DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph— run chess association.]

INQUEST. INVERCARGILL, March 17

The proposed inquest on Frank Hall, late dispenser at tbe Hospital hero, concluded to-day before Mr I ruickshank, S.M. The Coroner’s verdict was one of heart failure. An analysis of the stomach revealed no trace of noison.

A SECOND FIRE. NELSON. March 18. Another firo occurred at Nelson' Eieezii'- < ■'■•panyks Works at Stoke last evt much more serious than I no.-day ■ ■. Nelson and Richmond brigades v .■.•re (idled but great difficulty was experienced in reaching the seat of the lire which seemed to be in two places. Ihe flames were subdued after ■several hours’ difficult work. Tho extent of tho damage is not yet known, hut it will he considerable, and the Company will be deprived of tho use of two or three chambers for some time.

j LATER. I Killing was not interferred with hy the fire, at tho freezing works. Three chambers are affected, those devoted to apples probably being disabled for the season. The others in all probability will he ready to cope with all fruit, as it is May before large quan--1 Rios are sent to cool stores. Porcelain pans in the Works’ lavatories were broken (o nieces as if kicked, some time after five, last evening. The pans were similarly broken six weeks previously, N.Z. TRADE. WELLINGTON. March 17. The following figures as to I lie trade ol New Zealand are supplied by tho Customs Department The imports into New Zealand during February, 1927 were worth £3.292.010. In February. 3920, the imoorts were worth £4.290,431. For the two mouths ended February last, the imports were worth 07,303,070. against £8,95.1,247 for the same two months of 1920.

K’xporls from Now Zealand last February were worth .C 5,03 71.451 against £4.331,287 worth in February 1920.

For the two months ended February last the exports were worth £10.220.591 as against £9.3(3!),268 in 1920.

STORAGE OF PETROL, NELSON. March 18

lor storing dangerous goods, to wit. 15,5) gallons of motor spirit on unlicensed promises. Rod Newman, of Takaka was fined at Takaka Court £5. Tor storing oil licensed premises an excess o! 25(1 gallons above the quantity lor which the building was licensed Newman was fined El and total cost of El 355. Defendant pleaded guilty, stating a large consignment of one kind of spirit was sent, when another was required. This caused a congestion He had not been in the store personally, Imt realised he was liable. Girling Butcher, for the Explosives Department. pressed fur a heavy penalty, and explained the petrol involved would he forfeited, hut this loss would not fall on defendant. Mr Movnahan. for defendant, contended it was not right for the department to seek for a victim, when merely a warning was required. The -Magistrate. Mr T. E. Matmsell. in convicting, referred to the danger of keeping petrol in large quantities unless under conditions imposed hy the department. If stored otherwise than required meant not only danger and destruction of property hut to the lives of those j fighting a fire. In the present ease he thought justice would he met by tlie* fines stated above.

TRAM FARES. AUCKLAND, March 18. The City Council has adopted an increase of tramway fares from Id to 5d in cash lare over four ol live sections, and till longer distances. \\if!i corresponding increases in concession tickets For the same distances. It was stated that approximately a loss ol £39.00!. had been made ns a result, of running buses, on too low fares, including £lO.1)00 depreciation on buses. The in-

crease of revenue of increased lares was £31,000. The City Council approved of tlic tra.ni\vay extensions anil fifty new trams and a Inis garage, the' expenditure for which the ratepayers will be asked to vote for a half million loan.

DRUIDS. PALMERSTON N., March IS. The Conference of the North Island Grand Lodge of Druids concluded. Officers elected were installed for the coming two years as follows: -Grand President, T. 11. Wilson (Auckland); VicePresident, K. .Jackson (Palmerston North); Secretary. J. X. Grant (Wellington); Grand Treasurer, J. Laughton (Wellington); Grand Guardian, G. Lathahy (Auckland). Wanganui was selected as the venue for the Grand Lodge Appeal Board. FATAL FALL. OAM All U, March 18.

Last evening a young farmer, Arthur Henry, of Tawai, aged 28. while chopping a high tree, fell about 39 feet and sustained severe concussion. lie was admitted to Oaniaru private hospital, but died this morning. He leaves a widow and young child.

IA rPER.SO NATION Ci 1A R OE. CHRISTCHURCH, March IS. William Alfred Maxwell was charged to-day with impersonating a member of the police force. Lena Dobbs, 19, evidenced that while sitting on the beach at Sumner -with a- man named George Hayward accused represented himself to be a policeman or beach patrolman, and Spoke to them. He said later to witness that lie could get her out of tbe case, but she must kiss him. Witness relused, and becoming frightened went into a shop. Hayward evidenced accused said be was a detective. Accused denied the charge and said be had not been at Sumner for 15 years. Accused was fined £25 and costs. The Afagistrate l emulated that the circumstances were very bad indeed and that accused deserved gaol.

FARMERS PNTON DANNEYIRKE. Afarch 18. The executive of the Southern Hnwkes Bay Farmers fnitm brieffv discussed the Arbitration Court at. a

meeting yesterday and decided—Phut this provincial executive requests the Dominion Executive to take steps to have the Arbitration Court abolished and in its place to set up industrial boards of co-operation between employers and employees. No indication was given as to bow the proposed boards would be constituted or bow they would operate. The matter of telephone charges was also discussed, it being contended that country residents were unfairly treated compared with towns. It. was decided to make representations to the Dost and Telegraph Dejurtment to have the charges to users of telephones in the country, particularly those residing in the backblocks. reduced. COMMITTED FOR, TRIAL. TIAfARU, Afarch 18.

Emily Afargiret Crosson was to-day committed for trial at tbe Supreme Court on faun charges of alleged wrongful disposal of sheep and wool under the Chattels Transfer Act. AVOOL FOR SALE. NAPIER. Afarch IS.

A statement from Auckland that only SOO bales of wool are avaifible for the next Napier sale is incorrect. Already 1177 bales are in store and this will be added to. Probably the total will be 1200 to 1400 bales.