DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—per press association.]

LONGER SHOP HOURS-SOUGHT AUCKLAND, -March If.

Replying to the New Zealand Small Shopkeepers’ Association, the Labour -Minister (Mr Anderson) has written that nhen the legislative programme for the coming session is under review he intends to place before Cabinet the proposed amendments to the Shops ;.ud Offices Act, and that if a. hill is introduced, those concerned will have I lie opport-uity to give evidence on' ibe nice.-s', re before the Labour Rills Coiiiniii 1 :- . The Association is seeking ex v:• u from the Arbitration Conn ; .'I. regarding closing hours.

RAKERS’ DISPUTE. WELLINGTON. March If. Ilie Dominion Rakers' and Pastrycook-’ dispute was heard in the Arbitration Court to-day. Tile points in dispute concern hours and. wages.

N.Z. TEAM’S FINANCES. AUCKLAND, March 1-1

In two weeks the X.Z. team leaves for England, and out of £IO.OOO needed for the tour. 97.811 is in hand, contributions being:—X.Z. Council £SOO, Canterbury 94,045, Auckland 990], Wellington 91.119, Otago 933]. West Coast 95. Wanganui £53. Fcilding 959. Hawke’s Ray 9270. Wnipu £552, Ashburton 95. Auckland Association is endeavouring to raise its quota to 91.500. E. If. Rowley lias been engaged again at Auckland as player coach for next year. TWO ROBBERIES. CHRISTCHURCH. March 17. A thief entered the house of K. M. Robson. Colomo Street, on Tuesday, while the owner was absent and stole 9100. the property of the Roehahite Lodge of which Robson was tiie treasurer. Tho same day 931 was stolen from a fruit .-.hop in Colombo Street. 'I ho tenant is Mrs Hampton. A HANDSOME ENDOWMENT. AUCKLAND. March 1(5. A gift of six thousand pounds Inwards the provision of modern swimming baths has been made to St. Cuthbert’s Presbyterian Girl’s College by Miss Rtmeiman, and her niece, of Auckland City.

SOLICITOR STRUCK OFF. WELLINGTON, March 17

The Court of Appeal dealt with the eases of Law Society v. Wilfred Alec. Black and John Munro Gillies. -Mr Yon Haast appeared for the,Law Society and -dr Perry for Black. Gillies was not represented. The case of Black was adjourned until March 23rd. pending (he arrival of affidavits Iron) Auckland. The facts alleged in Gillies’ case were that he failed to keep his trust account in order and received altogether a sum of over £590 for his own use, being trust moneys. In one instance Gillies took over for one, Bonn, from Irwin and Trwin, and collected 9170 8s lid, which Bean instructed him to return to Irwin and Irwin. This was not done though Gillies stated he had done so. Gillies was struck off the rails of the Law Society and ordered to pay £ls 15s Od costs.

GAMING HOUSE CHARGE. CHRISTCMUE-H, March 17

John Henry Roll, aged 54. was charged with keeping a gaming house, and William Henry Cousins, aged 29. was charged with assisting. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded til! Maich 24th. Bail was fixed at .9100. 910 FINE. PA HI ATI,'A. March 17. For using an overweight motor h)rrv on a county read Charles Freeman. Doggitt was .fined £lO and costs over £3. The oversear’s evidence stated it would cost £25 to repair the road. A DEPUTATION. PA H [AIT A. March 17. “Like mice in a cage" was the. description given by a member of a big deputation to Mr Ransom M.P.. urging the need of a new Past Office and automatic telephone exchange in a central site purchased some time ago, the present building being very antiquated and out of the way. The local claims were pressed strongly, especially in view of the ministerial statements made when the question was previously mentioned.

DISASTROUS RAGLAN IMRE. HAMILTON, March 17

A disastrous lire occurred at Raglan early this morning. It started in Hardy Brothers’ drapers shop about mid-night. The outbreak" was so sudden that the occupants (Messrs Hardy Brothers and -Airs Hardy senr.. and Miss Hardy) barely escaped with their lives, everything being completely do-, stroved. The ringing of the church bell quickly brought willing helpers to tne scene. There was no fire brigade or water supply, but a hastily formed bucket brigade did good work. Ihe fire quickly spread to the Town Hall on one side and to the Raglan County •• i nroniele ” building on the other.. The Town Board building consisting of a board-room, public library and ladies rest room next caught fire and with other buildings was completely destroyed. B.v strenuous work the premises ol Earle, cabinet maker and McLaughlin, saddler, were saved. So far as ascertained insurances were about £2.500. The shop occupied bv Hard vs was owned by K. E- Hunt and was insured for £750 in the Royal Exchange; Town Hall and piano LioO in Atlas Office; library building and books £SOO in south British : Raglan “Chronicle ” and plant £350 in Phoneix. The 'Town Hall is about eighteen years old and the other buildings about a similar age, with the exception of the Town Board office which was built only last year.

PARTRIDGES TO BE IMPORTED. AUCKLAND. March I*. With the object cf improving I strain of game partridges in its district the Auckland .Acclimatisation bocietv is to import 3CO pairs of Hungarian. ami 100 pairs of French or rod-legged partridges trom Hnngarv It has commissioned D. Roland, " ' is personally acquainted with the district in Hungary, from winch thm-e partridges are exported to select urn birds, during the business trip lie is shortly making to Europe. 11 ox ‘ peeted that it will cost about £noo to Lmd the birds at Auckland-