DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BT TELEGRAm—PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] NEW; ZEALAND TIMBER. StHTATHLITV FOR SCHOOL buildings. DUNEDIN. May 18. 'f he c|uestion of the> desirability of tho n-e of New Zealand timbers in the building of schools throughout the country cranio before a meeting of the Education Board to-day. The Minister of Education wrote inti inn ting that representations had been made to him regarding this matter, and he would be glad if tbo board would arrange to specify New Zealand timbers for school buildings when there was only a. small difference in price between these timbers and tlie imported article, and when the use of seasoned New Zealand timber would imt mean an undue delay in building operations. | TIIO board’s architect (.Mr J. Rodger) reported that New Zealand timber was used wherever it would give satisfactory results, and imported timber was not put in where New Zealandgrown would do equally as well. He pointed out. however, that durable New Zealand timber for work in the ground and in contact with damp was almost unprocurable and the prices were prohibitive. The suitability of tho timber must also lie considered, and the superior claim of imported timber for roof work, sashes, doors, etc., was generally recognised. Then, again, for school furniture, if iniport- ! oil timber was not to be used the result would be heavy articles of furniture at a. greatly increased cost. \ It was decided to send a copy of the architect’s report to tho Education , Department.

A FAMOUS VIOLIN. AUCKLAND, May 18. ! When Ki'rom Zimbalist plays for Auckland this evening his melodies will be produced from a violin which had not been played on in public for a hundred years. It is the rare and valuable Lamoureaux “Strati.” for which the celebrated violinist paid over CIO.OOO not a. year ago. What is still more interesting is that Zimbalist won the Lamoureaux in a battle of dollars with the famous Henry Ford, who 10- ' cently has taken to buying valuable fiddles. ! “What would he want it lorr ’ asked the musician. “He is only milking it I dillicult for performing artists to buy these rare and wonderful treasures on which we can play.” j Zimhalist has the finest private collection of violins in the world. The 1 next best is owned by the King of Spain. Three instruments made by the famous Stradi varitis are numbered among his collection. j PRISONER'S AIU’EAL FAILS. ’ AUCKLAND. May IS. Since drifting into the Dominion from Kremautle two years ago. dolin ! Deris, a quarter-caste Australian ahori- ! ginnl. has been convicted of thirly-lour offences, including drunkenness. obsccta- language, assault, indecent acts, lighting and trespassing on racecourses. A few days ago he was sentenced by the Magistrate lo six month’s imprisonment, to be followed by eighteen mouths’ reformative detention. for theft. This morning he made his how to Mr .Justice Iferdmati with an unusual application, namely, that the latter term should he reduced, stating that il given it. chance he would go hack to his t mi country. After reviewing Peris’s record and the circumstances of the ease (the stealing of it fur coat from a residence), tile .Judge said that lie did not think tho sentence out of the way If the prisoner desired to have the retormative detention reviewed, he cuiild apply to the Prisons Board. SCARLET FEVER EPIDEMIC. . WELLINGTON, May 18. The Medical Officer of Health states that scarlet fever is at present prevalent in ■Wellington. TonusT prm.ierrY. WELLINGTON, May IS. In a letter to the Government Publicity Office, the Belgian Tourist Office authorities express commendation of a series of photographs and views of the Dominion, and describing their system of exhibiting them A FATAL FIRE. NAP I Eli, May ID. An old man. supposed to he William Smith, was burned to death in a whare at Olive, at a late hour to-night, and a companion, who lived with him. was admitted to the hospital suffering from burns. No further details are available. NAVY COURT MARTIAL. PETTY OFFICER DISRATED. AUCKLAND. May If). I A Court-Martial was held on hoard ; H.M.S. Philomel to-day. Chief Petty Officer-Writer H. C. Wishar was charged with:—(l) Converting to his own use the sum of £SO entrusted to him last June for the purpose of being remitted to London on account of a seaman on H.M.S. Veronica; and (2'i having committed a breach of naval discipline in receiving money for transmission, ho not being an officer authorised to net in that capacity. The accused pleaded not guilty to tho first charge and guilty under extenuating circumstances to the second. Evidence was taken at considerable length. The defence did not deny receipt of the money, hut submitted that being distracted by personal troubles, tho accused locked the £SO away in a drawer, and forgot all about it. entirely through mental aberration. It was also stated for the defence that in the middle of July last the ship’s office was broken into and ransacked, and that it was not until the accused was preparing for transfer to the Diomede that lie remembered, and lie opened the drawer in which he had placed the money, and found it had disappeared. llis error and his omission to inform the Paymaster of the loss of the notes, of which the sum consisted, was. it was contended, entirely due to forgetfulness. The Court acquitted the accused on the first charge. The second charge was found to he proved, and the accused was adjudged to he disrated from Chief Petty Officer-Writer to Petty Officer Writer.

SHOP ASSISTANTS’ WAGES. WELLINGTON, May 19. The Conciliation Council is sitting in the dispute brought by the New Zealand Federated Shop Assistants' Union. Mr Hally is'presiding. The employees ask for Co 10s for male assistants. £3 13s for female employees. The employers offer £4 15s and £2 12s Gd. In the case of storemen £5 is asked by the Association, ami £4 is suggested by the employers. The employees ask for wages for branch managers to range from £7 to .£8 10s, and departmental managers £6 lO.s to £3.

GOLF COACH DIFS OF BURNS. WELLINGTON, May 10. Gilbert Martin, aged 44, a single man. and a professional golf coach, who was severely Burned in ,the outbreak of fire on Wellington Terrace, died to-night in the hospital.