DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

(Bv Telegraph—Per Press Association.) NO-LICENSE PARTY. WELLINGTON, June 10. Resolutions were passed at a demonstration to-night in connexion- with the New Zealand Alliance, that the Government introduce licensing legislation at an early date in the coming session of Parliament, making provision for the submission of two issues, viz., National Continuance and National Prohibition, to the electors in the triennial referendum on the licensing question.

The meeting recorded opposition to tlie suggestion that an. extension ol tin; time between the taking of ihe licensing referendum should be made, and called attention to the waste in men and money entailed in the annual expenditure of over eight millions sterling on alcoholic beverages in the Dominion.

UNCUSTOMED JAM. NEW PLYMOUTH, .June 18. A( llbe Police Court, this morning. I’oy Edward Hayes, a walersitler. was tim'd fJo for being found in possession of uncustomed goods In I lie shape of six tins of jam valued at £2 !'s, taken front the steamer. Port Hardy.

A BURGLARY GISBORNE. Juno IS. Tho premises of Peftie and ( u,v worn raided last evening and a number of small articles taken by burglars wlm -mashed a glass panel ol the trout dour and .made a. hasty tour ol the lower Hour.

A SETTLEMENT. GISBORNTI, June IS. An amicable settlement lias been reached in Hie dispute between the Gisborne Harbour Board and the New Zealand Shipping Coy., over salvage of the liner Northumberland. The Board agreed to accept the Coy’s cheque for £llOl in full settlement of its claims, both 011 its own behalf and for its employees. The settlement was reached as the result of the Board agreeing to withdraw its claim for £‘2ooo for ti.mo lost iu prosecution of tho harbour works while the plant was diverted to the assistance of the Northumberland and for £7OO establishment charges.

ON PROBATION. GISBORNE, June 18. John Henry Grayson and John Simpson two young men who put spikes on the railway line were placed on probation for twelve months by the Magistrate to-day.

AN ARREST. AUCKLAND. June 18.

A smart arrest was made last night by two acting detectives whose suspicions were aroused by t'ho movements of an old criminal named Thomas Rogers. When ajproheuded, he was found to have in bin possession a plug of gelignite. Rogers was sent to gaol this morning for three months at ihe Police Court.

A SERIOUS CHARGE. AUCKLAND, June 18.

John Crane, alias Ivan Kraganieh, was remanded on a charge el assaulting jhi.s wife who sought a separation on the grounds of persistent cruelty. Counsel for the wife stated she was frightened of her husband, who yesterday got a rope round her neck and dragged her around the yard. He also threatened to murder her little girl, of whiijh ho was not the father. Counsel for the accused said a different complexion would be put on tho matter when the case comes on again Accused was warned to keen away from his wife in the meantime, BENZ INE EXP LOST ON. AUCKLAND, June 17.

Three motor trucks were destroyed by fire at the Park Avenue Garage, Papatoetoe, at nine o’clock last night. When it quantity of stored benzine exploded the whole building was wrecked. 'Pile owner was Mr W. R. llnmi I-

KOBBERY ACTION DROPPED. AVH ANGAREI, June 17. A sensational story of wayside robbery with violence by motor bandits, involving tbe taking of £lO irom one George Weston, which as reported a fortnight ago, subsequent upon exhaustive enquiries by polic-e officials revealed circumstances as the result of which further action, lias been dropped.

A FIRE. ROTORUA, June 18

A fire gutted a costumier’s shop occupied by Mrs Margaret Ross, in Tutaneki Street. Tbe alarm was given by tlje occupant living on tlie premises. The brigade confined the flames to the shop. Apartments adjoining were undamaged, save by smoke.

.MOTOR CYCLIST KILLED. AUCKLAND, June 18

A collision between a motor cycle and a lorry at Alt. Roskill at six last evening resulted in fatal injuries to the cyclist, T. E. Short, married, 40, of Art. Eden. He ran bead on into a heavilv laden lorry, fractured bis spine and died at tbe hospital at two this morning. ELECTROCUTED. PALMERSTON N., June 18. A man named Afark Gardiner, single, about 21, employed ns a fitter at Mnngnlmo, met with a tragic end last night. He was engaged working in tlie neighbourhood of No. 3 dam when lie came in contact with a live wire and fell backwards into tbe dam below. Assistance was quickly forthcoming and the body recovered, restorative methods being employed for five hours without avail, Gardiner passing away at 2 o’clock this morning. Deceased came from England last September and was engaged on tbe works for the past six months. He has a brother also at Afangabao. Other members of tbe family are resident in tbe Old Country.

GOODS TRAIN DERAILED. DUNEDIN, June 19. Just about a mile to the north of Upper Port Chalmers, a cutting in the vicinity of McGregor’s tunnel was the scene of a derailment to the goods train from Palmerston, yesterday afternoon. Five waggons dropped over the bank at the side of the railway line, and three others came off the track. The accident, the cause of which has not yet been ascertained, occurred about 3 o'clock. The first express from the north was delayed for several hours, and did not reach Dunedin untf hours, and did not reacli Dunedin until about f) o’clock.