DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

RIDERS FINED. GISBORNE, Jan. 4

Following the riding of the three mile cycle handicap at the Ngatapa sports yesterday. McCann and Brewster, New Plymouth riders, appeared before tho committee. The former was fined a pound for foul riding and the latter ]os for had language as a result of an al'eged interference with a Gisborne rider Dolman during the nice. (Subsequently McCann and Brewster laid complaints against Dolman and Hamilton who had supported the former comp!.but. Dolman being fined a pound f r .'ssauli and Hamilton 10s for ah iv? language. .LIGHT QUAKE. WELLINGTON, Jan., 4. A slight earthquake at 10.45 last! evening was immediately followed by a more severe jolt hut not sufficient severity to cause damage. ECLIPSE Ob THE SUN. Clouds greeted the partial eclipse of the sun this morning, but breaks now and again permitting view of how it was progressing. At times they were at an advantage enabling observation by the naked eye.

A FIRE. CAMBRIDGE. Jan. I

A nine-roomed dwelling owned by Mrs Baker, situated at Leamington, near Cambridge, was totally destroyed by fire at an. early hour this morning. At the time the only occupants were Mrs Baker and two sons. Insurances are: £IOOO on tho building and £3OOO on contents in the State Office.' Tho Brigade saved tlio garage and out. buildings.

C 0 N F ERE NCE E NT) S. CAMBRIDGE, Jan. 4. The Christian Convention dispersed yesterday after a highly successful gathering. It was resolved to make Cambridge the permanent home of the Convention.

EIRE DAMAGE. Dunedin, jau. t

No accurate estimate of thu damage caused by the Strand Restaurant fire on Sunday has yet been made. Insurance on* building and contents was 013,975. this including Misses Gallagher’s ladies’ outfitters, and insurance oil Pattersons Bros., men’s outfitters. £2.200 oil stock. The damage i.s roughly L'2o9. Misses Gallaghers’ stock is almost a total loss. TOTE FIGURES. AUCKLAND. January 4. Tntalisator investments for four davs races and three days trots (otalk'd a decrease of £70,403 10s. At Ellerxlie the decrease was £63,355 (28 events) and at Alexander Park £l,O-18 10s. hut last year there were 29 races at Ellerxlie and 32 the year before. State taxes for the week’s snorts approximate £37.000, exclusive of amuse, inent tax. AUCKLAND. January -i. The 53rd annual meeting of the Auckland Rifle Association was concluded at Penrose yesterday. A splendid performance was given by O. E. Watt (city and suburbs) one of the youngest competitors, who in tho teams championship match secured 49 out of a possible 50. The teams duunpionship went to Akarana B and F. Hogg

(New Plymouth) was the winner of the King’s Championship which goes to the winner of a special match shot off by 25 who secured the highest aggregate in. six matches. Hogg’s score was 317. S. Elliott (Akarana) second. 315; 11. ('. Evans (To Kuiti) tliird. 311.

THE ECLIPSE. GISBORNE. Jan. 4

The ee ipse of the sun was witnessed under weird conditions this morning, over-east sky and misty conditions with occasional glimpses of the sun. The landscape had an eerie appearance and at times it was sufficiently dark enough to require artificial light.

FRUITGROWEU S CON EUR ENCI

AUCKLAND. Jau. 4

The Minister of Health in opening the annual conference of the New Zealand Association of Nurserymen emphasised it was the aim of the Government as well as the conference, to assist those engaged in primary industries, to do the utmost to increase production without the expense of more labour. He also appealed to fruitgrowers to concentrate on standardisation particularly in regard to varieties nl apples. BOWLING TEAM. AUCKLAND. January 4. A team of Australian howlers to compete in the Dominion Championship next week arrived by the Mara mu this morning. V. Swain (skip) stated the rink consisted ol green players and he realised there may he a considerable difference between Auckland and Melbourne turf. They had a long spell of drv weather in Melbourne but hope to adapt themselves to the existing New Zealand conditions, hut it was comforting to have a week’s practise before the tourney. Swain is the winner of twelve club championships, and two years ago was runner-up for tlie Australian title. FOUND DEAD. GISBORNE, .Tan. 4. George Reeves, a labourer, was found dead this morning near Hangaron, some distance from Gisborne. It is stated deceased had been acting queerIv lust night, and left the place where he was staying. A search party found the body this morning with a bullet wound in the head and a gun beside it.

SEAMAN’S DEATH. NAPIER, Jan. 4. Alfred Lambert. 60 years of age, married, of Brixton (London), a. member of the crew of the Port Sydney, died suddenly on board last night from heart failure. A THEFT. PALMERSTON N., Jn*. 4*„ A. McNic-01, of Dannevirke, who was visiting here for the local howling tournament had a substantial sum stolen from his clothes in a local hotel at an early hour this morning. Mr MeNicol heard some person moving about in the room at two o’clock but thought it was the night porter and later discovered his loss.