DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

BREACH OF BANKRUPTCY ACT. AUCKLAND, July 22.

Arthur Henry Sherwood was committed for trial on a charge of a breach of the Bankruptcy Act in that lie left New Zealand without paying his debts, taking part of his property. The accused stated at the meeting of his creditors, that he placed £301) on one horse at a race meeting this month. INFUEXZA. AUCKLAND, July 22. To date “8 eases of pneumonic influenza are reported in the Auckland district. During the last twenty-four hours 24 cases have been reported, with one death.

SOUTHLAND BUNS. DUNEDIN, July 21. A deputation from the B.S.A. headed by Mr E. J. Anderson, president, approached the High School Board of Governors to-day and urged the subdivision of two leased runs at Mokoicta, in Southland, which, the speakers stated, could he cut up into holdings, each capable of carrying 2500 sheep. The Hon D. T. Fleming, chairman of the Finance Committee, replied and promised that the Board would give the matter the fullest consideration.

BOOKMAKERS FINED. HASTINGS, July 21

Francis William Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court today to using his premises of a billiard •saloon as a common gaming-house. The police stated that defendant’s hooks showed that in the last two years he had received £7OOO, but it was only lair to say that a large part of this money was from rents and other legitimate sources. It was impossible to say what was legitimate and what was not. Defendant was lined £25. Percy Astridge pleaded guilty to two charges of laying totalisntor odds. His bonks for the day on which he was caught showed that he handled £6O. He was lined £5 on one charge, and convicted and discharged on the other.

BUS REGULATIONS. WELLINGTON, July 21

The Select Committee of the House of Representatives set up to consider the Motor-Omnibus Regulations held its first public meeting to-day, for tbo purpose of bearing evidence for and against tlie petitions recently presented to Parliament. Evidence of the keen interest which is being shown in the matter was provided by the fact that B Committee Room, in the old library wing of Parliament Buildings, was uncomfortably crowded when proceedings commenced. So much was this the case that an adjournment to the Joint Committee Room was made after the Committee had been sitting for a quarter of an hour. All parts of New Zealand wore represented. including all the main Muni, cipal authorities. Mr E. P. Lee, the chairman of the Committee, presided, and the following members were present: The Hon. K. S. Williams, Messrs V. H. Potter. M. J. Savage, P. Fraser,

C. E. Macmillan, G. W. Forbes, J. Dickson, T. K. Sidov, E. J. Howard, If. L. Tnpley, and H. Holland. The chairman apologised for the absence of the Prime Minister on account of indisposition.

REV. JAMES PATERSON. WELLINGTON, July 21. The (loath has occurred of the Rev. .Tames Paterson, aged ninety-five. For thirty-five years he was Minister of St John’s Presbyterian Church, during which time he was greatly beloved by his people. In the course of his ministry he rendered valuable service to the city and country. TTo was born in the parish of Kirkoswald, Ayrshire. and educated in the Grammar School at Girvatt. Subsequently he studied in the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. When twelve he used to teach the farmers to write in order to provide moans to pay for his own education. Tie was inducted to St Peter’s, Liverpool, in 1857, and came to New Zealand in 1808, and was inducted to St John’s in Novcmgcr of that year. Tt was not till 1903 that he laid down his ministry. Jfe was succeeded by Dr Gibb, but continued to hold the position of senior minister until his’denth. Mr Paterson twice occupied the position of moderatorin 1876 and 1992. For over a quarter of a century he was a member of the New Zealand University Senqte. Mrs Paterson died fourteen years ago.

RECORD POTATO CROP. WELLINGTON, July 21. Tt is expected that the Dominion’s potato crop of the season just closed will nearly reach the yield of 1908-9. Some very interesting figures of the crop, compiled by tho Government Statistician, were made available by the Hon 11. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs. “From the Statistician’s report fur-* nished to me,” said Air Bollard, “it seems that the potato crop has this year evoked great interest on the part of merchants, brokers and farmers alike. About nine months ago the area under this crop was estimated at 22,500 acres, hut the actual figures show that this has been slightly exceeded, the interim figure being a little more than 23,000 acres. Based on the average yield for tho five seasons ending with 192-1-25 it was thought that a total yield, of 123,300 tons could bo anticipated. Preliminary figures collected by personal canvass, however, showed that over 135,000 tons were dug or expected to he dug by growers throughout the Dominion. Now that the crop is practically all lifted verification cards have been posted to growers, and judging by those already returned there should be an increase of at least 10,000' tons on this figure, making a total of not less than 145,000 tons. It must he noted, however, that the figures quoted include table, seed and pig potatoes. In the light of the figures obtained it is expected that the average yield will lie second only to that of the record 1908-9 season.”

AVATMAKARIRI SCRUB LANDS. WELLINGTON, July 21. The Commissioner of State Forests informed the Hon D. Buddo that the State Forest Service has had special reports made on the Waimnkariri scrub lands and is fully alive to their great advantages for afforestation. If the necessary funds can he allocated and the necessary land secured at a reasonable price it is hoped to start preliminary forestry operations in the near future.

CAR GOES OVER BANK. CHRISTCHURCH, July 23. A mail ear went over tho Bank at Okains’ Bay, Banks Peninsula. The driver, J. Reed, broke his collar-bone. Only one passenger was uninjured though the ear overturned thrice.

AUCKLAND FIRES. AUCKLAND, July 22. There were four outbreaks of fire in tbo city to-day .making a total of rune in two days. Several were in office buildings in the city, and they were subdued before any serious damage was caused.

Mr AY. L. AA’ilson, Superintedent of tbo- Fire Brigade, said the circumstances pointed to the operations rf a ‘fire bug.” He referred particularly to the fire at His Majesty’s Arcade last niglit, when a bundle of papers was found burning behind a locker. This fire, lie said, was certainly suspicious, as the papers had evidently been taken from the top of the locker and placed between the locker and the wall before being ignited. Mr "Wilson, referring to tbo fact that a suspicious fires had been located in buildings used as offices, .said it was easy for anyone to wander round such a building without arousing suspicion, making it difficult to detect a. person intent on arson. He recalled that there was a similar epidemic of fires earlier in the year.

An offer of one hundred pounds reward by the Auckland Fire Board for information leading to the arrest of persons wilfully causing fires is understood still to lie available.

THEFT FROAI TQBACCOXLS! AUCKLAND, July 22.

A young man named Raymond Francis Woodley Grigg, pleaded not guilty at the Police Court to a charge of breaking and entering a tobacconists’ shop and stealing cigarettes, tobacco and toilet requisites valued at £l7 Is Bd. AYhen the detective visited tlio accused’s apartments on June 29 with a search warrant accused bolted and was not re-arrested. Rubber gloves, rubber shoes, jemmy and other house-breaking implements were found on the premises as well as the goods alleged to be stolen from the tobacconist.

With reference to another charge against tlie accused "of having in bis possession moulds lor making resemblance of current coin, accused’s sis-ter-in-law stated in evidence that while she resided with a sister at Devonport, the sister showed her his moulds for making half-crowns and . sovereigns. The caso is proceeding.

FROSTS IN SOUTH LAND. INVERCARGILL, July 22

Heavy frosts are the order here just now. Eleven degress (the highest recorded so far this year) was experienced to-day. Prior to July there were very few frosts, the- worst being six degress on Juse 3. In the present month tbo following frosts have be-'II recorded:—l4tli, seven degrees; 19th, three; 20tli, five; 21st, seven; 22nd. eleven. Beautiful sunshine succeeds tbo frosts each morning and generally perfect winter weather conditionsnre prevailing.

£-1000 RAISED. CHRISTCHURCH. .July 22. Public subscriptions, to the local unemployment fund organised by the Citizens Committee having now reached £2,019, (ho subsidy of £2,000 granted by the City Council Ims been fully earned, making a total of £4019 thus available fb’r the relief of the unemployment in the city.