DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

SCHOONER ASHORE. AUCKLAND, July 29

The auxiliary schooner, Teine Y inenla, formerly War Lord, which left Auckland for Apia on June Iff went ashore at Nakumona Island, Union Group, a, week ago. A tug is standing by and it is expected the vessel will he refloated. She has a crew of ton, Captain G. George, Chief Officer C. Waehiii, Second Officer Adams, Chief ,Engineer W. Messenger.

FLOOD DETAILS.

PALMERSTON NORTH, July 29

The flood waters-in Rangiotu District are steadily receding, but lenccs are still covered along the IFoxton road, and the railway line to Foxton remains submerged for fair distances. I* lood waters arc pouring over eastwards to the Manawatu River, and gouging out the ballasting. Many washouts occurred along tlie line. In one place, five chains of track have, been lifted bodily and washed up against a fence. A Power Board party out inspecting poles jn a. boat yesterday reported seven left of water on Foxton Road in places.

MAORI MONEY. HASTINGS, July 29.

Natives from all parts of the province arrived hero to-day for the Land Purchase Board payout of £17,750 sterling for Pnketirii block. Among the 150 Maoris who participate in the distribution of the money, many receive only very small amounts, but others get up to £6OO sterling.

THE UNEMPLOYED. TIMARU. July 29,

A meeting of the unemployed was hold here to-day. It was decided to send the following resolution to Hon. Mr Rolleston, M.P., for Timaru: “We respectfully request you to bring before the notice of the Prime Minister the urgent need of creating- Government work for fully two hundred men, with a view of helping them over the next two months. Most of these men have families, and are in poor circumstances.' The local bodies cannot copo with the position.”

TYPHOID VICTIM. AUCKLAND, July .29.

Tlio Pukekohe correspondent of the “•Herald” states The conditions under which a. Maori family was found to be living at Maungatangi (a farming district about 20 miles from Pokeno) were the subject of strong comment by the coroner, Air C. K. Lawr.ic, and by Dr Norman Bull, who wore called to the place yesterday afternoon to hold an inquest concerning the death yesterday morning of the throe-year-old child, Tama Ramanui. The doctor found that the child had died by typhoid fever. A brother aged six years, and a sister, aged 12 years, were also seriosuly ill with the disease. The brother was too ill to he moved, hut the sister was taken to the Auckland Hospital. I

The whole family, together with tlio body, were found huddled round a fire in a wliare about 15 feet long and 8 feet wide. On the six-year-old hoy there were about six. covering of clothing, and the child was in an unwashed state. The parents were farmers, and had a European house on the property, but they did not seem to reside in it. The father, Aotunoa Tamati Ramanui, said the- child Tama became ill at Whakatane on July 14th, where they were attending the recent ceremony or the unveiling' of the monument to a prominent chief. They obtained medicine from a chemist, and brought the

child bnjck to Mangatangi. Both parents said they wore believers in Ratana, but that, if they had considered the child was dangerously ill, they

ould have summoned a doctor.

In returning a verdict of death from typhoid fever, the coroner warned tho parents that a squalid state of affairs, such as that revealed, could not ho tolerated in a civilised country, and any beliefs they held must not deter

them from summoning medical assistance milen a. child became ill. 1 The outbreak of typhoid is receiving the attention of the Health Department. The health inspector at Pukckoho. Mr T. C. 'Thompson, proceeded to Mangatangi this morning.

AN ACQUITTAL. AUCKLAND, July 29. A verdict of “ not guilty ” was returned in the Supreme Court to-nigjht in the case of Daniel Diehard Francis Glennon, charged with negligently driving the Parnell fire engine in Newmarket on March 19th, thereby causing the death of Elizabeth Jane Power. The only dispute on the facts was the speed of the fire engine and the position of the woman when she was struck.

In summing up, the Judge said that while a fire engine had no additional rights over a road, it would he contrary to commonsense to say that the drivers of fire engines must be judged upon exactly the 4 same principles as the drivers of ordinary motor cars. While they had no special privileges, they were expected to got to theii destination as quickly as possible,, foi not only property, but also life might depend on their despatch. After a retirement of over three hours, the jury acquitted the accused, adding a rider that it would he desirable if sirens were installed at Newmarket "to clear* the streets before the approach of fire engines.

TXDUSTR fES DEPARTMENT. WELLINGTON. July 28

Exports during 1925 were over two and a half millions greater than in 1924, but im]>orts advanced •by nearly past five years the average annual ex(£4,000,000. and the so-called favourable balance of trade amounted in the past year to approximately £2,800,000, says the annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce. Over the past five years the average annual excess of exports has been only £3,869,786. The Dominion bins maintained its position as a leading supplier of iSamoan requirements, but there is room for considerable expansion. The progress of manufacturing industries in the Dominion has been appreciable, and in certain industries marked advance in production is recorded.. In some instances the year Vos distinctly unsatisfactory, more particularly regarding the footwear, woollen and clothing industries. Better organisation for classifying hemp ife, essential to the maintenance of du’r existing position in the European markets, and very strong action is required to secure (appreciable development of this trade.

FIRE AT RIVERTON. INVERCARGILL. July 30. A fire at Riverton at two this morning destroyed .T. C. Nerses’ garage and an adjoining blacksmith shop. Four cars were destroyed, including a charabanc insured for six hundred. Other cars were privately owned. The buildings were insured for £BOO.