach Corner, Ppper Riceartou a five sealer motor came to tin untimely etui. The machine, it is stated had been taken without the authority of the owner from a street in the city. Reside the car wits found a young man sitflering from injuries to the Hue. which were not serious. He said that a man who had been driving the car and other men. whose mimes lie did not know, had mil away al'lcr pulling him Ironi under Ihe maehiiie. Ihe owner had left CIO in silver and notes under the seat of the ear. When he arrived at the scene, all that could he louud ol (ho money was a lump ol melted metal.

RHODES SCHOLARSHIP. AUCKLAND, Nov. 14. W. G. Kalaugher has been nominated for the additional Rhodes scholarship. He lias an outstanding scholastic career, lie has boon a prominent athlete.

PENROSE TRAGEDY. AUCKLAND, Nov. 13

Mrs Dorothy Williams, aged 29, who was severely burned at Penrose on Friday, has died from her injuries. Her baby son, Geoffrey, who was burned before, being rescued from the burning dwelling, is in a critical condition.

ROY IMMIGRANTS. GISBORNE, Nov. I I

A discussion ;»L tin* Farmers’ ( nion to-day brought out some frank expressions of opinion concerning some of the English schoolboys echo are being brought, out to the Dominion to learn fanning work. The discussion arose over one lad, who was applying lor a transfer, the application being opposed bv his employer. '.Mr J. C. Field suggested that a special committee he set up to hear the complaints ol the dissatisfied lads. Mr Cameron said that many of the lads are useless when they arrive, and that as soon as they are of use. they want, to leave to get higher wages.He tliniwUr the tails should In- bound tor a set time, mid have set wages. The President, Mr G. T. Tralford. suggested that the matter be held over til) the Under-Secretary visited C.ishorn, and he could hear the lads and the employers. Mr Adair said the farmers understood that the hoys were to get only ten shillings for the first twelve months, hut now many were getting one pound and twenty-five shillings.-' The hoys should he kept down to ten skillings for the first year, and it the farmers were pleased with them, the lads could he given a bonus Mr Field suggested that there imgnt he unsuitable places, and the lads should not have to remain there. Mr Cameron said the boys were writing home and saying they are not being well treated, and that was doing • harm to the scheme. He thought that (he ho vs should he tied down for two veurs ‘ Personallv he would not again im bothered with the scheme. Ihe liiivs yfteu had swelled heads, and then went oir at all limes, whether the farmers were busy or not. The scheme eoalil onlv he successful by control. It was' decided to defer furl her action till the rndor-Secretary visited Gisborne.

GALE AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 15. For the past twenty-four hours southerly gale has been raging bete. To-day it has been bitterly cold, with occasional gleams of watery sunshine ami manv showers of hail. •Vt the first vaeht race of the season at Lvttelton yesterday, several competitors were capsized, and launches had a busy time rescuing the oceuPa, rhe ferry steamer had a rough passage not arriving at. Lyttelton till Khlo a in., while the Tees, which left on Saturday for Pitt Island, put back and The steamer Waipahi, from Wellington to Dunedin, also put in this mornOne boat, the Piopio, which was taking part in the Saunders Cup trials on Saturday, was overturned, and driven ashore and totally wrecked.