DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegram—per press association.] FOOTPADS. AUCKLAND, May 7. There was a sensational occurrence in Alozley Avenue, Devonport, on Thursday evening, when, under cover of darkness, owing to the street electric. lights being temporarily off, Thomas Taylor, a middle-aged man, was set upon by three men. He was hit on the head with a heavy instrument, and a valuable watch was stolen. He was subsequent! found semi-con-scious, and was removed to a private hospital, where he is progressing favourably. THE DUNEDIN TRAGEDY. DUNEDIN, May 10. Patrick John Jager was charged in the Police Court to-day with the murder of Arthur Crengh on May 3. In his evidence, Dr Evans, police doctor, said that in liis opinion accused was certifiable as a mental defective. The Afagistrate committed accused for trial and ordered his detention iii a mental hospital pending representations being made to the Afinister of Health. MURCHISON OIL. AUCKLAND, Alny 10. Tho Aturehison Oil Company reports that the boro is now down 375 feet. Tt is now in grey mudstone. Drilling has been suspended, pending the running of a string of ton-imeh casing for the purpose of shutting off any surface water.

THE UNEMPLOYED. AUCKLAND, May 10. A deputation of the unemployed here waited to-day on the Hon. Air Anderson, Alinister of Labour, who stated that tho Government would find employment. during the next three, weeks for 150 meir on»public works in the province. Tho Alinister stressed the point that the provision of work was not solely tho duty of the Government, which would do what it could, but the civic authorities and the employers generally must assist. YOUTH’S DOWNFALL. PALMERSTON N.. Alay 10. Hie circumstances leading up to the appearance- of a young man. Raymond Harding, at the -Magistrate’s Court, on ten charges of theft, were described by Senior Detective Quirke as unfortunate: The thefts, which were committed at Palmerston North and Feilding between February and April, wore nf musical instruments, received by Ihe accused for sale on commission, and converted to his own use. Tho total value was £l2.

According to police evidence, Harding eamo to Palmerston North in February, and had for some time gone straight. Then lie got into financial difficulties, and he had to sell his furniture as his wife and child were starving. He succumbed to a temptation to steal the goods. Rev. TT. Beat offered to take Harding under his guidance, if the Court would admit him to probation. ITc said: “He is just a lad. and has entered into the sea of matrimony without realising the grave responsibilities of such a step. His education is being completed about it this morn-

ing.” The Afagistrate reserved his decision. JERSEY STOCK. NEW PLYMOUTH. Alay 10. Jersey Week iri Taranaki opened with the sale of the Ivnndnlc herd at Waitnrn. There were 58 pedigree animals sold, and they realised a total of £3,001, which gives an average of £OB. Thirty-two cows averaged £7l. nineteen heifers £64. and seven bulls CIS. The top price was 510 guineas for . cow. while others brought from Hire: hundred downwards. Buyers were present from all over New Zealand. Sales of high-class cattle will be held throughout the week. .HURT BY HOCKEY BALT.. DUNEDIN. Alay 10j A boy, named Clifford Russell, aged 0. was admitted to the hospital to-day with a fractured skull, received by being struck on tho bead with a bucko-, ball. He is on the dangerously ill list. AIIXISTER OF LANDS. PATTI ATT'A, May K). Hon A. D. McLeod, accompanied by Air J. B. Thompson, Acting Undersecretary of Lands halted here a little while this afternoon on his way to Danncvirke, and a number of settlers interviewed (him regarding matters pertaining to properties in which they had an interest. The Alinister promised to consider their various requests, or to make representations on the matter.

A NOTABLE FIGURE. WELLINGTON, Alny 11. At the age of 77, death has removed a once notable figure in New Zealand’s athletic world, in the person of J. J. Doyle, runner, boxer, weight-lifter and exponent of physical culture. In his youth he was a digger and then joined the. police and later became Chief Inspector of Nuisances in Wellington and all the time was looked to as a leading light in athletic matters. Personally he had a remarkable physical development and could hold his own with most of the “ strong men.” ALLEGED BRIBERY. CHRISTCHURCH, Alay 10. Louisa Peale, a. prohibited person, offered two constables £lO each as a bribe when they found liquor in her house. “I look upon the bribe as more or less an idle vapouring,” said the Afagistrate. Air H. G. Widdowson, when evidence in two charges against Louisa lleale. was heard this morning. “ She is fined £5 and costs, or one 'month’s imprisonment, for offering to give a bribe to induce the police to forgo their duty. For obtaining liquor while prohibited she is fined £2 and costs, or fourteen days’ imprisonment. The sentences are cumulative.” BUTTER PRICES. WELLINGTON. A fay 10.

The X.Z. Producers’ Co-operative Marketing" Association have received the following cable from London, dated Alav 7: “Owing to the strike, there are no official quotations this week, as the Board of Trade fixed prices in accordance with last week’s quotations, for both, butter and cheese. There is practically no business being done in London, but a few sales are being made at Liverpool, Avonmouth, and Glasgow. It is only possible to obtain delivery of stoeks held from certain of the cool stores, which are still working. The indications are that a decrease in price will take place for both butter and cheese when the strike is settled, as the home supplies, and also supplies from the Continent are accumulating rapidly,”

A THEFT' CHARGE. ' PALMERSTON N., Alay LO. A young man, Edward Albert Alci Guire, with several aliases, was charged with theft of a banjo-mandolin at Thames. Accused’s counsel said AlcGuire bought the instrument on the hire purchase system. When lie left Thames for Auckland, lie had only paid one pound. In Auckland he sold the instrument. Then lie went to Wellington, Where the matter preyed on his mind. Coining to Palmerston North, the accused had given himself up voluntarily to tho police, who hud no knowledge of the theft. Enquiries showed accused’s story to lie correct. Accused was convicted and was ordered to come up for sentence within twelve months, on condition that the two pounds purchase money remaining in the instrument, which had been banded back to the owner, be paid. A minister in Court offered to find work for the accused. OPOSSUAI. HUNTERS FINED. PALMERSTON N., Alay 10. At the Magistrate’s Court, William Robert Goodall. and George Cooper were fined five pounds and costs on charges of taking or killing opossums during the close season. The ranger for the Acclimatisation Society stated thiit the Society looked upon the offence as a serious one. ACTUARY’S BRANCH. WELLINGTON, May 11. Tho establishment- is announced of a new sub-department of llie Government, namely, Government Actuary’s Branch. It will undertake and be responsible for all acturial work in connection with tho various Department of tho Public Service. This work has hitherto been carried out by a special staff attached to the Government- Insurance Deparmcnt, which was tire only one requiring such work until recent years, when the establishment of Friendly Societies ami Government Superannuation Funds and the extension of such activities to include superannuation among local authorities as well as the establishment of the National Provident Fund, led to the enlargement of tho scope of the actuaries work. The new branch will be self contained.

AIINGRS AND OWNERS CONFER WELLINGTON, May 11.

An agreement made between mine, owners and miners in December, 1924, expired on 30th April and negotiations arc in progress for a. new agreement. The matter will ho discussed at a conference of representatives of the two parties opening at Recfton to-morrow. It is expected to last two days. ESTONIA. / WELLINGTON. Alay 11. The Deparmcnt of Internal Affairs lias been advised that as a result of representations by the Government of Estlionia, the. spelling of that name will ill future be Estonia. Tt is the most northerly of the Baltic provinces, formerly ])art of Russia, and now an independent Republic with a population of about a million. Its chief industry is agriculture.