DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —rER PRESS association. DRIVER’S APPEAL. SENTENCE MAY BE REDUCED. AUCKLAND, September 1. A motor accident at Papakura on the night of January 22nd, in which one passenger was killed, another had a leg broken, and a third lost her -sight, was recalled in the Supremo Court when Joseph Mercer, motor mechanic (.Air Holmden) appealed against his conviction by Mr F. Iv. Hunt, S.M., for negligent driving. The appeal was on the question of fact, it being contended there was not sufficient evidence of negligence. The Magistrate had increased the sentence of one month’s imprisonment to one month one _ day to allow of the appeal. Mercer, in evidence, said that he had taken out the car, a new one, with the object of “tuning it up.” He was not going at much more than 25 miles an hour. Mr Meredith: Is that not one of Hie worst roads in the district?—l do not know. Air Justice Herdman: When you get into the late Mr Massey’s electorate things improve. “ After legal argument, his Honour said that, he could not allow the .appeal. He was, however, inclined to modify the sentence. Mr Holmden: It was rather harsh, sir. His Honour: “It is not that, hut. the man has suffered enough as it is.” His Honour remarked he had power to modify the sentence, hut lie was uncertain to what extent.! “ Perhaps,”' he said, “ I could admit accused to probation and fix a- condition that, (he should pay a certain sum 1 of money.” After further discussion with counsel. his Honour reserved the points until to-morrow. AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND. September 1. The Auckland Cricket Association has decided that the player-coach, E. It. Rowley, will play for Y.M.C.A. in the coming season. The club wrote stating that it wished to play under the auspices of the Cricket Association and would welcome the Sussex crack as an addition to its ranks. The proposal to form a B section in the senior grade was favoured by the committee. It was pointed out that North Shore would probably enter an additional team in the A section, making, with Y.IVf.C.A., eight teams. . ' FTRE IN A BANK. DUNEDIN-, September I. Eire which is thought to have been started by a. spark from a railway engine broke out in the roof of the National Bank building at Kaitangata at 2 p.m. to-day. Only £lO damage was done. Had the outbreak obtained a good hold the destruction of Unbuilding and four shops adjoining might have followed.

PRICE OF BUTTER. A FALLTN LONDON. AUCKLAND, September 1. A further decline of Is per cwt in the price of butter on the London market is recorded in a cablegram dated "August 31st and received to-day by Dalgety and Co., Ltd. The latest quotation is IG-ls to 160 s per cwt. On August 20th butter was quoted in London at 170 s to 1725, so that in five days there has been, a serious decline of os. This decline in prices at the present time of the year is viewed with misgivings in dairy circles, because usually butter prices have risen considerably by the end of August, aTnl can generally he expected to continue to harden until November or December. Last year, for instance, hqtter stood at 198 s on August 27tli, and at 232 s on October Bth. In 1921 the market stood at 20fis on August 2Stli. and at 226 s on October 23rd. In the present season the remarkable feature lias been that tlie butter market has not shown its usual responsiveness- to seasonal influences. Prices have held steadily at about 170 s, sometimes a little below, but generally a little above that mark. The productive season in the Northern Hemisphere is long past its flush, but still prices, instead of rising, hold stubbornly at about 170 s.

DROUGHT IN HAWKE’S.. BAY. NAPIER, Sept. 2. Indications of a drought being experienced in Hawke’s Bay is contained in the fact that- during the twelve months preceding August 31st. the rain-fall registered in Napier totalled 15.60 inches, whereas the average over a number of years is over' 35 indies. Back from the coast there has "been more rain than in Napier, but everywhere the fall registered lias been proportionately less than the average. DUNEDIN EXHIBITION. DIVIDEND. DUNEDIN, Sept. 2. The Dunedin .Exhibition Directors have declared a first dividend of 12s 6d nor share, representing £50.000. It is hoped to pay ultimately 15s in tho pound. A HUMOROUS S.M. AUCKLAND/ Slept. 1. “Yes. Sir, I was there alright.” said Alexander McNaughton (61), who was charged with being found by night without lawful excuse, on. the premises of the Auckland Amusement ParkBoard in King’s Drive. Senior-Sergt. 'Edwards said that accused came to the city from the country a few days ago. He had been warned to leave the property by a night-watchman and be left, but later was found in a shed. Magistrate Hunt-: Where did you came from?—l came from Mr Boynton’s farm. AL- Hunt: Mr Poynton’s farm! Senior-Sergeant Edwards said it was a farm of a brother of Air J. W. Poynton, S-M. Air Hunt (with a smile): I thought, perhaps. Air Poynton’s farm was the gaol. (Laughter). McNaughton was convicted and discharged. FARMERS’ CO-OP. DIVIDEND. TIMARTT. Sept. 2. The Directors of the C.P.C.A. met to-day to review accounts for the year. A trading profit- of £14.328 was disclosed. There will be no dividend on the ordinary shares, but tbe usual dividend of six per cent, on the preference shares will be paid. MUvSIC LECTURER. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 2. Subject to bis acceptance of tbe position, Air Thomas Vernon Griffiths, a member of tbe stnffi of St, Edmund’s School. Canterbury, England, lias been selected by 'the Education Board as Lecturer in Music at Christchurch Training College. In the event of his

acceptance, Mr Griffiths’ duties will include organising music in the primary schools under tho Canterbury Education Board. He will work'in conjunction with Mr Douglas Taylor, Supervisor of Music in Schools for the Dominion. TRAMS AND BUSES. AUCKLAND, Sept. 2. Separate accounts for the tramways and buses operated by the Auckland City Tramways for the year ended March 31, 192 G, were presented to the City Council to-night. They showed that, without allowing for depreciation,, there was a loss on the buses of £18,767, while the tramways made: a profit of £15,232. The receipts in respect of tlie- buses are shown tat £30,895, of which £21,425 was in cash takings, and £9,4,0 is allowed for concession tickets. The traffic expenses amounted to £33,907, including £9,588 for petrol and £5,627 for water, oil, and light; while stores, repairs and maitenance cost £8,910; and the administrative expenses are charged at £2,717-. The working expenses therefore exceeded the revenue by £14,630, the loss being increased by £3,175, representing five per cent interest and £’s3, representinfi one and a half.per cent sinking fund, on the loans of £635,000 . Tho total estimated loss is £18,767 8s 4d. The financial results of tramways ore shown also in detail. The revenue was £562,183, which exceeded the working expenses; of £433,704, by £128,4,9. Against the latter ’are charged ; Interest, £75,795; sinking fund, £33,952; discount on loans. £1500; and accident fund, £2OOO. This leaves a not profit of £15,232 16s sd. A LABOUR DECISION. AUCKLAND, Sept, 3. The Trades Labour Council discussed tlio basis of'industrial unity adopted hv a conference of mine workers of New Zealand at Wellington early in August. It resolved to endorse the basis submitted in a joint report and recommend the union to adopt it. MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES. AUCKLAND, Sept. 2. A charge of killing her female child and thereby committing manslaughter, and of disposing of the dead body of her child to -conceal the Tact that she had been delivered of it, were preferred against a. Samoan girl, Lucy Stowers, in tlie Police Court. After hearing tho evidence, the Magistrate dismissed the manslaughter charge. The accused pleaded guilty to the -other charge, and was committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence. The Magistrate suppressed evidence. Tho Magistrate also delivered his verdict in regard to the inquest on tho child. He found that the cause of death was inattention at birth. Similar charges were preferred against another Samoan girl, Agnes Whippy, aged 18, who was remanded until next Monday.

HONEY CONTROL BOARD. INVESTIGATION OF WORKING DEMANDED. AUCKLAND, August 27. A request foi; a thorough investiga tion of the working of tho Honey Control Board has been made to the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken) by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Following on representations on the subject from the Westland Chamber of Commerce, tlie council had inquiries made, and at its last meeting decided to accord its support to the demand for inquiry. The attention of tho Minister has been drawn to the subject iu the following letter—- “ Tt has been brought to the notice of this chamber that although the sum of Id a pound is levied by, the Honey Control Board on account of advertising, this money has clearly not been spent to advantage, as is shown by the fact that at various times very large stocks of honey have been held in London, amounting apparently at one time during the past twelve months to as much as twico the annual turnover. Approximately 6 per cent, of the turnover at the same time appears to lie absorbed in interest charges incurred on account of past losses. Further-' more, tho accounts of the Control Board are presented- in such a way and are apparently so inter-related with those of the New Zealand Honey Producers’ Association, that it seems impossible to ascertain the real position.” The letter adds that in view of these facts the chamber feels justified in directing the notice of the Minister to tlie matter and urging that he should have tlie position investigated, with particular attention as to whether the Control Baord is really satisfactorily, fulfilling the objects for which it was set. up.