DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BV TKI.ECItAnr—Pit ESS ASSN., COrYHIGIIT KAWAR.AU DAM. DUN ED IN, June 20. Under the influence cf very hard frosts, the Kawarau River continues to fall steadily. There Was a very hard frost on Saturday night, a,ml the most severe frost of the season occurred last night. A\ here reliable levels have been taken. the drop in the river is pronounced. Tn a wide stretch of the river, at the town, the water is seven inches lower than on Friday. At the Natural Bridge Claim yesterday the river had fallen 15 inches in a narrow gorge since Friday. The frosts show distinct signs (if continuing, and they will tighten many mountain streams, while both the Nevis and Shotover Rivers will .show the effects also.

Though no great work is being undertaken yet, the majority awaiting a further drop, several Companies have won a few pennyweights, mostly of heavy gold. The Natural Bridge Ckiirn is still the centre of interest. On Friday the Manager secured an additional seven dwt.s of gold, and yesterday several of the Directors secured just on two ounces, making approximately six ounces to date since Thursdav.

The natural obstructions in the Kuwanin, River are now receiving consideration . and the blasting of these would - cause a considerable drop in many places. Particularly i.s this pronounced at the point where the Natural Bridge is winning its gold. More work is likely on the river falls. Visitors to the dam report there is a fair leakage ait the gates, hat this could be nfcsily sealed. There should ho developments this week.

A Clyde correspondent reports that there is much disappointment locally at the result- of closing the Kawarau Da.m. The river is certainly lower, hut il has been considerably lower belore tlie advent of the gates. In tlie Clyde Gorge there are several foot, more water tlia.ii in July, 1925.

CHARGE OF THEFT. GISBORNE. .Tune 20. A solicitor, John Xoden Billiard, was charged at the Police Court this morning with theft of £135 !)r,, the proport of Teat and Fliar and was liinauded to July fourth, bail in self of £3llO and one surety of 0300. BROADCAST STATION. WELLINGTON. June 2,1. It- i.s now stated that tlie date for the official opening of Broadcast Station 2YA. Wellington will be July Jfitli. A MAN KILLED. MASTER TON, June 20. John McKenzie, single, aged 24. with no relatives in the Dominion, was killed this afternoon through being crushed under a motor-lorry which fell down a l ank on the Ilinkuia 17771, out of Martinbo rough. Deceased was a County employee, and in company with a workmate, was being given a ride on a motor truck by a youth named Lofort. While negotiating the hill, the back wheels struck the edge < f a culvert, and the machine bended over the side of the road, falling about 20 feet:. The driver and the other passengers were thrown clear, but the deceased was crushed beneath olio of the hack wheels.

NOTED JOURNALIST DEAD. CHRISTCHURCH. June 21

Obituary.—John R. Olliver, aged 49 years, after a short illness. He was one of I lie besi known sporting journalists in the Dominion, and was oil the staff of the “ Referee ” for 28 years, for the last 18 months as editor.

OILFIELDS REPORT. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 21. The Taranaki Oilfields reported that No. 2 well was drilled to 1790 feet, the last five feet being hard shell. The 10-ineli casing is down 1757 feet in the Gisborne No. 1 bore. Good weather is enabling good progress to be made.

MASSEY MEMORIAL. WELLINGTON, June 21. The Massey Memorial Committee, consisting of the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament, the Premier, Chief Justice and a member of the late Premier’s family, will probably meet at Wellington this week to discuss the design of the memorial.

A BAD YOUTH. PALMERSTON N., June 21. Several week-end episodes were investigated before Mr Stout, S.M.. at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. A youth of eighteen. Leslie Joseph Murphy, pleaded guilty to converting to his own use, a car valued at over C2OO, breaking and entering a shop at Foxton and stealing two portmanteaux and contents valued at over £3O; also theft of a stock whip from a drover. The police stated accused was a ward of the State, employed in Hawke’s Bay. He left Darmevirke on Saturday secreted in a train waggon. Oil arrival at Palmerston North he appropriated the car from a public stand and drove to Rangiotu, where running short of petrol he abandoned the vehicle. Proceeding to Foxton lie broKe into the store of Barr and Tyres, stealing portmanteaux and contents. He slept the night on the premises and the following morning left. At the railway he purloined a stock whip while the owner was trucking stock. Later accused was apprehended. Tiie charge of breaking and entering was reduced to‘theft and accused was sent to Borstal Institute for three years. On the other charges lie was convicted and discharged.

A COSTLY JOKE. AUCKLAND, June 21. Alexander Mitlholland pleaded not guilty at the Police Court to a charge of assuming the designation of detective. He approached two men in an hotel and asked for their names and addresses, saying lie was a detective. A constable was called and nrro«t<- ’ Mulholland. One of the men admitted he regarded the incident as a joke at the time and this was the ease for the defence, it being stated accused was a steady, reliab’e man. Mr McKean. S.M. said the act did not provide for jokes of this kind. Accused was fined £lO and costs.

A SOLDIER’S ILLNESS. DUNEDIN. June 21. After two appeals to the Pension Appeal Board for 12 months collection of evidence, the R.S.A. has scoured recognition that an ex-sofdier’s illness in hospital since 1921 is attributable to war servoe. This means not only a retrospective pension, approximately £690 sterling but also provision for treatment during the vho’e period at the charge of the Department. CARGO PILLAGERS. AUCKLAND. June 21. John Wallace Thurlow, 25, and Lewis Robert William Knight, 25, were charged at the Police Court with pillaging cargo from the holds of vessels. Accused pleaded guilty. All the goods had been recovered. The Magistrate said those thefts bad extended over a long period. He convicted both on one charge and remanded them until Tuesday in custody.

AUCKLAND TRAMS. AUCKLAND. June 2i. The Tramways Committee of the City Council is seriously considering a proposal to increase the tramways revenue by the abolition of oencessiun tickets and running shorter sections.