DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION

TRADE IN BRITAIN. WELLINGTON, July 27. The third series of the London Colonial wool sales was interrupted by the strike, states Air R. B. Beal, British Trade Commissiner, in a trade bulletin just issued. Prices at the opening were on a level with those ruling at the previous sale, although cross-bred wools were ignored by Yorkshire buyers. The price of tops in Bradford remains firm. Spinners of fine yarns had some old orders to work off, but cross-bred spinners were awaiting the revival of the export demand, when the industrial upheaval began. The settlement of the strike had had little effect on the iron and steel trades, the position being dominated by the coal trouble. As far as pig-iron was concerned, the furnaces bad , been damped down, and until makers could !,c assured or receiving adequate supplies of fuel, there seemed little prospect of them being re-started. The steel works, it was understood, bad comparatively little stocks of fuel on hand, and many of the plants could not be put in operation until the coal crisis was over.

TAR. IN 'WOOL. WELLINGTON, July 27

At a meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association last week complaints from Bradford of the use of tar for branding of sheep were considered, and the opinion was given that the wool concerned had never come from New Zealand, but from Australia and the Argentine. Nevertheless the New Zealand Farmers’ TTnion lias received a letter from the Timaru A. and P. Association stating that one of its members recently re cciveil advice that the wool which lie had sent Home had been very surprised to learn this, as he had not used tar for branding. Consequently the Association has asked the Department of Agriculture to furnish an analysis of the material used in branding the sheep, and this is nmv awaited.

ROSE’S TRIP. WELLINGTON. July 27

Commenting; on tlio oalile regarding Hose's endeavour to get a meeting -witli Nurmi, n prominent 'Wellington amateur athletic official says;

“Rose having got as far as Norway and negotiations being in train through the High Commissioner for a meeting with Nurmi, the Council of the New Zealand A:A.A. should undoubtedly cable immediately to the High Commissioner asking him to convey to Rose the request that if there is any likelihood of a meeting with Nurmi being arranged, be should postpone bis departure for America, and that, irrespective of the meeting with Nurmi, Rose should remain m Europe for any big meetings that will take place if, as a result of his training since the English championships, there is any indication of striking his New Zealand form before the proposed date of departure, A larger sum that ever lias before been subscribed in New Zealand for an athletic tour abroad was given by the publjL: undoubtedly with a view to Rose showing the Old "World of what a New Zealand first-class track athlete was capable. If there is any chance on the present tour of showing his full capabilities, it would not be dealing fairly with the subscribers il the tour were cut short before be reached his best.”

SLOT MACHINES. CHRISTCHURCH", July 28. Yes tor ilny morning Mr H. A. \ouvig. S.M.. gave his reserved decision in the cii.su in nhicli Humbert Colonna (Mr A. Kirk), wus charged with Sunday Trading, in using a slot machine from which chocolates could he obtained. When the case was heard, Air Kirk, v. ho appeared for defendant, contended that there was no offence, since there was no element of personal service present on Sundays. He cited in support of Ids contention a recent decision in a case in Australia. The .Magistrate reserved his decision in order to hare an opportunity of considering the Commonwealth Law Reports of the case cited hy Air Kirk. The reserved decision was given yesterday. The Magistrate said that defendant was charged with contravening Section ■1 (1) of the Police Offences Amendment Act. 1924, in that on a Sunday, in view of u public place, lie transacted business, namely, selling' chocolates. Defendant occupied the pro mises known as the Strand Tea Rooms, in Cathedral square, and in the •frontwall of the promises there was a slot machine from which people could obtain chocolates on Sundays hy putting coins in the slot. It seemed to liim, on the authority of the ease Spence v. Ravenseourt (18 Commonwealth Law Reports. Kin) that the re was no offence under Section 4 (1) unless something was done which involved human labour 0,1 attention on a- Sunday. The information would therefore he dismissed.

WOOL PROSPECTS. BLENHEIM, July 21. The crutch ing season in Marlborough is practically finished, and reports Horn all round are to the effect that the clip is likely to prove an exceptionally heavy one. The winter has been well-nigh perfect for stock in all parts of the province, having been remarkably mild and characterised by a continuous growth of pastures. On this occasion there lias been less need than usual for the hard feeding of stock, and the experience of many pastoralists is that they have been able to carry on without the use of chaff and hay. 4be sheep all round have been coming in wonderfully well, ns is evidenced by the weight of the crutchings, and tiie wool is of especially high quality, being clean and bright. The seasonal outlook is good, cien if the weather proves inclement in August, the sheep being in such forward condition that they will be able to stand up against it.

MINING SUIT

plaintiff non suited. WESTPORT, July 2S. Mr W. Aleldrum, Warden, gave judgment to-day in the Seddonville mining disqmte in which J. T. Dove claimed £3700 for coal alleged to have been taken from his lease l by Aforgnnti and party, and damages; and also claimed an injunction restraining the defendants from taking further coal; and on a counter-claim hy Morgan tt and party for £I7OO for damages. The Warden held that there was an expressed or implied agreement whereby the defendants were to work the area, in dispute, in which area plaintiff had a share in the profits.

The Warden disallowed the whole of the plaintiffs’ claim for damages, and declined to grant the injunctions asked for hy plaintiff. On the counter-claim, the AYarden did not- think negligence on the part of plaintiff in permitting or causing fire to enter the defendants’ working was established, and disallowed £llO4 under that heading, but allowed the other items in the counter-claim, amounting to £144 Ps Sd. On the claims the Warden allowed costs to defendants, as on a claim for £3700, with expenses, and on the conn-ter-ctaim, as defendants had failed in greater portions of their claim, he also allowed £2O costs.