DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—per tress association.]

FIRE BRIGADES’ CONFERENCE. DUNEDIN, March 1. The annual report submitted to tile United Fire Brigades Association today stated that the number of brigades affiliated with the Association on Fcbniary Ist. 11)25. was 131. During the year the membership had been further strengthened by the inclusion of Leeson and Eastbourne brigades. The total strength of the brigades now on the roll was 1-13.

The executive was please,) to state that tile position of the Gold Star Fund was gradually being improved, and although the loss of £253 was shown for the period of KH2 to H)2l that loss was being substantially reduced each year, and at present amounted to £lB-1. During the year. Gold Stars had been presented to J. Francis (Xaseby). H. E. Freeman (Masterton). (L Laurie (Dunedin). P H. Milverton (Palmerston North). E. R. Nnrgrove (Blenheim), Dr G. Smith ( Pnreron). and .1. Wilson (Hokitikai. The following would receive their Gold Stars at the Conference:- 1.. I. Adam- (I’atea). 1). T. Gibson (Ashburton). IT. F. Greathead (Eketaliumi). H. Lynch (Graymonth). A. C. IT. Prcstney (Kntigiora, J. T. Skilling ( Rangim-a). and A. IT. Tyler (Rangioru and Reelion). The maount of assets over the liabilities was 2,21 tO Os 8d as against C 1,852 Is •Id last year. There was an increase of £2lB 5s Til. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The :!Hh annual meeting of the United Fire Brigades’ Accident Assurance Society was held to-day. I lie President. Deputy Superintendent Wilson of Milton, presided. The executive's report and balance sheet were adopted, and the following olliee hearers were elected President. Sup. A. (Taig (Hamilton); Vice-Presidents. Sub-Supt. P. Deere (Greynioulli), amlC;,plain S. F. Reid (Taiha|K>); Treas-urer-secretary. ('. A. Osborne (Oneliungit), and' Secretary-Captain T. J. Walts (Oiiehuliga). MISSING MAN FOUND DEAD. AUCKLAND. March 1. Raymond Levins, a young surveyor, who had been missing from Takapuna since January 28. was found dead ill a clutni) of grass and rushes at Takapuna to-day. The indications are that he had been dead only eight or ten days and what liapnened to him in the ipcantime is a mystery. young man drowned. DUNEDIN. .March 1. ,\t the inquest to-day on Norman Tlayley. a young man who was found drowned in the I.M.C.A. baths, u verdict- of accidentally drowned was returned.

Coroner Bundle remarked that it was a (-0111111011 error that it anybody saw a body in the water or hanging, it should be left until the police arrived. That was absolute folly.

The Coroner was commenting on a feature that when the outline of deceased’s liodv came into view, the custodian of the baths had seemingly made no attempt to recover it. It made dillereiice. however, as the liodv had been in the water tor over two hours. Imt the custodian could not know for a certainty it was there all that till'd*. Tlie Coroner also stressed Ihe necessity for something being done 10 minimise, the risk ol Inture fatalities in seeing that the premises were closed during the custodian's absence.

WAITOMu DISPUTE. AUCKLAND. Mau-h I. Endeavour- were made to-day to settle the dispute on the Vaitomo, but. without result. The firemen are eiitpliatic that they will not, lake the steamer to sea unless the cook is discharged. He was formerly an assistant cook ""oil Hie mail steamer Niagara for fen vein's. The Union Company's officials stale, thal fioy rel'n-e lo victimise the cook a the request ol the firemen. Another alt'nipt, to dispatch ttie steamer "ill be made to-morrow. REGISTRATION OF TOBACCONISTS CHRISTCHURCH. March 1. \ definite promise that he "ould tn--1 reduce leg is I a lion for the U'gislruHoii of (oliace'-'iiists was given hv the Minister of Labour (lion J. G. Anderson) to a deputation from the Hairdressers and Tobacconists' Association yesterday. IXI)EPEX DENCF. OF CHILDREN. AUCKLAND. -March 2. lu discussing the present day amusements and their intluenee on young people before the Council of Christian Churches. ,the Rev. R. G. Coates, said: “We know things are not what they should he in our young people, who are breaking nwnv from the good old rules that hound many ol us in the past. This is not the result of amusements, many of which are perfectly innocent. The whole trouble can he traced to two tilings—the breakdown of Sunday observance caused, no doubt, by tho present rapid and cheap means of locomotion, and the present-day lack of home control. Many parents are afraid to do all tliev should do because their children could, and do. exorcise their independence and walk out to slippoit themselves.

\C( TTVEXTA LI.Y DROWNED. DUNEDIN. .March 2. terhert James Clark, aged seven--11 months, was drowned accidentally the Molvnenx at Roxburgh.

AN INDECENT DOCUMENT. < WELLINGTON, March 2. 1 Judgment was delivered to-day in the case against David Kennedy Prit- - chard. Lower Hiltt. charged with sending through the post a circular advising certain prophylactics. Mr Page in convicting said the cpiestiou it as whether the action was immoral or mischievous. The accused had obtruded the document upon married women, whose ages, temperaments ami ideals were unknown to him ; to some it would cause disgust, on others it would have an injurious, even an immoral effect. The circular might also get into other hands. The Magistrate bold it was an indecent document. The fact- that his desire was not to insult, or offend, tint to build up his trade did not excuse Pritchard, who was fined £lO. A FATAL COLLISION. TIM AllU, March 2. A young man. Malcolm Bell, of 'Winchester, tiled early this morning as the result of injuries received in a collision with a- motor-ear driven by a mail named Reilly, of Orari. on the main Winchester road about 10.30 last night. The accident was rendered more distressing by reason of the fact thattho deceased was the son-in-law of the driver of the ear.

REFORM CANDIDATE. AUCKLAND. March 2. A conference attended by 121 dele-

gates from fourteen sub-branches of the Political Reform League resulted in fir James Gnnson securing a clear majority for choice as the party- candidate at Eden bye-election. The delegates present signed a pledge to vote and work for the selected candidate, and also expressed continued confidence in Mr Coates and appreciation of the services rendered by Sir James Parr. DORN FURTHER SENTENCED. HAMILTON. March 1. Dorn, who last week was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for counselling a girl to commit suicide was sentenced to three years’ probation at the Magistrate's Court for theft ot articles from his former employers,

The Magistrate remarked that tho Supreme Court would have sentenced Dorn to a longer term if it had the power and it would be well if Dorn were under supervision for a time after leaving prison. SHOPLIFTER GAOLED. AUCKLAND, March 2. At the Police Court, Mr McKean, S.M.. sentenced Gertrude Campbell to fourteen days’ gaol lor shoplifting. She had been lined in October for a. similar offence and the probation officer could not recommend probation. FIRE BRIGADES CONFER. DUNEDIN, March 2. At the Fire Brigades’ Conference, Superintendent T. Anderson (Rotorua) was elected President; Superintendents A. Oarratt (Thames) and A. Freeman (Masterton) vice-president; C. A. Osborne (Onehunga) treasurer.