DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[b? TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] COAL .MININC CASE. WESTPORT, July I. The hearing of the mining case. J. T. Dove, claim £3700, for coil alleged to have been taken from his lease by Morgan to and Parly, and damages, and tho counter eluim by Morgante and Party for £1,700 for damages to drive, and losses of coal caused thereby, through the plaintiff piercing a fire area, was resumed to-dny by Hr W. Mcldrum, Warden, who sat until a late hour to-night, when a further hearing was adjourned until July 15.

EM Pi R E PAR LI A M.EXTARY ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, June 30. A meeting of the New Zealand branch of tho Empire Parliamentary Association was held to-day, Sir Walter Carncross presiding. One of the principal subjects for discussion was an invitation from the Commonwealth branch for New Zealand to be represented in Australia next September. The meeting decided that four delegates be appointed, one from the Legislative Council and one from each party in the House of Representatives to be nominated later. The following officers were elected:— Presidents, Sir Walter Carncross and the Hon C. E. Statham ; vice-presi-dents, Sir Francis Bell, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Messrs Coates and H. E. Holland; treasurer. Mr Malcolm; honorary auditors, the Hon TV. Downic Stewart and Hr J. S. Dickson; honorary secretary. Air A. F. Lowe; Executive Committee, the foregoing with the Hon James Craigie. Sir William HnllJones. the Hon K. Newman, the Hon G. J. Smith, the Hon K. S. ’Williams, Sir Joseph Ward, and -Messrs George Forbes. E. J. Howard, J. Savage and T. K. Sidey.

ANOTHER BURG rARY. ASHBURTON, July 2. A second burglary within ft week took place at A. T. Wilson and Co.’s shop whore thieves forced’a hack window. taking 40s from a coat hanging ill the shop. They also took three shillings from the till and a small quantity of cigarettes.

RAIDWAY INSTITUTE. WELLINGTON, July I. Tho annual conference of tl'e Jailway Officers’ Institute concluded today. During the afternoon, delegates waited on the members of the Railway Board and placed a number of tho decisions of the conference before them. The proceedings throughout were most pleasant and cordial. At the conclusion, the members of the Board were heartily cheered. Owing to pressure of Parliamentary duties, the Prime Alinister was unable to bear the representations it had been decided to bringunder his notice, and this it was decided to leave to its Executive Committee to perform when a suitable opportunity was offered. It was decided, owing to lack ol members’ support, that no lurther action be taken in regard Lo the widows’ pensions scheme.

The Executive Committee was authorised to make full enquiries regarding the cost of a suitable building to replace the one at present in use. and the bead office was asked to make recommendation as to methods ot financing tho proposals. The election of 1 oliicers resulted:— President, X. li. J. Stanley (Wellington) t Vice-Presidents, R. S. Skinner (Auckland), AY. A. Finlayson (Wellington) and J. J. AloAlo.m Aletliven (Canterbury) ; General Treasurer, L. Barclay; auditors, AY. Bishop, E. 11. Alittgton ; Executive Committee (resident in Wellington): A. S. Henderson (Maintenance Branch), E- Barnes (loco), \ . C. Hardy (stores), J. I>. Goodley, R. (L Croud is, A. G. Brown and J. AlumDonald (trailic).

A KISS IN THE DARK. CHRISTCHURCH, July 2. Herbert John Lilly, a youth, was convicted and admitted to probation for three years on a charge of attempting to kiss a girl in the Lyttelton train and breaking a pane of glass.

ESCAPEE SENTENCED. TACMARUNUI, July 2. Clarence Amos Woods, who was ro■aptured recently alter escaping from Makatote prison camp, was sentenced :o six month’s imprisonment with hard labour by the Magistrate. Air OilWalker, who said tbe sentence would be a warning to others. Accused is at present serving two years lor abduction. BUTTER FAT RECORD. GORE, July 2. Gretta, a Freison cross is said to hold the record of the the best butter fat producing cow under test m the Dominion for 1925-26 season. Five years ago Gretta was sold to the butcher but owing to being in calf was bought by Robert Pryde of Alatam.i. She proved a winner and her record for tho season being 294 milking days and 15,126 lbs of milk and 766.53 lbs of butter-fat. The daily average ot milk w’is 51 lbs and the average test for the season 5.C6.

TRAINS HELD UP. TAUMARUNUI, July 2. A hold-up occurred on the Alain Trunk railway last night when the Limited from Auckland broke the main driving axle two miles south of Rakahi. The ordinary express lrom Auck,,iul was detained at Taumarunui until 6.30 this morning and was then sent to link up with the Limited, and the two trains continued together to Wellington. 'Hie Limited express from the south wms consequently delayed and left Taumarunui at 8.3 J iu id the whole local time-fiible was disorganised for some time. a burglary. AL'ARTON, July 2A second burglary within.three days occurred at Kiernan’s butchery, Minton Junction. The premises were broken mien, the cash register smushod and about tiyo pounds stolen. Unshops stands in an isolated position ami was only recently occupied b> the present proprietor. \ BIG FIRE. CAMBRIDGE, July 2.

\n old landmark, the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company’s two-stoned premises, comprising grocery, bnrduare, and drapery departments and exte - sive officers was totally destroyed last evening l»y fire. Although the Bngade were on the scene m a tew moments. the Humes had a good hod The old building was erected neailj half a century ago. and as there was no hope of saving it. efforts were concentrated on the Central Hotel, separated by a brick wall. Hus. which included Banfield's hairdressing saloon caught several times, but was saiet , hut badly scorched. After most of tho contents were removed the buildin* was flooded with water, much damage resulting. With the exception of the office lmoks and records, nractieallv little of the farmers’ stock was saved, the estimated value of which was £15,000. Insurance on Farmers buildimr. £BOO, stocks £12.500. fittings and fixtures £4OO. The policies are jointly hold bv the Farmers’ Coy. and N.Z. Insurance Coy. The hotel aas owned by James Fleming of Tuakau. the occupier being M. Jury. Insurances are not available. Banfteld saved all his stock, but his shop was flooded