DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1927, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PEIi PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

PACIFIC CABLE. AUCKLAND, Jan. 20. Advice has been received by the Auckland offico of the Pacific Cable Board that the cable steamer Faraday has removed the slight defect which revealed itself in the new cable between Suva and Fanning Island, and that the vessel left Fanning Island this morning for Sydney. En route, she will call at Suva to deposit in Board’s tanks thu cable not at present required.

Tests on the new cable, which runs from Suva, to Bam field, British Columbia. via Fanning Island, have given results beyond all expectations. The guaranteed speed of the cable has been exceeded hv one hundred per cent., and ijho signals recorded on the tapes at the rate of 240 words a minute are more distinct than are those given by the old cable, when it was working at only thirty words a minute.

In accordance with the terms of the contract, for making anil layng the cable, the new cable will not ho taken over by the Pacific Cable Board until it has given satisfactory service for thirty days. During that time the contractors will have the cnblo at their disposal for some hours during the day for testing purposes.

N.Z. DAIRY BOARD. WELLINGTON. Jan. 20. The situation in regard to the London agency of the New Zcnlmd Dairy Produce Control Hoard was fully discussed at the meeting of the Board on 'Wednesday, and it was decided to anproneh the Acting-Prime Minister on the matter. It was decided to consider the reorganisation of the Board after the return of the present producer members in Juno next. N.Z. NAVY OFFICERS. WELLINGTON. Jan. 20. The following officers have been appointed in the New Zonland Division of the Royal Navy:— Commander Arthur Ronald Farqu-' bar, D. 5.0.. 11. N., to HALS. Diomede. Squadron Navigating Officer Licuton-

ant-Comnmwler Claud Boothby Gralien Watson, D. 5.0., R.N., to H.M.S. Dio mode. First. Lieutenant-Commander Henrj Aubrey Rowley, R.N.. to H.M.S. Dunedin, for navigating duty. Lieutenant- Donald Hunter-Blai*, D. 5.0., R.N.. to H.M.S. Dunedin. Payirtastcr-Coinmander George Alfred Cooke, R.N., to H.M.S. Diomede, squadron accounting officer. Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander Will i'a m Mostyn Hawkes R.N., to H.M.S. Dunedin. Surgeon-Commander Arthur Holmes joy. M. 8.. R.N.. to H.M.S. Diomede. Surgeon-Comiitiiuler George Donald Masintosh, M. 8., R.N., to H.M.S. Philomel.

\ BOY’S DEATH. WELLINGTON, Jan. 20. Admitted to hospital on. Monday sutfering from burns sustained when a paper fancy dress which he was Fearin'- caught- -alight, Dougakl Grant aged seven and a half, died at tour <> [dock this morning. The boy was m a critical condition at the time of admission to the institution. TMBAL FIGHT. AUCKLAND. Jan. 20. Some excitement was caused in Ruwene this morning when a rumour got ..Imut- tliiil there had been a big figU amongst the Natives at Wlmkarapn. 'Constable Ruddy (received several telephone calls for the police, and n doctor. He immediately got in touch with Dr Smith, who, in company with Constable Nehoff, proceeded to the scene of the trouble. It was found that a woman was Die cause of the trouble. One portion of the tribe wanted her to marry a certain Native, and the other hall another man. with the result that it ended in a tribal light, no hones being broken. The doctor and the constable, who have since returned to Rawoiie. reported that the affair had “ended in smoke.”

They brought the woman hack with them to' the hospital. She had been somewhat 'bruised by the attentions of her rival lovers.

According to the marriage customs of the Natives it appears that a girl has to marry the man whom the tribe choose, whether she loves him or not. SUMMER SCHOOL. CAMBRIDGE, .Tan. 21. At a business meeting of tenchers attending the summer school after a keen discussion the following resolutions were passed: 1. That the Summer School movement should continue on the same broad lines and with the same cultural objectives as has characterised the Cambridge meeting. 2. That the Summer School movement should be developed as the Dominion is opposed to an insular organisation. 3. That the next meeting bo held at the most convenient centre in the South Island, as .an experimental venture to the best possibility and advisability of the national organisation. 4. That the general executive he empowered to select a location lor next year’s school and establish a local oiganisation. ].\ Milner, AVnitaki, was re-elected President; Duncan line, Auckland, Vice-President; President and Executive Committee. Miss Hume. Messrs Johnston and Walker. The school closes to-morrow. It has been an unqualified success. The motor trip to Horohoro and Arapuni was greatly enJOyC BO A U DING-HOUSE BRAWL. AUCKLAND. Jan. 20. A breakfast table assault case came before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court, when William Fleming aged 57, pleaded guilty to having assaulted Allan Dalton. Senior-Sergeant Edwards said that both accused and complainant resided at tile same hoarding-house. Last night they were apparently good friends and had a game of draughts together. However, while at the breakfast-table this morning, Fleming struck Dalton on the mouth and damaged his set of false teeth. Dalton gave no provocation and it was hard to understand why accused should have struck him. Counsel said that accused was in Auckland for the purpose of receiving attention at the hospital. People wore talking about his wife, and Fleming genuinely thought that Dalton had spoken about ins wife. Fleming had an unblemished record in the past, and was the father of seven grown-up children. He had never been in trouble before, and counsel asked that accused should receive lenient treatment. ‘Yes, ho will.” said Air Hunt. “He will he fined £2. ami will he ordered to pay .the damage to complainant's teeth. £l.’’ The Senior-Sergeant then announced that the damage was estimated at £2. and some time later said that it would come to £2 10s.

“Why, it’s going up all the time.” remarked the Magistrate with a smile as he made the order.