DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1927, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[uy Tr-LEGRArH —PKU PRESS ASSOCIATION.j BOOKS EE I . Efts ( OFFER KXCJS. AUCKLAND, .fan. 7. Tho annual conference of Retail Booksellers Association concluded this morning with the election of officers. President, H. C. South; Vice-Presi-dents, H. .1. Ediuston, G. IL. Bennett, B. E. Whitrombu; Secretary, E. Ross; Committee, C. W. Boynton, If. K. Pi Liter, 11. G. Carman, C. A. limes, V. .1. Osborne ('also honorary auditor), J l '. IT. .McGregor, X. K. Aitkeg, A. .1. Coveuoy, and 11. L. Humphries. AUCKLAND RATES. AUCKLAND, Jan. 0. The stall of the City Treasury is busily engaged receiving payments from ratepayers. Large sums are handled every day, no less than £21,183 being received since the holidays ended. Tho total amount collected to date is £202.834. leaving £198,000 outstanding. These figures cover till municipal rates, including water rates.

WELLINGTON’S RECORD. WELLINGTON. Jan. 0. No better indication of Wellington’s remarkable progress during the past twelve months could lie gained than l .v tho perusal of the building figures. In tho eleven months Lo November 3!) (December figures are not available vet), tlio City Council used permits for buildings valued at £1,854.029, which, without taking the Decent tier figures'into account at all. constitutes a. record, ttemarkatdo growth is -hown in the suburbs. Melrose slunding l ead and shoulders above most, others. Di.tt Valley is not included in the figures.

A NATIVE GRIEVANCE. WELLINGTON, Jan. 0 The Royal Commission which las been appointed to inquire iieo the grievances of natives arising out of tbe confiscation of llieir lands after the Maori wars will’commence its sittings at Waitnrn. or New Plymouth on Wednesday, February i). The C'.'inmisdonors are his Honour Mr Justice Sim 'chairman), lion V. 11. Reed. M.L.U.. mil Mr W. Cooper, Native associate, mil tho report of the findings i mst be presented to tbe Government roc later than June 30 next. Mr J. T. Watkins, of “Hansard” stuff, has been appointed shorthand reporter to the Commission.

TAILOR STEALS BRANDY. WELLINGTON. Jan. 0. Samuel MeShane, aged 39. a tailor, was an interested spectator of the doings of several employees of Preston and -Company, wine merchants, in Stout street, on Wednesday afternoon. An order was being got ready for shipment. and the men were stacking the cases inside the front door of tho company's premises preparatory to their being carted off to the wharf. When a favourable opportunity offered, MeShane stepped across the street, lifted a ease of brandy, wrapped his overcoat around it and hurried off with tho bundle under bis arm. He took it to a timber yard nearby, where in a neglected corner ho covered it up with grass and rubbish. • Unfortunately for him, ho was seen lifting the ease, and the vigilance of an officer of the knv, who watched tho corner carefully all the afternoon, was rewarded about hallpast. six at night, when MeShane came back with inn instrument and began to prise open the lid of tho box. In tho Magistrate’s Court to-day, Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., sentenced the accused, who had a lengthy list of previous convictions against him, to one month's imprisonment. The £lO worth of brandy was ordered to he returned to tho owners.

tho British Government, which in 1912 secured a controlling interest, with the object of safeguarding' its future oil supplies. Some two years ago the comti my entered into an agreement with the Commonwealth Government on an equal share basis to refine and market petroleum products in Australia. and the year’s operations are reported to have resulted in a substantial profit being made.

CAR CAPSIZES. AUCKLAND. January (5

A serious motor incident occurred two miles from Putarulu early yesterday afternoon, and as a result Mr Roland llooten. surveyor, of Auckland, w ho is employed on afforestation works at Rutaruru. sustained serious injuries to bis spine. I lenten, who was recently married, had just left Rutaruru and was teaching bis wife to drive along tbe flat stretch when the ear struck a hank and capsized. Hooleu was thrown through the windscreen, but Mrs llooten escaped with bruises and shock. The hood, running hoard, and mudguards of the ear were badly damaged. llooten was brought back to 1 ’uturn ru for medical attention and was conveyed to the Hamilton Hospital. THE ROYAL CAR. CHRISTCHURCH, .Tannery 7. Steady progress is being made with t lie sue "in! ears for the Royal train, to he used on the occasion of the visit < ; f their Royal Highnesses tho Duke and Duchess of York, and which arc being constructed at the Addington Workshops.

The principal feature as lar as the train itself is concerned is undoubtedly the ear’which is being built blithe occasion, and which will, after its utility has passed for the Royal visitors, go into service as the Ministerial ear. replacing the out-of-date one a; | present used for that purpose. Tills i ear is something of a departure in New Zealand railway practice. When seen yesterday, it was in an unfiislvcii state, hut gave promises of excellent appearance and running when completed. Tbe under-frames, together with special gas and water cylinders, are finished, and the body woodwork is almost all in place. Tbe steel sheathing which is to cover the sides of the ear is rapidly being fitted, and there will then remain only to run the bogies into position and arrange the internal fittings, before the saloon will ho ready for running. The ear will always form the rear compartment of the train and the lounge is provided with large reai observation windows. The lounge is to be thirty-four feet in length; next to it will he the bathroom, and at the train end of the ear a small, compact kitchen. The side windows are large, of plate glass without frames, and can he lowered by a handle operating a speieal device. After the Royal visit, the lounge will lie shortened by the building of partitions for an office and two sleeping berths. At present, the whole of the ear beyond tbe bathroom constitutes a really spacious sittingroom. FREEZING DISPUTE. MASTER TON. Jan. 7. Enquiries made in official quarters at the meat. works bis morning, elicited the information that an agreement has been reached between the Company and the butchers satisfactory to both sides, and that work was proceeding normally. This means that the fifty butchers previously engaged before Hie dispute have resumed work. The free labourers who were slaughtering have returned home.