DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[ny TELEGRAPn —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] A SUGAR SHORTAGE. CHRISTCHURCH, April 27. There is no change in the waterfront position at Lyttelton. There Was a conference of the parties today. A shortage of sugar, and a cessation of shipping consequent on the deadlock, has led Aulsebrook and Coy., biscuit and confectionery makers, to give their employees notice that, if the hold-lip of shipping continues, it may be necessary temporarily to dispense with the service of some oT the employees. Possibly close upon five hundred workers 'will be affected, though the company will continue to keep as many departments going as possible. More than one-third of flip output of their factory is shipped to tho North Island, and that outlet is blocked by the inactivity on the Lyttelton waterfront.

Other large users of sugar, such as the confectionery firms, are also becoming i.ipprohensive, amd possibly also will have to shorten, hands. There is no unusual demand for sugar hv the public generally, and tbe retailers arc reported to bold sufficient supplies to meet ordinary requirements BATTLE OF SITES. lIAM’ERA, April 27. At a meeting of representatives ot the farming and commercial interests to-day, a resolution was passed affirming the confidence of the meeting in the Government to choose the most suitable site lor the Agricultural College, but trusting that South Taranaki would receive due consideration before the site was finallv selected.

’I he possibility of establishing a Dairy School m connection with the Laboratory already established here was discussed. It was decided that lurthcr consideration of the matter be deterred /pending the receipt of fuller information.

CHINESE PROTEST. WELLINGTON, April 28. In an open letter to the people of New Zealand, the Chinese community of Wellington have entered a protest against the manner in which the restrictive laws are applied to their compatriots desiring to enter British countries, whereas British, American and other Governments in past years have forced China to concede the “open door ” for foreigners seeking to engage in a trade in the Orient. The letter points out that Chinese are horn gardeners and that white people arc unwilling to endure the drudgery necessary to produce vegetables. At the best, therefore, if the Chinese left, the white community would be faced by a shortage and high prices for vegetables. In conclusion the letter says. “Chinese feel very sore at the action of the British, who having by force of aims opened China to foreigners, now seek to retain their privileges in China, while excluding the Chinese from legitimate trading in British countries. They ask that New Zealanders practice tho charity whereon so much stress is laid in their Christian doctrine.

INSURANCE FRAUD CASE. CHRISTCHURCH, April 27. Alter many remands, the. ease against Susannah Bovan. alias Trixie Finch, arrested last February, was proceeded with this morning, it being ordered that the woman be returned to England on a charge that in June. 1922. she conspired to del ratal the Prudential Insurance of £2.881. as the result of an alleged drowning. Til l'. A I,f,KG FT) FR ACD FOR I NSC It A XT' 17 MONEY.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. Giving evidence in the Bovan case, Chief Detective Gibson said that alien irrested the U'omati said:— “Don't ;el! them in Ihe house. I did not lieuu to defraud anyone. I’ve been learly out ol my mind. ' filter tlio roman said she bail not received any noticy from the insurance, and did ini know alio bad. Tbe a'itness found n tbe u'oman’s belongings a lieatpnpr cutting giving a report of Hie in-

quiry into her death. There acre also documents relating to tbe insurance. The original ain-rant charged the woman yith conspiring with David MalJuyn Hughes Bovan and others. The. sum of £2,882 had been paid to accused’s solicitor.

.BOXING CONTROL. AUCKLAND, April 28. A movement which is oil foot to differentiate between the control of ameteur and professional boxing, was viewed with extreme disfavour at the annual meeting of the northern Boxing Asociation. Mr Craig (President) said the .st»itement that Boxing Associations were primarily concerned in the promotion of professional contests was false. It could not be said truthfully that the amateur side had been .neglected. He was quite cerlliin no new. Association could give the same support to amateurs. Ho thought it would be in the best interests of boxing to increase the membership from 150 to 300, and increase the subscriptions to say three guineas per annum. The suggestion was applauded and Mr Craig gave notice of motion to that effect. During the coming yi*ir, lie continued, we are expecting to fight dean for the rights of the Association. The position had been fully explained to the Minister of Internal Affairs, and lie would continue to keep the matter under the Minister's notice. Ho did not think the new movement would meet with any success. OBITUARY. GISBORNE. April 28. A private cable message from Sydney announces the death, as a result of a railway accident, of John R. Deeosta. of a. well-known Gisborne family. who represented an Australian firm at Bombay for fourteen years, and who reentlv retired and took up his residence in Sydney. SENTENCES FOR THEFT. AUCKLAND. April 28. At the Supreme Court Mr Justice Hcrdman dealt with the eases of two postal officials on charges of theft in their capacity 'as officers of the Government Department. In the case of Charles Joseph Hugh Curry who had admitted nine charges of theft, the accused's good official record previously was urged by his counsel. The Judge said the accused had held a position of trust and had committed thofts on nine occasions. He would be idetauned for aeformative treatment for twelve months.

John William Robert- Gussy admitted seven charges of theft as a postal official. He was temporarily employed at Porootarao. Accused who had two previous convictions was sentenced to twelve months’ lmrd labour.

FOOTBALL ACCIDENT. .AUCKLAND, April 28. Douglas McKay, aged 17, sustained concussion of the brain at a football practice match on Victoria Park. He was removed to the hospital where an ex-ray examination was made. He is still unconscious. SITTING IN CAMERA. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. The conference in reference to the Lyttelton dispute held between the le-

prescntatlves of the shipowners and tho watersiilers Is iti camera. The resultwill not be available till lat 6 tills afternoon. AN ANXIOUS MOMENT. AUCKLAND, April 28. A gasholder with a capacity of ten thousand cubic feet, on a truck at the Auckland raihvay station, preparatory to being sent to Wliangarei, M'eut suddenly ablaze. As a porter passed by a jet of flame was issuing from the valve on the holder. The railway employee cut off- the gas supply. Then all stood clear fearing fin explosion, but tbe City Fire Brigade at the first contact saw the blaze extinguished. There Mas no damage ol ally kind. MINING TROUBLE. HAMILTON, April 28. About three hundred miners employed iit Glen Afton Collieries near HuntIv are oil strike. The deadlock is tile outcome of an attempt on the palt of the men to force the company to desist from employing as miners. tM'o meil employed on outside nork at the colliery for the last eighteen months. The Union contends that men for the mine must lie restricted to truckers, who should work in the mine as vacancies occur. Another point at issue is

that the men object to the company employing two men nho recently arrived in the Dominion alien members of the Union arc nv ailable at I[uutly.