DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[llY TELEGRAPH —FER PRESS ASSOCIATION. j

TOURIST BUSINESS GROWING. WELLINGTON, February 20.

The Hon. Mr Nosworthy stated yesterday that as far as could he seen the tourist business for the present year would be a great improvement oil tno last season. Up to December 31st, lie understood from the Statistical Department. the figures showed an increase of 30 per cent, in numbers over the previous year. The actual cash hookings at the Department’s bureaus showed an advance of 10 per cent. The general revenue of the Department from all sources also showed an upward tendency. There had been a great number of American and Australian visitors, and ttie various bureaus had been heavily taxed. These facts, said the Minister, were very heartening when it was considered that last season was a record one in the Department’s annals, probably on account of the Dunedin Exhibition, and showed that the advertising of tiic Department's attractions was hearing good fruit. The necessity for increased accommodation at all resorts was becoming very evident. The Tourist Department had led the way in bringing up to date its house at Lake Wniknreinoana and the hotel at Te Allan. Tenders had also been called and an offer accepted for the additions to Waitomo. “ Taking it all round,” added the Minister, “ tho tourist traffic is undoubtedly on the upward grade, and a , solid revenue to the country can lie ! confidently looked forward to from this source.”

MORTALITY AMONG LAMBS. INVERCARGILL, February 20

The mortality among lambs lias been growing to such an extent during the past few years that Dominion farmers have become alarmed and have decided to have all the causes investigated. Southland farmers in particular have been very active of late, with ttie result that investigations have brought about some logical theories.

(m Saturday morning at a meeting of the Southland Farmers’ Union. Mr .1. McDonald expalined to members a theory he- had recently worked out. Mr MacDonald attributed the mortality to a poisonous weed and to clubroot. He said that for some time he had been occupied in analysing poisons and vegetables and that lie had iound in the course of his investigations that several plants contained copper, which was a poison. In his opinion lamb mortality was caused by a weed like duckweed, which contained poison. It was distinguishable from duckweed only iu that it had a red flower instead of a white flower and was lound principally among the clover. It sheep took only a small quantity of this weed the poison in it did not affect them, but if they took a larger quantity they died. It was noticeable that it was the stronger and larger lambs in the flocks that died, and this was due to the fact that they ate more than the smaller lambs. The poison could also get into the system as the result of tho lambs lying on the weed. Mr McDonald also referred to dnb root, which, he said, was caused by the water in the taps becoming impregnated with galvanised iron, zinc, and lead from the roofs of buildings and being carried down into the ground. This caused club root and the only way to avoid it was to prevent tho waste water from going into the ground and being spread there w illi manures.

It was decided to forward Mr* McDonald’s theory to the Committee set op to deal with lamb mortality for consideration.

COURT NEWS. NAPIER. February 22

At. the Supreme Court Judge Ostler congratulated Hawke’s Bay on the decrease in crime. Henry Arthur Cooper Cm false pretences) reformative treatment for three years; Nikora Timu (for breaking and entering) reformative treatment for four years.

OCEAN YACHTING. WELLINGTON, Feb. 21

By an unfortunate coincidence, tlic weather ruling for the B.P.NA.C. s ocean race u> Port Underwood and Lack. which commenced on Saturday afternoon, were practically the same as those for last year’s race, and light patchy breezes spoilt whal might have been an interesting event.

The Nanette and the Seabird retired from the race about 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, being then just off. Baring Head, and returned to Seatoun for the night, ami the Windward retired about the same time and went into Island Bay.

The Mann reached Port Underwood about 5 o’clock last night, but met exceptionally light weather on tho return journey, and had to use her engine, and was therein - disqualified. She reached the boat harbour about 8.30 this morning.

The race was won by the lolantho, which crossed the finishing line at 2.57 this afternoon. EXPERT THIEF. AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. A remarkable story of a ten-year-old boy’s early morning visits to a number of business premises in Newmarket during the school holidays was told in tlg» Children’s Court when twelve charges of breaking and entering and theft were preferred against tlic lad. With the consent of the police the charges were reduced to theft in order that the Court could ileal with the matter. The goods involved in the c harges were valued at £4 4s, while it was also alleged that money totalling £1 6s 2d had been stolen.

“The boy proved to be finite an export at getting into shops and out again without being detected,” said Sergeant Calwell. “He operated in the very early morning, and it has given the police a lot of trouble to trace the thefts to him.” All the cases were of much the same kind, added the Sergeant. The boy showed evidence of lack of home control.

Replying to Mr E. C. Cotton, SAT., the police stated that some of the money had Ikmmi found hidden in a hag in an outhouse. The majority of the goods had also been recovered. The hoy was committed to the care of the Superintendent of the Child "Welfare branch. CLAIM for a ring. WELLINGTON. Feb. 22.

Mrs Ellen Vera Maxwell proceeded against Isobel Wilson, before Air Riddell ,S.M.. to-day. for the recovery of a ring valued at £3O £4O. Defendant was runner-up in the recent Beauty Contest, and the x ring was lent at the time of the contest. Miss Wilson was Wellington’s choice in the film st»ir contest, and as she proceeds to Auckland to take part in the final, counsel' applied for a fortnight’s remand. The matter in dispute is the value of the ring, which is stated to liavp been lost. The remand was granted, Air Riddell stating tlfit Miss Wilson could he stopped if she tried to leave New Zealand. this being in the event of her being chosen to proceed to Australia. HENDRY 'ARRIVES. AUCKLAND. Feb. 22. IT. T.. Hendry, the Australian and Victorian cricketer, arrived here today to join the Melbourne Club team now touring New Zealand. Hendrv could not come to flic Dominion earlier. as his services were required by Victoria in the Sheffield Shield games. He will join the Melbourne team at Wellington. j