DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BV TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. A FATAL FALL. WELLINGTON. August 31. John Ballard, a labourer, employed in painting an oil tank at Miramar, fell from the top yesterday and died a few hour's later in the hospital, having suffered injuries to his stomach by the fall. “GIPSY” SMITH. AUCKLAND, Aug. 31. At “Gipsy” Smith’s meeting last night a man rose in the audience and asked whether he (Smith) could not make up any deficiency in the collections from the £IO,OOO lie made in Australia. Questioned as to his authority for this statement the interrupter replied: “It was published in a New Zealand paper.” “Then,” said “Gipsy” “it is a lie. I did not come to New Zealand to repudiate it. I had done so before I came here.” A PROTEST. WELLINGTON, Aug. 31. The Public Morals Committee of the Methodist Church of New Zealand has passed a resolution protesting against the Licensing Bill.

RIVER BOARD ENQUIRY. PALMERSTON NORTH. Aug. 31. The sitting of the .Manawatu-Oroua River District (ommissionev Inquiry into the River Board’s L'450.000 Flood Control scheme was continued this morning, when the Chairman of the Board (Mr Carter) continued his evidence. In answer to Mr Leighton, a member of the Commission, who asked if the scheme would materially increase the productivity of the land affected, witness said it would have a beneficial effect by allowing for the sale wintering of stock, growing of crops and like matters. F. C. Hay (Engineer to the Board) said the whole watershed affecting the area proposed to he protected comprised 1.536.000 acres of which 857.600 were east of Tararna and Ruabine Ranges. The watershed drained areas from Maurieeville to the north of Orniomlville. and sixty miles of the eastern slopes of Tarn run and Ruahiiie Ranges, which had a heavy rainfall.

ARBITRATION COURT. CHRISTCHURCH. Aug. 31. New Zealand l-'edeTaied. -Painters and Decorators Union applied for a new award to the Arbitration Court to-day with wages at the rate of 2s !)d hourly. ALLEGED MURDER. THWART. Auckland 31. There were few people in the Magistrnte's Court o-dav, when the charge of having murdered Duval Earle England at Makikihi on July 29th was preferred against Owen .Joseph Francis McKee. The case had been adjourned several times by the police and the fact •that lew people were present in the Court was due to the public not knowing that tlie case was to lie heard. Accused, who was seated throughout the hearing, took an interest in all evidence that was tendered. Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M.. was on the bench and accused was represented by A. D. Mcßae. W. E. Ongley conducted tincase for the prosecution. Lengthy evidence was called. THE RIVER FALLS. DUNEDIN. August 3). Reports show a varying lull of the Kawarau River from 4ft in some spots to lift at Cromwell development company’s weir. Many gorge claim holders are having a try-nut this morn iug hut major operations are not likely before late in the afternoon or tomorrow. STRATFORD RAILWAY. STRATFORD, August 31. At a meeting of 1 he Progress League last night, the following resolution was passed “ Stratford Progress League regrets the Minister of Public Works has not boon able to put a larger sum than Cl 80.000 on the estimates for the completion of Stratlord main trunk railway and expresses the hope that this comparatively small sum will ho much excelled in the ensuing year and that the work will he pushed on with the utmost expedition.”

A BURG LAB Y. STRATFORD, August 31. Midhirst factory store was entered by burglars last night and goods valued at £7O removed. No chic to the perpetrators. A CHARGE DISMISSED. HAMILTON, Aug. 31. A remarkable case was beard at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when a man was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a ear. He was ordered by a constable to drive to the police station and there was arrested. Despite the evidence of three constables that the defendant was drunk, the Magistrate dismissed the ease saying the defendant’s sense was not sufficiently impaired, to render him incapable of driving a car. His condition at the station was attributed to concern at being arrested, and the fact of defendant being slightly deaf.