DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WAIKATO’S RECORD SHOAV. HAMILTON, June 7. After a phenomenally successful run, extending over five days, and with all precious records eclipsed, the gate takings alone showing an increase of £260 on last year, the Waikato Winter Show closed on Saturday evening. So satisfied have been the exhibitors with the business that many have already renewed their applications for space at- next year’s Show. OHO COLATE PARLOUR S. CHRISTCHURCH, June 7. The City Council to-night received a ]>etition from thirty-nine confectioners, askng that no more licenses lie granted to “Roll Down” parlours. During the discussion, it transpired that one parlour has been open in the city for a fortnight, unknown to the By-Laws Committee. It was decided to cancel permission for that proprietor immediately, and to grant, no more licenses. GIPSY PARTY ARRIVE. AUCKLAND, June 7. A family of gipsies, who arrived from Sydney to-day, as third class passengers o.n the Aorangi, have been refused permission to land in New Zealand, [lending instructions from the Comptroller of Customs, and possibly also from the Attorney-General. ’file party comprises twenty men, women and children. If it is decided to return them to Australia, they will probably bo placed aboard the Marama, which sails on Friday. A SERIOUS CRIME. AUCKLAND; June 7. Robert Stewart Banner was found guilty at the Supremo Court on. four charges of indecent assaults on Maori boys at Rn-wcno. He was sentenced by Mr Justice Stringer to seven years’ hard labour. Counsel for the accused had raised the point that the jury were misdirected. The-Judge said the verdict was correct, hut there were things that might influence the Governor-in-Council to grant a new trial. The accused, his Honour added, was a menace to the community. UNEMPLOYMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, June 7. The following reply lias been received by Mr H. O. Browne, President of tlio Now Zealand Natives’ Association, from tlio Minister of Lands, Hon. A. D. McLeod, in answer to a telegram sent by him, calling upon the Minister to withdraw a statement, Air McLeod, made at Christchurch, that unemployment was no worse than in the last two years, and that a political cry was being iriado out of it—“ Your telegram received, I sec no. reason for retracting the statement I made in Christchurch. Your own telegram shows that the first object of your Association is to discredit the Government’s immigration policy.—A. D. McLeod.” <) VMVR.U CLUBS COMBINE. OAMARU, June 7. As the result of negotiations between the Oamaru Racing and Trotting Clubs to-night it was decided to co-operate and hold their meetings on the Racecourse. The Trotting Club agreed to spend pound for pound with the Racing Club up to four thousand on improvements, and on the alteration, erection, and removal of huihlings. In explaining tlie position, Air H. S. Orb ell, of tlio Racing Club, said tliat during the past five years, the Club bad carried on at a loss of £3,400. or nearly £7OO a year. On tlie other hand, tlio Trotting. Club has made substantial profits.

SIX SHOPS BURNT. TAUATARANUI, June 7. At 2 o’clock on Sunday morning a disastrous fire broke out in Riddell’s billiard room at Matiere. Tlio fire spread to Gordon’s drapery and grocery store on the one side and to AV. Peckham’s bakery and tea-rooms on the other side. The blaze spread thence to H. Percy’s boot-maker shop, and to an unoccupied butcher’s shop, all of which places were destroyed. Then? was nothing saved, except the contents of the bakery and the bootmaker’s shop, two motor cars and a motor lorry were also saved. A motor cycle was destroyed. The origin of the tire is unknown. Tb? insurances are not available. DUNEDIN FIRE. DUNEDTN, June 7. At 10.30 this evening, a building in Aforay Place, owned by the Shand Estate, and occupied by Reilly’s Fruit A Tart and Carter Motors, was badly gutted by fire. Tbe building was an old one, and it burnt fiercely. Carter’s motors bad twenty cars all damaged, though they were saved. Reilly’s contained £6OOO worth of stock, produce, wheat, oats, fruit, potatoes, etc. It is feaned that very little of this was saved. The insurances are not available. TOO ALUCH RACING. CHRISTCHURCH,' June 8. At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday evening A. D. Ford, wrote, stating that owing to the exploitation of tbe betting, the public of tbe city by the country racing clubs holding their meetings at Riccarton. retail firms found it increasingly difficult to-secure the payment of 'their accounts. All this was seriouslv interfering with the running of business. Another member said there should be a protest about the number of raoe-days. I think it is a disgrace in a country like tins that so much is spent on racing. A strong protets should go forward. F. KClimie said that the usual excuse for holding of country meetings at Riccarton was the poverty of funds and that the racing track was out of order. Th? matter was referred to the Retail Traders’ Conference. LOAD-LINE SUBMERGED. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 5.

This morning, Captain Lapping, in command of the schooner Margaret F. •Sterling, was fined £25 for bringing !j K , vessel into port with her load-line submerged. Lapping pleaded guilty, but- excuesd himself on tbe ground that the law was not known in America. He also produced a certificate given by tbe Board'of Marine Underwriters at San Francisco. Tbe vessel arrived her© on Afay 28t1i., but ballot begun discharge because tbe Captain’s credit lias not arrived, and tlie crew’s wages cannot bo paid. It is understood that on two occasions during the voyage from Tacoma to Puget Sound, portion of the deck cargo of lumber bad to be jettisoned. The Captain expects to have his credit established before Monday and to commence discharge then. The vessel was formerly named A T aTicouver,