DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] LAUNCH MKRCIA. TRAGEDY. DARGAVrT.IVE. March IG. A hotly, supposed to ho that of L. Waters, a victim of the. launch Mercia tragedy, at Kaiapada. [leads on February 23rd, was found on a sandspit on the West Coast near Pouta, about thirty miles from Dargaville, yesterday by H. Stodd|rt, who is on a survey of property in >tho vicinity.' Local police went out to bring the body in this morning. They expect to return late to-night.

ELECT R O C UT K J). STRATFORD, March JO. A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest on John Wilson, a farmer at Ratapiko, found electrocuted beside a fence across which a broken electric, power line was lying. The jury added a rider calling ou the Government to enforce regulations for the protection of the public. CUSTOMS QUESTION'S. AUCKLAND. .March 1«. In response to complaints of the multiplicity of formalities on the arrival of overseas visitors, the Council of the Chamber is advised by the Custom Department that some questions in the existing form will be deleted and an amended form shortly is to he put in use. LOANS ON LEASEHOLD.

REJECTED 15Y DRUIDS CONFER ENCE. PALMERSTON NORTH, Mar. to. An interesting discussion arose at the Druids’ Grand Lodge conference to-day upon a rule empowering the trustees of the order to invest money in leasehold security in view of the fact that the Druids have .£331,801 secured bv mortgages on property.'' The Grand Secretary read correspondence from the Registrar of Societies, which indicated that there were some forms of leasehold that wore not desirable investments and should he excluded. It was obviously ill the interest of members that securities should he selected with prudence, and that no sentiment or demands for high interest rates should influence such selections. Delegates urged that the financial stahilitv of the order should not tie jeopardised in order to meet the special needs of a section oT members. One Grand Lodge trustee pointed out that loans on leasehold meant loading the mortgagor with such heavy charges that, no working man could take tin a loan. Ho assured the delegates that the trustees would have no difficulty ill finding investments in freehold. Delegates who advocated loans on leasehold pointed out the difficulties of members farming land on a 990 years’ tenure, also of tlio.se who held property in West Coast towns, where all sections were leasehold and often carried valuable buildings. Finally a motion to delete leasehold was carried without division.

FREEZERS STRIKE. HASTINGS. March 1G

Notwithstanding the short notico a ready response was mr.uk' to Whakntu freezing works appeal to free labour last evening, and this morning the works wc-re carrying on with thirlvfive volunteers and others coming in during the day. The A. and P. Society’s autumn show just euicliiding prevented many from starting, but these will go cm i minedintely if required.

A meeting of unionists of other departments at Whakntu met. this morning, resulting in all knocking off at noon.

The Company sav they have. no trouble in filling the places and anticipate no difficulty in carrying on with volunteers to the close of the season. 'Flic* unionists are displaying no hostility and everything is quiet.: Two others works are not affected.

HUSBAND AND WIFE. AUCKLAND, March IG. At the Police Court, Barbara. Mens'! os sought to have .her husband, Algernon Chichester Campbell Monsies, aged- 48. bound over to keep the pdice, she alleging that lie had threatened to kill her. The parties had been ■separated since July of last year. Complainant, iu evidence, said on March Bth her husband insisted on seeing his children. He said to her: ‘‘This is no good to me. I'm going to see the kiddies or I'll kill you, then do for myself and finish it all up." Menzics denied that he threatened to kill his wife. He was anxious to see his children. The accused having been in custody for several days the case was adjourned for six months. He could bo brought up at any time.

T'KTTY THEFTS. DUNEDIN, March 15

Michael Joseph Shannon, who o'nio to New Zealand with Wirth’s Circus, live or six years ago, and has resided iu Dunedin since, was before the Court this morning on two charges ol petty thieving, lie pleaded guilty. In one case he stole an attache c*’.se and contents valued at 80s, belonging to Violet Brotyn. a waitress, who had left it at a fruit shop. Tll the other case he stole a. camera, valued at £2, while visiting a. pawn shop.

Chief-Detective Cameron said that accused When working followed the employment, of an hotel porter. He had given the stolen articles to a girl with whom he lmtl been keeping company and some- of them had been traced to a second-hand shop. Accused had been before the Court in 192-1, wheno he was admitted to probation for two years on a charge of theft. Later ho was ordered one year’s reformative detention for failing to comply with the terms of bis probation. His Worship said that in view of accused’s record he would he sentenced to one month's imprisonment- with hard labour on each charge.

AN EMPLOYER FT NED. WELLINGTON. March 15. Instead of exercising her right of appealing 'against the decision of the Apprenticeship Committee in refusing to allow a- bov To be apprenticed to the cabinet making trade with her firm on the grounds Aiat she had no adequate facilities for teaching the art, Mrs Moore entered into wK.it Judge Frazer called, a, “camouflaged deed of partnership” with the boy for the purpose of evading the provisions of the Apprenticeship Act. 1923. The Labour Department proceeded against her in the Arbitration Court to-day. and a £5 penalty was imposed.

RURAL ADVANCES ACT. ‘WELLINGTON, March 15. The Rural Advances Act. which will conic into operation on April 1 next, provides for the establishment of a separate branch of the State Advances Office, with extended authority ’to ■ grhint. loans secured 011 mortgages of rural lands, and having power to issue bonds secured on those mortgages. ’I lie maximum advance is to be £5500 exclusive of any chattel mortgage granted by the Department, and the advances arc to be limited to an amount of two-thirds of the value ot the security where freehold land is concerned, or two-thirds of a lessee's interest in leasehold land. The conditions of advances are to be the same ms those ordinarily applying in connection with the office. A separate account is to be kept, and the provisions of the State Advances Act relating to the temporary transfer of funds from one branch of the office to the other arc to apply to the rural advances branch.

The superintendent is authorised to provide additional funds by the issue of bonds of an amount approved by the Minister of Finance, these to constitute a floating charge on * all the assets of the brainh. including all the advances granted under the new Act. The rate of interest is to be prescribed by the Minister of Finance. The aggregate amount of the bonds is not to exceed the capital valiute of the mortgages for the time being held by the branch. Bonds may be issued in Lon-

don as well as in New Zealand. Trustees are permitted to invest in the bonds, and the superintendent is empowered to accept the bonds in repayment of loans granted under the terms of the Act. It is also provided that tho principal moneys secured by the bonds, etc., together with the interest, arc to be payable out of the Consolidated Fund, and will be recoverable from the rural advances branch.

HORSES FOR DUKE. AUCKLAND. March 13

Tho steamer Clan Ogilvy, which reached Auckland to-dav from Port Kenibla, called at Delagoa Bay, South Africa, ou her way out, and there picked up seven blood horses to lake to Mauritius.

The horses are intended for the use of tho Duke of York and his party during their expected call at the Island. The ordinary mounts in use in Mauritius are of such poor quality as to bo almost useless.

WITNESS FACES A CHARGE. DUNEDIN, March M

There were unusual developments at the Police Court this morning as the outcome of a case in which. Victor Clarke was charged with riding a motor-cycle in a dangerous manner on the Caversham Valley road on January 10th. and with failing to keep to the left side of the road on that occasion. Both charges were dismissed bv the Magistrate (Mr IT. W. Bundle. S.M.), and the principal witness in the ease, Janies Orosvenor Ritchie, was then faced with a. charge of negligent clrivilng on the same date, a conviction being recordod. Tho Magistrate said tint he had directed the police to bring a. ease against James Grosveuor lilt eh e. charging him with negligent driving. Ritehio was then formally charged with negligent driving and pleaded not guilty. ITe agreed to admit the previous evidence, while \ icier Clarke, the defendant in the previous ease, said that, the accident, had cost him £O7, i£GO for damages to tilie cycle, and £7 for hospital expenses. He had also lost over £lO in wages. The Magistrate said that after heir ring the evidence lie had no doubt that Ritchie had come before the Court and had told in evidence against another man what, was obvinuslv incorrect. Defendant, Ritchie, would he fined £3, land ordered to pay £23 compensation to Clarke. If lie did not pay the compensation ho would be liable as in the ease of a fine to imprisonment bv the Court.

DARING POSTER. W.C’.T.U. PROTESTS. AUCKLAND. March 13. The picture of an airily-clad lady ot generous proportions sitting on the •seashore, which lias been featured prominently on ail advertising hoarding near tile Mount Eden railway station. led to a letter of protest lrom the Women's Christian ’leniperanee Union, which came before the Mount Eden Borough Council. Tin; Town Clerk said that a by-law could not be framed to deal with any moral or religions question.

"It is an objectionable picture,” said Mr D. C. !• raser. ”1 am not straight-laced, hilt it is over the odds absolutely. 'To the Mayor): You go and have a look at it.” ” 1 saw the play,” said the Mayor. “ f thought that it was very nice.” A councillor: Oh! Mr T. L. Taylor: It might he very artistic on the bench or the stage, hut the question is whether it is in keeping with a public street.

Mr Eraser: Tf anyone went round the beach like that they ought In he arrested. Mr .Morrison said that ho objected to the view that the Council had no authority. They could move Heaven and earth—even the police. Mr Fraser 'to the Mayor 1: You saw the poster? The Mayor : No. only the play. It included “ the usual island scene.” i As the Mayor had not seen the poster, and Councillors had not seen the play, a comparison of their respective merits could not be arrived at. It was decided to reply that the Borough Council had no power to deal with the matter. CUPS OF TEA. “AN IMPUDENT CLAIM.” j AUCKLAND, March 13. It is evidently unwise for a butcher to accept a cup of tea at a private hotel, where he delivers his daily meat, as was shown this morning at the Magistrate’s Court, when David L. I O’Donnell, of Auckland, proprietor of a private hotel (Mr Simpson), sued S. Reid (Mr J. J. Sullivan), butcher, claiming the sum of £7 lGs, being the ; amount alleged to lie due for meals supplied to defendant between the months of July and December. 1926. |

When the case was called, Mr Simpson intimated that he wished to have it struck out.

Mr Sullivan applied for costs, stating that the claim was a most impudent one. Reid served the private hotel of which plaintiff was the proprietor. Alter Reid had delivered his meat the nnMil would sometimes offer him a cup of tea. Ultimately, O’Donnell heard of this, and wrote to defendant for the price of 100 meals at Is (id per meal. (Laughter.) “Jt is an impudent claim, and defendant is here and claims expenses. He feels outraged over the matter,” said Mr Sullivan. Mr E. C. Glutton, S.M.: Why outraged, Mr Sullivan? Mr Sullivan: Well, he accepted the cups of tea more to please than to he pleased. The Magistrate allowed costs and expenses to defendant. DAIRY PRODUCE. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. WELLINGTON. March 14. The High Commissioner advises the Department, of Agriculture of the following official quotations:— Butter—The New Finland market is slow. Others are steady. New Zealand finest on March 12t.h was quoted at 158 s to 160 s per owt. March sth 102 s to 166 s per cwt. unsnlted 164s’ to 1665. and 176 s to 180 s; others 152 s to 1545, and 156 s to 158 s. Australian salted 152 s to 1545. 156 s to 160 s. unsnlted 158 s to 1625, lfiOs to 1565, others 140 s to 150 s, 14Gs to 1545. Argentine unsalted 152 s to 1545, 152 s to 154 s others 144 s to 150 s, 146 s to 150 s. Danish ISOs to 182 s. and 186 s.

Cheese—The position of the cheese market, is described by the High Commissioner as “quiet,” and official quotations are cabled as follows—English finest farmers 116 s to 12fts cwt (Is Old to Is Id per lb), price as last week. Canadian, finest coloured and white, March 12th 94s t.o 98s per cwt- (lOd to lOld per lb), last week 96s to 9Ss per cwt (]OJd to 10}d per lb) : other qualities 92s per cwt (93d per lb). New Zealand, coloured and white, March 12th S4s to 80s cwt (9d to Old per lb), last week S7s to 91s cwt (Old per lb); other qualities 82s to S3s per cwt.