DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

- ■ [BT TELEOItAril — PEfl PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

STATE AIIX !•: IDLE. GR.'KYMCVOTH, Hay 18. T!i<' .Tames (State) .Mine is idle today owing to a break down to the main haulage engine. It is expected to resume working on Friday.

HOARDINGHOUSE FIRE. WELLINGTON. May 18. A fire occurred at 12.21 lasi night in a two storey hoarding house in the Terrace occupied by Mrs Barrett. The balcony and bedroom were ablaze, j The flames were quickly suppressed by J the Brigade, but Gilbert Martin, mar- j ried, *l4, one of the occupants received j severe burns to his left side, arm, i body and face. He was hospitalle 1 and bis condition 0 fairly serious. | The owner of the house is Margaret \ O'Connor. Insurance is C4fio con-, touts ill the Royal, £2OO building in the Phoenix. Smoking is supposed to ■ lie the cause of the fire. EDUCATION BOARD’S RESOLUTION. DUNEDIN, May 18. The Education Board passed a resolution supporting any proposal ol the Howard League for penal reform and for the endowment of lectureship in experimental pyschologv is the Otago University as calculated to very materially improve the training of teachers, and as a. most urgent step towards the solution of the problems of retarded and mentally defective children.

COAL SEAM STRUCK. DUNEDIN, May 18. The new Kaitangata Coal Coy. has struck a twelve feet thick seam, which proves to ho a continuation ol the main coal seam. DIED FROM SCALDS. DUNEDIN, May 18. Hazel Edna Anderson, aged 8 years, died at the hospital from burns sustained through falling on a range and upsetting two ketlos ol boiling water. She was badly scalded on the chest, back, shoulder, arm ami leg. TUBS BROKEN. AUCKLAND, May 17.

To fall ,15ft and escape with only three broken ribs and minor abrasions was the experience of Air J’olm C. Praflin, foreman of the City Council works at Nihotupu. yesterday afternoon. Mr Draffin was directing operations from tlie wall of the dam situated between the water outlet and the scour pipe when he slipped and fell to the concrete below. He received first aid until the arrival of a doctor from the Auckland Hospital. The accident happened shortly hefore three o’clock in the afternoon, and at ten o’clock Draffin was admitted to hospital, having been conveyed in the doctor’s car.

TAUPO RAILWAY. DISCUSSED BY NATIVES. TAUMARANUJ, May 17. A large meeting of Natives of the Xgati-Tuwharetoa tribe was held at Kakahi last night, to discuss the position in regard to the proposed railway line from Kakahi to Lake ’lnupo. Air 1 M. 11. Hampson, solicitor lo the Natives, outlined the dealings between the Natives and the Tongarir i Timber Company, since 1 DUG, and eventually it- was resolved that, as the Natives could see no possibility of the Company fulfilling its obligations, the Tongariro 'limber Company should he wound up. It was further agreed that the Native owners should petition Parliament and ask to have their agreement with the company cancelled, that legislation be passed to incorporate all their lands and that a Board of Directors be formed, with power to borrow money and build railways to Lake Taupo. It was stated at the meeting that there were 2.030.000.000 feet of timber in the block, and II this was rated at (Id per hundred feet, it would realise £500.0110. which would be more than sufficient to build a railway up to the standard required by the Government. Finally, it was resolved that, in the event of the proposal being accepted bv the Government, action be taken at once to go on with the proposition and the building of the railwav.

TFTE ROYAL VISIT. OFFICIAL SOUYEXTR. WKLLIXGTON, A lay 17. | The initial copy of the official pictorial souvenir of the Royal visit to the Dominion came off the press today, and as forecasted by the Minister of Publicity (the Hon G. J. Anderson) the publication is an attractive issue. The booklet, which is issued by the Government Publicity Office, does not purport to he a complete record of all the incidents of the Royal journey through the North and South Islands, hut it furnishes an adequate illustraed description of the tour. Photograph and letter-press, enclosed in an embossed cover of blue and gold, tell again the story of hotv the great welcome which began with the arrival of TT.AI.S. Renown on February 22nd. retained its warmth until the day of departure, March 22nd. The early pages are taken up with some appropriate New Zealand verse, a striking portrait of the Duke and of the Duchess, a message from the Prime Minister summarising the results of the tour, and a grouped photographic study of Ministers of the Crown. Then ( commences in earnest the description of the tour. An excellent selection of photographs has been made, and these are reproduced in composite pages, each service being worked on panels decorated with emblematic drawings. The unveiling of the war.memorial at > Rotorua and the presence of Royalty in Greymouth arc two of the many scenes in which the artist has successfully applied the embellishment noted. Another feature that should appeal is to be found towards the end of tile souvenir. Here two pages have been devoted to a series of delightful snapshots of their Royal Highnesses. The letter press part of the publication has been well executed. The souvenir will be placed on sale to the public in the different centres at a popular price.

G 0 Y R R XOR -G EXE R AL. TAIHAPE. May 17. The Governor-General arrived last night at Taihnpe, in order to unveil a soldiers’ memorial to-day. The town for the occasion assumed a gala appearance. being decorated with flags and evergreens. The weather was fine and bright. His Excellency this morning inspected the schools, delivering addresses to pupils. Later in the day lie inspected Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, giving inspiring addresses. Tn the afternoon lie unveiled the soldiers’ memorial, a massive obelisk in the centre of the town, in the presence of a large assemblage of people. Kengi Topai, (LITE., paramount chief of the Tuwharetoa Tribe, welcomed His Excellency to the district on behalf of the Maoris, and presented him with handsome Maori mats. In the evening His Excellency attended a Masonio function, and was

' the guest at a Masonic banquet afterwards. ! Owing to -slight indisposition, as little demand as possible was made on j His Excellency’s time. j CAR DRIVER KILLED. \ WHAN CARET, May 17. A road accident, resulting in the death of one concerned, occurred at 1.30 on Monday afternoon between Kaeo and Whangaroa. A live-seater cur. driven by Mr Julian Shepherd, of Whargaroa, and containing two passengers was rounding a bend in the , road when it encountered a lorry .driven by Mr Scott, of Kaeo. In at-

tempting to p:iss the ear ran off the road and leaped down a bank fourteen feet, turning over and landing on its wheels again. The driver, who suffered severe head and body injuries, never recovered consciousness and died an hour or two after admission to Whangaroa Hospital. Air William Afosclem sustained head injuries, hut he soon recovered consciousness and is now in bed at his home at Whangaroa. The third occupant of the ear, a lady doctor, was not seriously injured, though she received a severe shock.

DOMINION PRODUCE. WELLINGTON. Alay 10. The Department of Agriculture lias received the following cablegram, dated Alay If. from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London :—- BUTTER. The market is steady. Official quotations are:— New Zealand—Finest salted, 158 s to 1 ilOs per ewt (Is 43*1 to Is oil per lb); uusalted. Bits to 108 s per ewt (Is old to Is Od per lb); other qualities, lobs to loOs per ewt (Is -lid to Is 4.1 d per II.). Australian—Salfed, 150 s to 158 s per ewt (Is 41(1 to Fs 4:1 d per lb) ; uns'ilted. Hilts to 101 s per ewt (Is oil to Is old per lb' ; other qualities. 1 12s to loos per ewt (Is 3d to Is -ltd per lb). Argentine—Uusalted. 153 sto loOs per ewt (Is 4jd to Is lid per lb) ; other qualities. 1 18s to 152 s per ewt (Is J.jd to Is 4,’d per lb). Danish—lßos to 104 s per ewt (Is od to Is o.jd per lb). Siberian-—lsos to 152 s per ewt (Is Id to Is 11(1 per lb).

Shipments of New Zealand produce arrived this week per Port Albany and Port Brisbane.

FKT.fi FROM ROOF. TTAAI.ILTOX, .May 17. A fatal accident occurred when Donald Tcbslaff, aged seventeen, was struck by a piece of asbestos, which was being handled on a - roof, and knocked off. falling Sift to the ground. He sustained a fractured skull and died in a few hours without regaining consciousness. K AAV ARAL GOLD CLAIAIS. DUNEDIN, Alav 17. Hard frosts are being experienced in Central Otago, and with the rivers fulling steadily, it should not he long before the Knwarau Company closes the dam gates at Frankton Falls. SUPPORT OF LABOUR. DUNEDIN. Alay 17. “We think Labour should support spoil, hut it is not necessary for sport to support Labour.” stated a member of the Otago Football Association last night when an invitation to attend Air IT. E. Holland’s address was received. Air A. N. Smith said the association was not a political body, and he would strongly object to action being taken. No action was proposed.

THE SPEED LIMIT. DUNEDIN. May 17. “We had a request from a motor company asking for an increase in the speed limit,” said Air .). Ritchie at last night’s meeting of No, 1G District Highways Council, when a circular was received from the Alain Highways Board regarding excessive and dangerous speeding on main highways and suggesting that wherever possible local bodies should prosecute for such offences. Tt was pointed out that complaints had been received about the speed of motor vehicles, especially ser-

Mr Ritchie said that some of the county councils had turned down such requests for an increase. The chairman (Air R. J. Afarks) said that there should he some uniform speed throughout the district. Air K. Morgan said that the matter was a difficult one to deal with, for what suited one place would not suit another. It was reported that ihe circular had been brought under the notice of the various countv councils.

RAILWAY COXTROL. AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM FAVOURED ATTCKLAXD, May I'. After a three months’ study of train traffic control in South Australia and Victoria Air K. S. Ilrittenden, of the New Zealand Railways Department, came hack by the Ulininroa to-day. He leaves to-night for AVellington, liis headquarters. Associated with AH Brittenden in his inquiries was J. F. W. Smith, also of the head office, who will return shortly. Mr Brittenden says that the system used in South Australia and Victoria, is an excellent one. Without it lie is doubtful whether the volume of traffic could lie adequately controlled.

The system briefly is this: All traffic is governed by a Control Office. A special type of telephone, known as the Selects telephone, is used. If there are thirty stations on the line they are all connected by telephone with the central office. At no time can one substation talk to another substation. Con Versntion is restricted and can ho car ried on only with the central station. By this system the Control Officer knows within a minute exactly where a certain train is. When it leaves one of the substations the operator there telephones immediately 'to the Control Officer, who has a chart in front oi him. by which he can trace the propress of a train.

“This particular system is being used in many countries,” said Air Brittenden. “It is most effective, and without it 1 hardly think that the big amount of traffic could ho coped with.”

It is possible that the Xew Zealand railways will adopt the system shortly. It is proposed to try it out from Wellington to Afarton in the Xorth Island, and from Christchurch to Onmaru in the south. Possibly it will not be used on all lines Those lines that carry most traffic will he controlled for a beginning.

CAR THIEVES. AUCKLAXD, May 18. The destruction of'stolen ears continues here. The latest case is that of a five-sea ter car. owned hv G. H. Knight, stolen from a city street on Alonday night. The joy-riders, having apparently completed their journey, got out of the car at the top of Liverpool Street shortly after one o’clock, and then deliberately let it go dashing 200 yards down a hill. It struck a telegraph pole, then a brick wall, and, gathering a terrific pace, finally came to rest tangled up in a fence at the foot of the hill, very considerably damaged.