AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

•.Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

N.S.W. NEW INDUSTRY

SYDNEY, .May 12

The new primary industry that has grown up in the Murrumbidgco irrigation area, New South Wales, is that of rice-growing. Experiments have proved rice can he cultivated at a .substantial profit to growers. It is estimated that from two thousand acres under crop this year the harvest, valued at £80,001) will he reaped. The crop yielded from eighty to one hundred bushels an acre. It. is expected (hat next year's crop will lie iniieh greater.

POUND FOP WEST AUSTRALIA .MELBOURNE, .Mav 12.

The Duke and Duchess of York were enthusiastically la re we! led by the pitblie when they passed through on their way to the Renown. Biief stops were made at Spencer Street and Flinders Stations. The Royal Party left the train at Montague and drove through surging crowds to the pier. The Renown left at an early hour this morning for West Australia.

DUTY ON DOMINION PUTTER SYDNEY. May 12

The Tariff Board is hearing an application by the Primary Producers Unions of New South Wales, for an increase of duty on imported New Zealand butter from twopence to sixpence per pound, and a request that the duty nu eliecee he increased to sixpence per pound. Patrick Grant, president of the applicant organinsatiuii, explained the object of the application was to improve the financial position of dairymen. by providing means whereby he might obtain n higher price for that portion of his produce, which was said within the Commonwelth. It was also desired to make the importation of butter into the Commonwealth tin profitable, except at times when it was impracticable to supply the Commonwealth requirements from within. The wages of persons engaged in the dairying industry were considerably below those engaged in other primary rural industries. An owner of butter which was displaced by importations had the option of reducing the price or exporting portion. He could not sell so the process of reduction went on till it was no longer profitable. I o bring butter ini-) the Commonwealth both New Zealand and London had been brought down to about the 1.-union parity. Unless some sol stantial assistance ■was p;i ven lie dec-la red, a proat many dairying people v/oiiM !»e h.ived out of business. The quantity ot New Zealand butter imported into Australia in If)2(i was 21.-120 boxes From the first of July to the thirtieth ,e! April of this year 15,131 boxes had been imported. The hearing was adjourned.

[by telegraph—per press association.] BETTING FINES. CHRISTCHURCH, May 12. The second hatch of eases as the result of the recent raid on the premises of A. V. Whiila 0 oivicted lor being v a. bookmaker) were heard tudav. Virtually all defendants resided

some distance from the city, one was a woman in Southland, fines were imposed ranging from t'2 to £ls tor betting with a bookmaker.

UNPROMISING WEATHER. GISBORNE. May 12

The weather was dull and unpromising for the second day id the jubilee celeliratfous. The l iwn is heilagged mid decorated and crowded with visitor.-. This meriting a thank giving service was held aL 1 lie Botanical Hardens. A. hint heon to the pioneers was held at the Cariis.ni Hail at noon, at which 35! > of the earliest residents

of the district were entertained, this afternoon a procession is to he heed, comprising hand, troops, veteran.-. Scouts. Girl Guides, and the I'ire Brigade, also decorated c-ais and trade displays, illustrative <:f the development of various forms ol traction. Iron; the bullock wagon to the latest lorry, and the old time couch to the e.u lio.st and latest model of ears.

Speaking at the luncheon, lion. Bollard paid a tribute to the pioneers and said the early New Zealanders who set so well a foundation of the Dominion should earn the lasting gratitude of all. and those who come after us, for it was they who hy dint of hard work and perseverance against many odds, made the country what it. is to-day. He referred to the richness of the district and the improvement in communication which Gisborne had now, it being si isolated, and paid a tribute to the memory of the late Sir James Carroll.

PROMISING RACEHORSE DIFS

GISBORNE, A fay 12

D. .J. Barry’s, Autumn gelding. Ngnwnti, died on the boat between Napier and Gisborne from an unknown cause. The demise ended a career full of promise, for Ngav.ati had proved a sound handicap performer. his latest effort being a dead heat with Decoy Bird in the Porongabau Handicap at even weights. Ngnwnti wa. bred by Barry at Gisborne.

WO AIFN SHOPLIFTERS. AUCKLAND. Alav 12

Two widows. Lottie Taylor. 35, and Fanny Carter, 45, were charged at the Police Court with thefts from shops. The former was sentenced to one month's imprisonment and the latter find goo. Taylor previously had been convicted on a shop lifting charge. When her house was searched it was found she had a very expensive wardrobe. Taylor said she had an income and Carter was in poor circumstances. Both were caught in the act of tlnev-

COURT SENTENCES. AUCKLAND. Atay 12

At the Supreme. Court Daniel Aitf'arthv .alias F. 4Y. Newton, on eight charges of breaking, entering and there and Tine of breaking and entering with felonoiis intent and one of false pretences, were sentenced to two years hard. , Russell Svdney Diamond, tor breaking, entering and theft, to two years’ Borstal.

William Richard Bannister, forgery and uttering, to two years’ reformative detention.

TRAAI COY’S LOSS. AUCKLAND, Alav 12.

Takapuna Tram and Ferry Coy. which recently sold most of its assets to Devonport Ferry Coy for forte thousand pounds, shows a loss on the past year’s working of “19,200.

RAILWAY CASES

CHRISTCHURCH. Alav 12

Pleading guilty to theft from the Railway Department of sums totalling 97,703, two ex-servants of the Department. Gordon Gavin Matson and John James Neilson, who came before the Supreme Court to-day, were remanded till to-morrow morning for sentence. Fifteen charges against them, included six of having forged signatures on paysheets. The trial is proceeding of Michael Lyons, who pleaded not guilty to the theft of £1.193 and to six charges of forgery.