DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH--PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DOMINION FINANCE. SURPLUS OYER A MILLION. WELLINGTON, May 27. Public. Accounts, for the year ended 31st March, 1920 appear in the current issue of tlie N.Z. Gazette summaries. Tnnnsactions in the- Ordinary Revenue Account during the year are as follows: Balance brought forward Ist April 1925—Receipts during the year and revenue, £24,10ti,411; Departmental and other receipts, £509,351; total £24,725,702. Expenditure (less credits in aid) during year—Permanent Charges £12,586,928; Annual Appr.ip-' nations, £9,933,155; total, £23,570,083; leaving a surplus on the year’s working of £1,155,679. Total surplus £5,306,485. In arriving at any comparison of results, as compared with the previous your, extensive allowances must be made for tile transactions involved by the Repayment of Public Debt Act, and the Government Railways Amendment Act of last session. Adjustments and their results will he explained in detail in the Financial Statement. The decrease in interest on public moneys is mainly due to the fact Lhat some L'-HIO.OCO interest on the Advances to Discharged Soldiers Settlement account has now been credited to the interest ~u the Public: Debt Redemption Fund.

ASSISTANCE TO SOLDIERS. DUNEDIN, -May 27. The Otago Soldiers’ and Dependents’ Welfare Committee, in the annual report. states: Apart from claims lodged lor financial assistance, the Committee is called upon, in any eases successfully. to secure employment for soldiers. attend to the custody or care of children, advise in business matters, secure compromise with creditors, and assist to re-establish, in tlie event ot business failure, and even to open a set of hooks, where a soldier is taking up a business, and teach him how to keep them. There is no doubt that this organisation, shaped by years of experience, lias become an integral part of the returned soldiers’ lives. A largely increased number of applications from ex-Imperial soldiers were received during the year. From, experience ranging over a number ol years, we are convinced that the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement scheme is providing New Zealand with a very desirable type of citizen. The report of tlie Patriotic Association’s Finance Committee shows that £15,000 is invested in City Corporation debentures.

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY. WELLINGTON, May 27. At the conference of the Secondary School Teachers to-day a remit was carried urging the University Senate to revise the syllabuses in history and geography for matriculation, and the junior university scholarship examination's so as to bring them into line with modern requirements. The mover declared that history and geography were the ugly sisters of the secondary school curriculum.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL MEETS CHRISTCHURCH, .May 27.

It was announced at the quarterly meeting of delegates of the New Zealand Cricket Council that the lied path Cup had boon awarded to . A. Alleott, of Auckland, for the most meritorious performance of tlie season. The Council expects shortly to receive -South Australia’s acceptance of an invitation to send a team to the Dominion. Mr Sims arrived in Loudon two days ago. and news as to the Alarylehone Club’s views on the proposed visit of a New Zealand team is expected shortly, The Secretary reported tlie loss on the Australian tour to he reduced to £686. while the Conin il’s funds were £B7O in credit. Notice of motion was given on behalf of Auckland for the annual meeting, to amend the Bluuket Shield rules lo permit of professional coaches playing. BODILY IJARAI INFLICTED. CHRISTCHURCH, Alay 28. A disturbance in which a man is alleged to have been wounded with a cutting instrument took place at AVoolston last evening. As a result John Aft-Chesney was arrested on a charge of assault, intending to coni•iiiit bodily harm, on Ernest Edward Ernshaw, aged 26, who received wounds, as a result of which he was taken to the Hospital, where his injuries were dressed. He was discharged later in the evening. .John McC-hcsney, a. labourer, 38, was charged this morning with having Assaulted with intent to cause grevious bodily harm to Ernest Ernshaw. He was remanded for a week, hail being allowed.

NORTHLAND TUNNEL. WELLINGTON. -Alay 28,

Messrs Holmes, and McLean, the Commissioners appointed by the City Council to inquire into faulty construction, of the Northland Tunnel, which was to give tramway communication with the hill top suburb, report that they consider it defective in construction which is faulty throughout and that four officers, the city engineer, surveyor, and tunnel foreman must he held responsible for the work. Including £20,500 for the tramway, the cost with approaches, etc., was £38,000 nett and the Commission estimates the cost of making the tunnel safe at an extra £4.600.

TIMEKEEPER'S AHSTAKE. DANNEVIRKE, May 28.

In connection with the match, Indian Array against Dannevirke Hockey reps, when the former on by 20 to 0;• it now transpires Hint owing to a mistake’of the timekeeper two spells of forty-five minutes each were played instead of thirty-five minutes. This gave the visitors an additional twenty minutes to show their prowess and several goals in both speels were scored in the extra time.