DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

DUTY OF SMALL HOTELS. DUNEDIN, June 8. At tho annual meeting of the Licensing Committee, the chairman, Air ,1. R. Bartholomew, S.AL, stressed the importance of the smaller hotels giving proper attention to the requirements of tho travelling public. Some small hotels seemed to pay attention to the bar business to the exclusion of the travelling public. On the'other hand, appreciation was expressed of the efforts of the large licensees during the Exhibition stress.

Tho chairman further referred to women drinking, stating that the committee’s view was that no special, provision should be made for women resorting to hotels for **’’ drinking, but rather that this should be discouraged. £IO.OOO REWARD. FOR BLACKBERRY DESTRUCTION WELLINGTON, Juno 8. The Department of Agriculture points out that tile £IO,OOO reward ollcred for an effective method of blackberry destruction, is ill the nature of a competitive bonus. "While giving every encouragement, the Department offers no assistance to individuals seeking the solution of the problem. In some quarters the conditions under which this substantial reward lias been offered, has been misunderstood. The competitor is expected to select for himself, in any locality he chooses, at least one acre of land, which is well infested by the blackberry. This area is then inspected by the officers of tho Be*»:rtment, after which the competitor starts on his experiments, ising sprays or (any other method he chooses. At the end of nine months or so, this area is again officially inspected, but during their period of experimenting—and this is not the point not fully grasped— the competitor must keep a complete record ot the opeiations, and of the cost of treatment. The Department itself is busy investigating possible destructive agents, but so far, success lias not been achieved. Possibly, a solution of the very difficult problem may be accomplished by the discovery of a destructive parasite.

aftER-H OU R 8 D 1! INK IN G. RAI.AIER.STON X., June 8. At the annual meeting of the Licensing Bench, the transfer of the- license of the Princess Hotel to .Joshua John Swiggs was refused. The chairman said That Swiggs, at the present time, only held a temporary license, the confirmation of which had been held up on account of intoxication on the premises being permitted. In the interim Swiggs had been convicted of a very bad case of selling liquor aftei hours. The committees really were of opinion that the hotel needed rebuilding. It was not up to standard. A request on behalf of the previous licensee' of Hie hotel for a renewal of a publican’s license was adjourned to the next quarterly meeting. Tho, chairman said thare had been a good deal of complaint of after-liours drink-

The Inspector of Police: Can you name any particular hotel? The chairman: “No, it is going oil in more than one.” The police were asked to use their best endeavours to curb such a tendency. PINNED BENEATH A BUILDING ASHBURTON, June 8. Serious injuries were received by Air Peter Barrie, a farmer residing in Ford’s Road, Tinwald, yesterday-, through being pinned beneath a wharc lie was jacking up. Air Barrio was lying on his back under the structure, taking some bolts out of tlu3 axle, when the jack slipped and the edge of the wliare fell on his abdomen. TTo was alone at the time, but in a few minutes lie was discovered by his little step-son who quickly informed Mrs Barrie of what had happened. Seizing a spade, Airs Barrie attempted to dig her husband out. hut assistance from employees of tha Ashburton Power Board, who were working in the vicinity, was forthcoming, and Air Barrio, who was in a semi-conscious condition, was soon released. He was attemleil by Dr Byburn. and was admitted to Ilia hospital suffering from internal injuries.

Last night lie was operated on. and a blood transfusion was found to be necessary. This information was received by a neighbour, who, with two ot his employees, offened themselves ns subjects for the necessary operation. One of the employees, Air Alee Chalmers, was chosen, and the operation was performed.

-Mi’ Barrio’s condition last nigh was dangerous, but to-day nl thong' his position is still critical, it is slight l.v improved.