DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[ny TELEGRAPH—rER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] FRAUD CHARGES. AUCKLAND. June 24.’ “Ho is wlilat is known as a psy-o-pliatie liar, and if ha is not checked, ho will develop info a first class fraud and social pest.” Such was .Mr Poynton’s description of Claude Capron, a smartly dressed young Englishman, who was committed for trial at the Police Court on a charge of forging a cheque for £315. Ho also was charged with converting a motor car worth £375 to his own use. The hitter charge was adjourned sine die. I lie evidence showed that the accused had been employed by the Dexters .Motors Company as a car salesman on commission. The accused told his -employers that lip had several Ipmspcew've clients, 'and 'lie took a cheque to his employer Mating that a Hawke's Bay squatter had purchased a dir for that sum.

M hen the accused did not return with another ear. the matter was reported to the police. In a statement to the arresting detective, the accused said that bo had told t!.' it story solely

to show his employers lie was a good car salesman. While he was on tho way to a cabaret in .the tjir with a young lady, he was stopped by a- member of the firm, who drove the car back to the garage.

THE UNEMPLOYED. ' OHItISTCHUItUH, .June _M, There are three unemployment organisations in Christchurch at present, namely, the Citizen’s Unemployment Committee <a body which controls the expenditure of money subscribed by the public); the Trades Hal! Unemployment Committee (which consists of Trade Union secretaries); and -.he Committee of the Unemployed (of which the Communist loader, Mr S. Fournier, is the Secrobirv and organiser) . Co-day Mr It. It. Owen, the Hon. Secretary of the Citizens’ Committee, threatened to resign unless the Trades Hall people “picked out the Communists.”

After a long discussion, ill which it was stated by the Triules I lull represontativse that the committee set nn by unemployed was no! :m oflieial one, it was agreed to defer the matter for a week.

Air Fournier, whose occupation is that of a newspaper vendor, has undertaken the distribution of food to unemployed at the 'trades Mill. The Union Secretaries state that lie is rot being paid out of the contributed funds. They were giving him small amounts out. of their own pockets.

DUNEDIN COMMITTEE. DUNEDIN. June 24. Tlio General Labourers passed a. resolution. that, because of the attitude of Sir Joseph Ward in seeking to ecudone the previous inactivity of his party, which was a factor in its political extinction, and because of his attempts and those of other politicians to discredit the representations made on behalf of unemployed citizens, a committee bo set up. this committee to be representative of all sections. FREEZING W(litres. DUNEDIN, June 21. The Burnsido'works of the New /inland Refrigerating Company will close down for the season on Wednesday next, involving the unemployment of about 75 meli. It is stated that killing in all tie southern freezing works has been less than formerly, owing to the free transportation of lambs and sheep to tne Canterbury works. TLMBEII TRADE. HAMILTON, June. 25. The future position of the timber industry was viewed with alarm by a. Virgo representative meeting of sawmillers from all districts on the Main Trunk and Rotorua line, held at Hamilton yesterday. It was stated that stocks were accumulating nt the mills to such an extent that a curtailment of the output was imperative, but in view of the large amount of unemployment the mills wore reluctant- to shorten hands, but a majority will have to work shorter hours, for some time to come. BOV SHOT. PUKEKOHE, June 25. Barney Elavell, 15, was wounded by a shot gun explosion, the charge entering his neck. PUKEKOHE. .Tune 25. The fire mentioned in the Auckland telegram was at AVaiuku girage. it was insured for £4OO. Eflorts to get. the car out, which caused the lire, failed owing to its jamming in the doorway. The Brigade were hampered by the absence of water.

BANK OFFICERS. AUCKLAND, June 25. At the annual conference of New Zealand Bank Officers Guild, the report stated tho membership was 2200 and 28 officers had secured university diplomas of banking during the year. The following officers were elected -.—President, Bnmto.ii (Wellington) ; Vice-Presidents, Savage (Auckland), Dixon (Wellington). Wrightson (Christchurch) and Caverhill (Invercargill). Auditor. Tookes (Wellington). Executive Committee, Ffulston, Connal, Red path, Barannby, O’Brien., Steel, McFadyen, O’CallagiU.m and Murphy, all of Wellington. The delegates were entertained last evening by the Auckland section at a smoke concert, about 200 bank officers including tho local managers attending.

BETTING IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 23 The 1925-26 racing season for the Auckland province concluded to-day. The figures now available show there has been a large increase in the volume of totalisntor betting, as compaietl with the previous season. The grand total of investments at the racing and trotting meetings this season amounts to £2.964,572 compared with £2,819.047 last season, an increase of £lL>.542. v

This is one indication of the gambling spirit of Aucklanders. In addition they an? investing large sums on art union tickets, while an epidemic of surprise packets to raise funds foi various causes has also set in and gives promise of continuing for some time to come. Certain church circles are openly concerned at the present situation. and are doing their best to combat it. Meanwhile. however. the gambling Aucklander is getting plenty of fun. if little return for his money. “Roll down” games have also been very popular here A SUDDEN DEATH. AUCKLAND. June 25. Captain Tsaac Corbett died suddenly this morning. Ho was president of the Auckland branch of the Merchant Service Guild. He was to have been one of the assessors at the 'Marine Inquiry to-day concerning tho wreck of tho Manaia.