DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(Bv Telegraph—Per Press Association. FI HE. WELLINGTON. July 17. Damage in the extent of several thousands of pounds was done by a lire m a two-storeyed wood and iron buii'ding in Lambton Quay. The building is owned by James Doherty, tailor, who used tbe first lloor as a workroom. Most of tbe damage was done to tbe premises of Jays. Ltd., ladies’ outfitters, on tlio ground lloor. Hundreds of frocks were ruined, .(dams Bruce. Ltd's cake shop adjoining tbe ground lloor, siilfered loss through water.

Ibe lire apparently started in Doherty’s workroom, which was gutted. The insurances are: Jays’ stock. (.’290(1 in the Prudential, fittings £l3O in the same office ; Doherty’s furniture and fittings, £3OO in the State and a similar amount in the Liverpool, Lonond and Globe ; Adams Bruce, stock and fittings, .fclnO in the Royal ; building. £I2OO in the New Zealand.

HOLIDAYS FOR NURSES. HAMILTON, July IS

A request was received from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union by the "Waikato Hospital Board to-day that the nurses employed at tlio hospital .should be given one day off duty in seven.

The Medical Superintendent, Dr G. W. Gower, said the request opened up a, difficult question. Tbe nurses at the Waikato Hospital were given privileges that few otiler nurses enjoyed. For instance, they were given a week’s holiday at tbe end of six months, and three weeks’ holiday at the end of ilie year. Duty was changed every fortnight, at I lie end of which each nurse was given 21 hours off duty, during winch she was allowed to leave tlio hospital. The nurses had recently expressed entire satisfaction with the present- arrangements, and no request tor a change had been made by them. .

The Superintendent added that lie knew that in hospitals where one day „ff in seven was supposed to be allowed. the arrangement was often not carried out, freqiionilv on account ol illness. If the one day olf in seven policy was adopted in Hamilton, many of the present privilege- would have to be given up. The Bciiird decided to reply to the Union on the lines of the Superintendtilt’s statement.

M0T() RI STS’ CO X F EI IE XC E • WELLINGTON, July 18. The Union- of North and South Island met to-day in a New Zealand Motor Conference. It was decided l hat both tin' island union.- be recommended to combine in a traffic salety campaign, ami to set up committees to further the project. ft was agreed that where a person was convicted of converting a. motor (or to hi- own use. but not. .-o as to lie guilty of theft, there should be no fine, but the minimum sentence of six months’ imprisonment. A motion favouring flic abolition of speed limits throughout the Dominion and providing that all offences for speeding be dealt with under Section 28 of (lie Motor Vehicles Act, 1921. was carried. The advisability of legislation to compel all bicycles t : carry a rear redlight was approved. The Minister of Justice is to be approached with a view to fixing a time limit of I I days far the issue by local bodies of summonses for traffic ofleiices bv motorists.

It was agreed that all motor drivers’ licenses .should be amended, entitling the holder t:> drive any class ol motor vehicle other Ilian a motor cycle or a traction engine. It was decided to ask the Government to amend the. Act making a motorist who gives a. pedestrian a, free ride not liable for any claim for death, or for any injuries sustained by the pedestrian in the event of an accident occurring: and to provide that all persons partaking of a ride in a motor ear •shall do so at their own risk. A motion that no car should be licensed for use in the Domiiion unless an insurance policy was produced in regard to same, without any exemptions, even if such car lias been stolen, or is being used w ithout colour of right, was carried. The Conference favoured the North and South Islands Unions each having a representative on the Main Highways Board, the Chairman to be given tbe right- of veto.

VALUELESS CHEQUES. PALMERSTON X., July 20. At the Police Court, Herbert Geo. Reddiiigton. a 'farm labourer, aged 19. pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence on charges of issuing valueless cheques at Woodville and Palmerston North. Accused was given work by a AA'oodville farmer, who later missed lbs cheque hook, which accused used to defraud shopkeepers, until arrested. Oil a charge of conversion of a bicycle at Dannevirke he was sentenced *to thirty-one days. Accused rode the bicycle to Paekakairikai and there discarded it.

CHAMBER OF COMMF.BCK. AUCKLAND. July 29. A report by the Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce advocated a more general adoption, of piece-work and greater elasticity m awards to meet varying conditions. The artificial stabilisation of wages had hampered recovery from periods of depression. and had increased unemployment. While not suggesting the abolition of the Court, the Chamber thought it might he better if it were composed of three independent members, one an economist, and then such minimum wages should he fixed as would actually be exceeded in normal times. The report was adopted as the united platform of the Chamber.

INQUEST VERDICT. AUCKLAND. July 20.

At an inquest on Daniel Neale, who died after lie was knocked down by a motor-ear on the evening of March 28th.. the Coroner found death was one to deceased being knocked down by a ear, the driver of which had not vet been discovered.

GAMING ACT

AUCKLAND, July 20

Joseph George Rees who was yesterday fined £4O for giving tote odds was fined the same amount at the police court today on two similar charges. Charles Pliiiphott. 72. who made two bets with a policeman was fined £lO an! Corneilus McDovitt another victim of a strange constable was fined.

WOMAN SHOPLIFTER AUCKLAND. July 29.

Alice Chapman, aged 43. who appeared in Court wearing a valuable fur coat and said she was engaged in domestic, duties, was fined £lO or fourteen days' imprisonment for theft from a. shop of a bedspread valued at six guineas.

DAIRY COMPANIES AMALGAMATE ROTORUA, July IS. By 130 votes to 114 the amalgamation of the Rotorua Co-operative Dairy Company with the New Zealand Cooperative Dairy Company, wfts con-

firmed at a meeting of suppliers of the former, which was held at Xgongolnha to-day.

Strong opposition was .shown to the proposal.

POWER BOARD’S CONFERENCE WELLINGTON, July 20.

The Power Boards’ Conference assembled to-day. It was addressed by Hons. J. G. Coates and K. S. Williams. Tbe latter spoke of the delay at Arapuni and mentioned what was being done to meet the position. AA'aikaremoaiia was being rushed on am] a Diesel plant was on order. Additions to Coleridge bad met the immediate position in Canterbury, but the demand was catching up and the Waitnki river is to be developed. In regard "to the proposed combined advertising campaign by all interests. Hon Williams -aid there was no hurry as the demand was catching up with the supply. When the supply was ample the campaign would he started. Air Nash. President of the Conference, stated full particulars will l, e placed before the next year’s Conference.

ANOTHER BURGLARY. ASHBURTON. July 20.

Another burglary was committed last night, the Farmers’ Co-operative Association’s stores being entered. A double sliding door was forced out of the runner and entry made between tlio door and the wall. Tlio stock stolen consists ol watches, cigarettes and confectionery, but Hie value is unknown as the police are still inquiring and are reticent.