DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELKGIUrJI—I>EH PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OPIUM FINE. WELLINGTON, March 31. Michael Quinlan, aged 38, suspected for some time of being an opium dealer, was .-tee ll last night entering a Chinese shop, by a constable. He denied having, any opium, hut a search produced four tins in his pockets. To-day. Quinlan was fined £-JO for being illegally in possession of opium in delault six weeks’ imprisonment. THREE COTTAGES BURNT. DUNEDIN. March 31.

Three cottages at Karitane, a seaside resort, on the north line from Dunedin, were destroyed by fire this morning. I he buildings were owned by Mr Manchester, of Wnimate. Mr J. Hope, of Diindein, and Mr Gould, of Dunedin. The tire started about 10.30 a.in. in .Manchester's house, and a southerly wind fanned the Haines in the direction of Hope's and Gould's cottages, which were soon ablaze. Good work was done by workmen of the Otago Power Board, who saved another cottage from destruction. The contents of the three cottages were also completely burned. There arc no particulars of the insurances.

AI- l-:x AXD E R MI XK. I RKEETON, March 31. The Alexander River Mining Syndicate has a return of 11)5 ounces 15 pennyweights of melted gold trom GO tons of stone. The mine has now been taken over by the new company. .SHORTAGE OF CLERGY. DUNEDIN. March 31. A the Otago-Southlaml Synod, the Theological Committee reported that the number of students coining forward for the ministry was insufficient for requirements. It- was derided to support the appeal authorised by the Assembly to raise £lO.llOO for scholarships for theological training.

\ LLEOEI) SLY GROGGERS. WAIIIT, April I. The police yesterday rounded up a lumber of alleged sly grog sellers. I’hut the brewing of homo made beer ms been extensively carried on in iVnilii for years past is common know-

ledge, and equally well known that much of it has been and is still being sold. The police, however, have toil ml it a difficult matter to bring the offenders to hook and on more than one occasion their efforts have tailed.. Yesterday the premises of seven residents suspected of selling the home brew were raided and the haul totalled seven hundred bottles and one hundred gallons in the process of making. 'I he beer is facetiously termed "washhouse beer” because of the tact that it is generally made in the housewile s copper. The bottled liquor was taken to the police station where there lias since been quite an alarming popping "> corks. The parties concerned will Incalled upon to answer charges ol alleged breaches of the licensing law. alleged arson. I’AII lATUA, April 1. The police are investigating a ease of alleged incendiarism at (•• "■ Smith’s billiard saloon in Wakeman Street. The lire had apparently been smouldering for some time and was detected before any great damage was done, when Smith went to open the premises this morning.

A NARROW ESC A t’H. TAUMARANUI. April 1. A lady motorist had a narrow escape at Rangaroa railway last night when a goods train hit the rear o! the car and swung it round facing the opposite direction to that ill which it was going. The train was travelling slowly and the car suffered little damage. The motorist stilfered slight cuts and bruises. A misty rain was tailing at the time and made visibility difficult. This is a very ilangt riots crossing with four roads converging on it and the view of the line is obscured from one approach by a. coal dump. There have been several narrow escapes at this cros-ing lately.

ICARU ENQUIRY. AUCKLAND. April 1. The Kara enquiry was resumed. Mr Meredith stated the Marine Department was anxious the vessel now on the beach should b» examined by an enoineer. That would place beyond doubt whether Holliday's evidence was correct. I was suggested that there was nothing against Captain Richmond and that lie be allowed to w it idraw from the inquiry. The Court would hardly go that far but would sav that there was nothing m tlm evidence to effect, his certificate Ihe inquiry was adjourned to April -Bth. | RAILWAY CURTAILMENT. AUCKLAND, April 1. Mr. Jordan, M.P., wrote to Air. Coates stating that there was great concern among railway tradesmen at Hillside. Napier and' C! reymouth at being dismissed. Unemployment was increasing ill Auckland owing to heavy immigration anil dismissals I rum the public service. Me asked are there likely to he dismissals trom Use railways hero. 'l’he Premier reolieil that owing to the reconstruction of our workshops it will be found necessary to curtail the staff. Ardrangemeiits will be made to reduce gradually married men, ex-sol-diers being given preference.