DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1927, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[uv TELEGHAPH —PEU PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 FAMILY’S POVERTY. REVOLTING CONDITIONS. WELLINGTON, April 27. A pathetic story was unfolded in the Children’s Court this morning, when an application was made to Air .T. 11. Salmon, S.AL, and Airs A. AleVicar, J.P., associate of the Children’s Court, to have a number of children 'committed to a- home. The evidence disclosed that the action had been taken by the Child AVelfare Department. The children were members of a family of 12 living in a Wellington suburb among deplorable surroundings, and under filthy conditions. They were not sufficiently clothed, and the house of four rooms lacked sanitary conveniences of any kind, while water had to he carried some hundreds of yards. The mother had come to work in Wellington, leaving the children in charge of the eldest daughter, a girl of 17, who had been doing her best for them. The Health Officer said that the conditions in the house were indescribably filthy, and he proposed to serve « cleansing order upon tho landlord as soon as the family vacated the place. Both Air Salmon and .Mrs AleViear expressed the opinion that the case was one of the most deplorable that had come before them. After hearing the evidence of the Child Welfare Officer, and with the consent of the parents, an order was made committing the live youngest children to the care of the superintendent of child welfare. HARBOUR BLAZE. AUCKLAND, Alay 1. The motor launch Edna AVhite, one of the best known of the harbour passenger craft here, and valued at several thousand pounds, was totally destroyed by fire when slio berthed at Kohimarama wharf at 8.30 o’clock on Saturday night. The owner Air George AVhite, had just stepped on to the wharf after the disembarkation ol a party from the city, when he saw the launch on fire amidships. He jumped back into the cockpit, but on opening the cabin door, found the interior was a roaring furnace, and he had to return to the safety of the wharf before the benzine tanks exploded. The boat burned fiercely, becoming a total loss. It is understood the launch is insured for £I,SOO- - BROKEN. BLENHEIM, Alay 2. Leo. O’Brien, full back for ALoutere ( lul). playing on Saturday was tackled by an opposing player, and sustained a fractured leg. He was hospitalled. INSURANCE REPORT. WELLINGTON, May 2. The report of Insurance Statistics for 1925 by the Government Statistician shows the Public: I rust Office held deposits required by law amounting to over a million. There were -10 accident insurance companies and eleven life assurance companies, hut the numbers of the others are not given. The principal feature was the large increase in business recorded, which also applies to the industrial life assurance.