DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

(.BY TELEGRAPH- -PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

SMUGGLED OPIUAI

INDIAN HAWKER FINED.

WELLINGTON, July 22. I hat the efforts of the Customs Department to suppress the smuggling of opium into New Zealand are meeting with some .success was evidenced in the Magistrate’s Cpurt'to-day when Natha A ittnl, an Indian fruit hawker, pleaded guilty to bringing four and a half pounds of opium into the country. Mr MacLaurin l , Collector of Customs, said that \ ittal was one of a number of Indians who returned to New Zealand by the-Mamma on July 20. His luggage was taken to an address in Tory Street, but no arrangements had been made for his lodging there, and his luggage was dumped out in the back-yard. Apparently the opium was taken out of duo of his cases and hidden in a stable in Sturdee Street, where it was later found by a Customs officer.

“It is solid opiuni, worth anything up to £390 in New Zealand,” said Air MacLaurin, “and I ask " for a 'substantial line. Even if only one or two of these parcels of opiuni get, through the profit on them is sufficient to pay for the fines of those men who may be caught.

Air Page, S.M., imposed a fine of £IOO.

' GLYArPTC GAAIKS. DOMINION It El’ll ESEXTATIOX. WELLINGTON, July 22. A meeting of delegates from sports bodies called to go into the matter of New Zealand’s representation at the Olympic Games at Antwerp in 1928, at Los Angeles in 1932. was held foniglit, when, there was a large and representative gather ill gt Tt was explained that during the lasttwo or three years interest in Olympic matters had gone back. Motions supporting the objects for which the Olympic Games were established, and that New Zealand should he adequately represeuted at same were passed. Representatives of all sports present approved of the proposals that New Zealand should he represented at the games. ’• It was decided that .Mr H. Harris, of Otago, who was going lo the International Rugby Conference as New Zealand representative, should go as New Zealand representative to the Ri itish Olympic Association. POSTAL REVENUE.

WELLINGTON. July 22. The postal revenue for the quarter ended June 30 totalled £380,378, compared with £350,958 a year ago. Telegraph revenue amounted to £476,019, against £457,073 in the corresponding period last year (these figures include £275.547 from telephone exchanges, compared with £270.982 in the June quarter of 1925). Savings Bank deposits in the same period amounted to £7,907,387 am! withdrawals to £7,(543,-

443. the excess of deposits thus being £323,894. In the corresponding quarter of 1925, deposits, £8,290,799, showed an excess of £533,921 over withdrawals. In the quarter just ended, 24.001 accounts were opened and 18,991 closed. A year ago the figures were respectively 24,455 and 18,014. FIRE engine; ACCIDENT. AUCKLAND. July 23. AYlion returning from a fire this morning the Remuera Fire Brigade engine capsized through the bursting of a back tyre. The driver, D. Catley and Fireman A. Noon, were pinned beneath the machine hut Fireman G. Swanson was thrown clear. Ihe driver sustained head and body injuries, hut not- serious. The others escaped with slight: injury.

11 OTAIIIAN’S SCHEME. AIASTERTON, July 22. At the annual meeting of the Masterton Rotary Club ,to-night, the Distrist Governor, Rotarian AV. E. Herbert, outlined a scheme be intends placing before the Rotarians of New Zealand to assist Air Clutha Mackenzie's appeal for funds to provide musical instruments and tuition for blind hoys, so that they might form an orchestra and impart the beatuy of music into their darkened lives. He proposed to ask Rotarians in each centre to solicit the aid of professional musicians in staging a concert, the proceeds from which would be forwarded to the Blind Institute as a gift from the professional musicians of New Zealand.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS. . HAMILTON. July 22. The annual Dominion conference of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand decided to obtain a ruling from the Supreme Court on the question of the amount of commission to be- allowed .on sides by order of the registrar, whether commission is to he on equity only or on the whole price of the property sold. It was also decided to take steps to prevent the operation of touts who, owing to their character, are unable to obtain land agents’ licenses. .

Among the remits carried was one that all affiliated associations be urged to encourage their members to supersede the title of land agent by the title of real estate agent. It was also resolved to take steps to obtain a uniform tariff, and, further, that steps he taken to urge the Government to stop the iniquitous practice' hv which 5 per cent of the total area of land subdivided for sale is confiscated for public purposes without compensation, the. institute being of opinion that when such land is required for public purposes the owner should he reimbursed at the rate of the last Government valuation for the land so required.