DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) UNION OF COUNTIES. THE SUBSIDY PROVISIONS. M ELLINGTON, September 2. Commenting on the article in which the possibility of the union of tho counties ot Alai vein, Sehvyn and Tawera is discussed, the aeting-Alinister °i Internal Affairs observed that while the procedure in effecting union had] been lullv discussed, it did not appear that tlio full effect of the subsidy provisions made by the Government last session had been realised. It was desirable therefore to rail attention to the provisions of section 12 of the Finance Act, 1920. The effect of that section is that where two or more counties unite the subsidy payable to the united county shall not be less than Die aggregate amount of subsidy that Mould have been payable to each individual county had union not taken place. This means that a district develops and becomes entitled to more subsidy the united country would reap the bouifit of additional subsidy. In addition it affects the maximum and minimum repectively as if three counties are united the possible maximum subsidy for the united county would lie £7500, while tile minimum subsidy would be £ISOO.

THREE -MILLIONS. PORTER CLAIMS TO BE HEIR. DUNEDIN, September 2. Mr John Cochrane AloLaehlnn, of -Wacamlrew’s Bay, Dunedin, being in possession- of the necessary particulars, some of which have been recently acquired, is now definitely a claimant for what is known as the C'lippens estate oi property and money, tho ownership o! which has not been proved tor seventy years. Clippcns is in the County of Renfrew, Scotland, and the gross value is said to be three millions. It is understood that the claimant proposes to proceed without delay to the Old Country to propound his! claim. The estate was left by Dr j Peter Cochrane, of Clippcns, Renfrew-] •shire one of the founders of the East! India Company. Ah- AlcLnehlan is his; grandson, and being now up in years,! be has given a power of attorney to] iiis son. Wilitfim Cochrane AlcLaelilan.! one of the “Red Caps” at tho Dun-j odin railway station. !

AfAN WITH THROAT CUT. CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 1. Ascribing his act to the effects of a drinking bout, a labourer, whose name was suppressed, appeared at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, charged with attempting suicide by cutting his throat with a. razor. He pleaded guilty. Scnr-Scrgt. Martin said the accused was discovered by a passer-by in Aloorhonse Avenue with his tliout cut, and a razor beside him. He was taken to the Christchurch hospital, where skilled attention saved his life. Tho accused consented to a prohibition order, and be was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon, and was also ordered to pay £1 15s expenses.