DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —rER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) MASON WINS FROM CERUTI. WHANGAREI, May 22. A professional sculling race between George Ceruti (N.S.W.) and Jim Mason (Wliangnrci) for £IOO aside took place on the Whangarei River this afternoon and was witnessed by a great gathering. From an even start Mason took tho lead, displaying superior oarsmanship, and soon created a wide gap. Ho won by fifty lengths.

’ FIRE AT DUNEDIN. | DUNEDIN, May 23. Fire broke out on Saturday night in Wright, Stephenson and Go’s large pre- ' raises, utilised as a stock and station agency and grocery and saddlery stores, in High Street. A good deal of damage was done to the stock by water and the damage to the correspondence room, and the firm’s telephone exchange will exceed £IOOO. Insurances, which are held in the New Zealand Insurance Company’s office, are unknown here, being arranged by the firm’s head office in Wellington. The total damage is estimated at several thousand pounds. COUNTY ELECTION TIE. THAMES, May 20. An interesting development occurred this inorning during the official scrutiny of the result of the county elections last week. The deputy-re-turning officer at Ilikutaia announced the result as follows:—Alley, 46:

Winder, 43: Bruiiton, 42. Messrs Alley and Winder were, declared elected pending a recount Two members were required and tlie contest between Mr Brunton, tlie sitting member, and Mr Winder occasioned much local interest owing to the fact that Mr Winder was anxious to retain the Wharcpoa. ferry, to which Mr Brunton opposed on tlie ground that it was a losing proposition. The official recount this morning .gave the following result: Alley, 44 ; Brunton, 38; Winder. 38. Lots wero drawn, resulting in the election of Mr Winder.

UNEMPLOYMENT DEPUTATION AVJJLjLINGTON, May 25. A deputation introduced by Labour -VL’s.P. waited on Mr Anderson, Minister of Labour last night, relative to unemployment. The speakers urged the need for prompt Government action to deal with the matter. It was pointed out that there were several public works about the city, such as planting reserves and road extensions which could be put in hand, and the question was whether the Government would assist the local, authorities in the matter of finance, where such works were put in hand to absorb the unemployed. There were also number of waitresses and a couple of nurses out of work. Mr Anderson said so far ae ho could see, there was .not so much uiv employment as some people represented. The Government, however, was giving the question of unemployment serious consideration, and relief works were being investigated. He hoped within a few days that an organisation would be moving so that married men could he placed in works suitable for them. The Minister thought the local authorities must do their own share. Touching the question of discharged hands the Minister opined it was the duty of employers in times of trouble to relievo the position as far as pos-, siblc. The position of unemployed wtfmon was more difficult. In response to his question whether they would go into the country, a. woman member of the deputation replied affirmatively.

The Minister said lie would see what Could be done. Replying to a question regarding assistance, tlie matter of meals for single men, the Minister said they were in a better position than other men who go into the country and look for work..

SEVERE PEINALTY. WEfjLING-TON, May 24. At the Palmerston North Magis- , trate’s Court this morning, John l Joshua Swiggs, licensee of the Princess Hotel, Terrace End, ivns fined t wenfv pounds, and had his license endorsed for selling liquor to two boys under the age of twenty-one, after closing hours. The case was the outcome of the bottle throwing incident at Terrace End, wherein a bottle of beer was thrown at the engine of a train by the hoys while drunk. HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT. v AUCKLAND, May 24. A conference of seventeen local bodies in and around Auckland passed the following resolution.—“ That the time has come when the money required to meet the annual loss on hospital management and maintenance should lie borne by the consolidated fund,, and not by the individual ratepayer.” CARGO PILLAGERS. WELLINGTON, May 24. Leslie Jorgnn Nielsen. 27, in the Magistrate’s Court, admitted the theft of 12 pounds of butter, the property of the Federal Steam Navigation Company, The theft was observed by a constable on wharf duty. The Magistrate 'refused to allow probation in a case of cargo pillaging and imposed three weeks' imprisonment, new minister, Wellington, May 25. -Mr ]{. A. Wright was sworn in as Minister of Education yesterday by Chief Justice Skerrett, Acting-Gover-nor-General. The new Minister takes up the duties of office to-day. TEACHERS UNEMPLOYED. DUNEDIN, May 24. Even professions are affected hv the shortage of work. Some teachers who passed through the training college at the end of last year, have not yet found employment. Among females, unemployment is more accentuated, and cases of distress have come under notice of the Education Board. Eightyseven teachers finished training last year. Of this number, ten males and 24 females are looking for positions. INFLUENZA. WELLINGTON, May 25. The Health Department learns that the influenza now prevalent in New South Wales is simply the usual winter type of malady. SOUTH AFRICAN WAR. VETERANS. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 25. At the annual union of South African veterans last night, the President announced that official notice had been, received that the Government had agreed to give veterans who became qualified for the old age pension, a special South African War Pension of £26 per year. 4