DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[fiY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THREE HOUSES BURNT. WELLINGTON, July 7. Three houses at Eastbourne, on the east side of the harbour were burned this morning. They were at the far end of the township, and the Eire Brigade could not bo notified till a car /was obtained. They had nothing hut chemical extinguishers, as there is no water supply, and the buildings had to be allowed to burn themselves out. Iwo of them were only recently- erected. The occupants were: Messrs 1.-• eelles, J. K. Jackson, and W. Fnrenchy. The total insurances on the buildings and contents amounted to £2150. -MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD. CHRISTCHURCH, July 7. At a conference of delegates from most of the local bodies in Canterbury to-day, it was decided that they were against handing over of all highways to the Highways Board, and that they were of the opinion that the subsidy of construction should definitely- be fixed at £2 for £l, the Main Highway Board to have discretionary power to increase the subsidy when permanent materials were used.

THEFT CHARGES. NEW PLYMOUTH, July 7. At the S.M. Court, Sterling Price, radio officer and Fred Olsen, mate, of tho American schooner Margaret Sterling, pleaded guilty to receiving property stolen from the steamship Devon. Each was fined £3 IBs with costs 7s.

THEFT CHARGE. AUCKLAND, July S. At the Oneliunga Police Court a Borough Council official whose name was ordered to be suppressed in the meantime, was charged with the theft of £4 14s, the funds of the Borough Council. Sergeant Cruickshanks stated other charges pending arc practically certain and the amount would bo increased to £3OO. The accused was rem'anded to July Nth. Bail self £3OO and two sureties of £2OO each. “ SURPRISE ” PACKETS. HAMILTON, July 7. Harold David Caro, proprietor of the Great Bargain Store, recently conducted a Surprise Packet Day, on which lie sold envelopes at one shilling each, containing a ticket for an article in the store. A detective who purchased two envelopes, drew an overcoat valued at £3 and a vase. Another detective drew a mirror and a pair of boot trees. To-day Caro was charged that, by means of a certain device ho did dispose of a gentleman’s overcoat, such coat being allotted by chance.

For the defence Caro merely followed the lead set hy certain Auckland firms who held Surprise Packet Days. Magistrate Wilson said he found it difficult to reconcile the paradoxes of the law towards gambling, lint its influence was so pernicious, tliiat if it were allowed to spread, it inculcated laziness and encouraged non-produc-tion, so that when rampant, tho authorities liiad taken firm action to suppress it. This being the second conviction defendant would be fined fifteen pounds and costs.

FIR® IN BURK STORE. WEDLINGTON, July S. A. firo broke out curly this morning in a four-storcv brick building, off Lambton Quay. Tt was used ns a bulk store by the Express Coy. The damage was confined to the ground floor but the goods suffered severely. FIR El rA N ASS A IJLTED. WELLINGTON, July 8. Patrick Byrne, a fireman, was charged with assault oil William Moore, a fireman. He was remanded for a week. The latter is in the hospital in a. serious condition with a fractured skull, and his evidence will be taken there. WRESTLING. NAPIER, July 7. Advice has been received by Ike Robin from the Sydney Stadium authorities that the match arranged for him against Z.vhsssko in Sydney on July 19th., for the world’s heavyweight wrestling championship is postponed. Bob in was to have loft Napier tomorrow en 'route for Sydney.