DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] FL()UK. CONTIIOVERSY. CHALLENGE TO GROAYERS. Cl IRISTCHURCH. March 24. Tho proposed pooling of their wheat supplies by the flour millers was the subject of a report from tho Agricultural Committee of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union Executive, which was submitted at a meeting of that body to-day. The Committee reported as follows:

That tho establishment of a wheat buying pool by the. millers is really creating a combination of wheat buyers, which only can he met by a united effort on the part of the wheat growers to hold on for 7s per bushel. The amount of wheat coming in is not going to keep the mills going very long, and then the position must be faced, and the millers must decide whether they will give 7s for the local wheat or 8s in sacks for Australian wheat, or else shut down their mills. In a subsequent discussion, it was suggested that the action of the millers closely resembled the formation of a trust, and that tlieir action was. in effect, .a direct challenge to the growers.

'l’he speakers admitted that the crrowers had no such organisation as tho millers, but. they urged the farmers to hold their wheat, until (hoy could get 7s per hushel.

Considerable discussion followed on the proposal to form a Growers’ "Wheat Pool for next season, to which the farmers should he asked to contribute at the rate of about twopence per biinshe! for expenses and for the establishment of a fund which might be used for the assistance of the weak holders in future years, so as to prevent the breaking of the market hv some such organisation.

Tt was urged that l lie. price could be stabilised, and that the acreage in wheat could also he stabilised. In the end. a resolution was carried ns follows: “That the question of the organisation of Clio wheat growers he referred to the Agricultural Committee of the Union to investigate and report.”

WELLINGTON MAR 110 R. PROGRESS WELLINGTON, March 25.

At the Harbour Hoard’s annual meeting a surplus for the year was shown at £30,1-19, and tho balance of assets over liabilities at slightly over one million. The trade ol the port increased by two millions and the works in hand and authorised amount to over £257.001). A powerful tug has been ordered. ROAD WORKS’. PALMERSTON X.. March 23. An enterprise, unique in the annals of New Zealand road construction and one which, it is stated, ranks amongst the most important undertakings of the kind in the Southern Hemisphere, namely 'the comprehensive improvement, of the Mauawatu Gorge Road, lias now been virtually completed. The Board of Control lias decided to endeavour to arrange for the opening of the new road the lirst week in May. when the Prime Minister will he asked to perform the ceremony.

|)R. wkkt-watson enthroned. CHRISTCHURCH. March .25. With full ceremonial rites Dr. CampIh'll Wext-Watson was enthroned last evening as Bishop of the Diocese ol Christchurch; The service was most impressive ami subsequently t hi' new Bishop delivered a striking address.

.JOINERY WORKS DESTROYED. CHRISTCHURCH. A larch 25. A lire destroyed a joinery works and its contents valued -al.*£UKK> in Spreydon last evening,' the property belonging to 11 .11. Hinky. The loss is covered by a policy in the Commercial Union Office. UNLOADING OF PHOSPHATE. CHRISTCHURCH. .March 25. The unloading of phosphides from the .steamer Crossbill at Lyttelton is held up owing to the wa.tcrsh.lers demanding higher rales. CHRISTCHURCH, March 25. Work has been resumed on the Grosshill pending an inspection of tho cargo by an independent arbitrator.

A SUICIDE. CHRISTCHURCH, .March 25. F.dith Cameron, wife of Doitgnld Cameron, a farmer of Aml>erley, committed suicide this morning by banning. GORED BY A BULL. CHRISTCHURCH, March 25. George flare, a farmer of Glemnark, was badly gored hv a jersey hull yesterday. He was hospitailed. POLO TRAGEDY INQUEST. GISBORNE, March 25. The Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death at the inquest on John -Maeliell, killed whilst playing jxilo on February 20tli. Further evidence was given by the players, showing injuries must have been sustained from the deceased’s own pony. ELTHAM TRAGEDY. ELTHAM, March 25. Tuesday’s tragedy has caused widespread melancholy interest and sympathy for the relatives of the dead and for the survivors in their painful experiences and monetary loss. All the dead victims were known in the district and Harrison’s and Nelson’s parents reside, here. A public funeral will ho accorded tho victims on Friday, when an open air religious service will he held in front of the Town Hall and combined services at tho graveside. There was an inquest tor the purpose of the identification of the victims this afternoon, after which an adjournment was made. ... . George Davidson who is injured is in a private hospital, may recover, but lie is in a precarious condition. Mrs Tavlor. the proprietoross, had an insurance of £250 on her personal effects, making £750 with that on the contents.

MINER INJURED. _ AY AIM I, Marcli 20. AY. J. Thomas, married, while employed in rm underground working at AYailii Mine, was struck on the head hv a falling piece of timber, inflicting a deep gash. The injured man was removed in an unconscious state to me hospital. His condition is critical.

PROBATION GRANTED WELLINGTON. March 2->. George Errol Coates, 24, a labourer, and Constance Riddle. 28. on a charge of obtaining £ls 5s from the Otago Finance and Agency Coy., Dunedin, by false pretences, were to-day admitted to probation for three years by Magisti fite Pace. He said he lmd decided on this course because there was a large familv of voting children. Hie accused were ‘not married and there are thiee ill’mitimate children. A condition of probation “malTncSU 'to' ,»,• W* .he »v W. tho r»u* ol 8- M Pf ' v “ l '