DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

(BY TELEGRAPH- -I'ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE NEW AIINISTER. WELLINGTON, June 12. Concerning the appointment of Air I\. S. AYilliams, as member of Public Works, the Prime Alinister, Air Coates, makes tho following statement:— “In the course of my statement some weeks ago regarding Alinisterial appointments and changes in portfolios, I stated that with a view to lessening the load I was carrying, it was my intention at an early date to relinquish the portfolio of Public Works, which I have hedd for some years. I have accordingly tendered his Excellency my resignation of this position, and Mv T\. S. AYilliams, ALP., for Bay of

Plenty, will he appointed to the vacant portfolio. Air AYilliams will he sworn in as a member of the Executive Council immediately, and will assume the duties of his office at once. “ I feel confident that Afr K. S. Williams. as a. practical farmer, with lifelong experience and knowledge of tho requirements of our country districts. and what one may term a baokhlaeks settler, will render good and efficient service. He possesses also a long experience of local government, and has always shown practical sympathy with the pioneer and the wageearner. I know that men employed in the Public Works Department will have in their new Afinister an interested and large-hearted ‘ boss.’

“The appointment of AH AA’illiams brings Cabinet now up to full working strength. I should like to repent that where there are so many eligible members of the Party which 1 have the honour to lead, T have found the task of making the selection of new Alinislors no easy one. I know it is impossible in these matters to give universal satisfaction, hut I have endeavoured to pick a team that will, T believe, give of their best in the service of the Dominion. DAAfAGES AWARDED. 11A AI f LTON. June 11. A claim for CIGIS damages for injuries received whilst employed at To lvnwn quarries, near Te Awamutti. was heard before Air Justice Tferdman and a jury in the Hamilton Supreme Court. Plaintiff was James Floyd, labourer, To Kuili, and the defendants Thomas G. Afartin, farmer and AA’illiam Dunedin Ross Mefurdie, engineer, formerly carrying on business in partnership at Te Txawa, under the style of the To Txawa. Quarry Co.

In summing up, his Honour described the claim as a ridiculous one. ITo thought some of the jury might even regard it as preposterous. Plaintiff, to his Honour’s mind, suffered from a bruise, and after sleeping on the claim for six months, now came forward 'ami brought an action for this large amount of money. After a retirement of three and a half hours,' the jury returned a verdict in favour of plaintiff, awarding him £3OO.

William Alexander Annan was awarded £8.30 damages in a claim for £IO3O for the loss of three fingers of the right hand, which were severed bv a goose saw while cutting slabs in tho Ongarue Sawmill Co.’s mill.

LEPERS OF AIAKOGAT. AYKLLTXGTON, June II

Tn a. statement to-day, .Sir Ainu! Pomare. as a- result of his recent visit, to the leper station at Afakogai, draws attention to some urgent requirements, including wireless and iceplant. He makes an appeal for a hall in which to install the cinema already provided and also for funds for tho rest homo of the nursing sisters of the Order of Alary, whose work and devotion ate worthy of all help. There are now over 400 lepers on the island, including about 1 Of) from .Samoa, flic C ml; Islands, Niue, and a few from New Zealand.

GENEROUS BEQUESTS. AUCKLAND, June 11. The late David Goldie, whose long life of service to the community was brought to a close on Tuesday, has given citizens of Auckland still lurthcr cause' to honour his memory by bequeathing to them a splendid area ol native hush in the Waitakerc Ranges, and making a number of handsome bequests to public institutions in the ei tv.

Tho section of native hush which AH Goldie lias bequeathed to the eiiv of Auckland, to he held as a public reserve, has an area of 175 acres, ft is known as Goldie’s Rush, and is situated about 23 miles from tho city, and about four miles from the Wuitakero railway station. The area is covered with beautiful hush, which contains line totara and kauri trees.

Following are additional bequests made hv Air Goldie: Blind Institute, £1000; Auckland .Museum. £1000; Karitaiie Home. £SOO ; Salvation Army, St. Alary’s Home. Otahulm, £500; Y.W.C.A.. £.300 ; Flying Angel .Mission, £250; Y.AI.Q.A., £250; Knox Home lor Incurables, £250; Young Citizens’ League. £125; Rov Scout organisation, £125. In addition there is a bequest to the Alexandra street Methodist School of £5 annually for library hooks. UNEMPLOYED. CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. AYe should go along to the Hospital Board and demand food, if we need it: and we should be able to go along with something more than the asking behind our--request 1 So said a speaker at a meeting of about 50 of the unemployed Ibis morning.

Resolutions were carried setting up a committee and deciding to telegraph asking the Premier to fulfil his promise and provide work at adequate wages.