DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

DOMINION TRANSPORT. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 3. At a special meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to-night, to consider the Prime Minister's proposal to establish a Ministry for Transport, it was resolved: “That the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce protests most vigorously against the suggestion made by the Alinister of Railways, in his annual statement, that a Alinistry for Transport should he established, principally for the purpose of controlling motor transport, on the following grounds: (1) That the country urgently requires a decrease, and not an increase, in the overhead cost of the public service ; (2) that the proposals are in direct opposition to the forces of progress and individual enterprise, to which forces New Zealand owes its prosperity.” The meeting also recorded its strong dissent from the system of leaving so many matters legislated upon to he further dealt with by Order-in-Coun-cil.

EDUCATION AT ISLANDS. AUCKLAND. Oct. 4. Satisfactory progress is shown in developments of the New Zealand Educational system in AYestern Samoa, Fiji, and Niue Island, says Dr Caughley, (cx-Direetor of Education), who to-day returned from a visit of investigation to the Islands on behalf of the Government. FOURTEEN DAYS HARD. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 4. AA'alter Somerville, aged 30, single, was sentenced to fourteen days’ gaol to-day for attempting to defraud the Citizens’ Unemployment Committee by representing he was married.

SHUNTER INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 4. L. J. Hayman, a .shunter, was hospitallcd in a grave condition, as tTie result of an accident at tho railway yards early this morning. He was found under a truck, injured in the hack niul head.

THE UNEMPLOYED. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 4

Humours were circulated in tho City this morning that a section of unemployed intended to rush the Citizens’ Relief Depot and demand food, and if it were not forthcoming, to take the depot stocks by force. 'As a result, police were hurried to Victoria. Square, hut the proceedings passed off quietly. A deputation appeared and merely made a request for work under the City Council.

A CHINESE ESTATE. AUCKLAND, Oct. 4. Justice Stringer is hearing a case arising out of claims against the estate of George Gee in connection with which a number of Chinese claim in respect of money which they- allege Gee held for them, and with which he ran a lottery or hank. Air Johnstone, for the Public Trustee, said the business was that of a Fan-tan Club and he claimed that as the transaction was unlawful, the plaintiffs were barred by the Gaming Act. In Gee’s estate the assets totalled £I,IGB against which were legitmate Chinese claims totalling £1,20!) and another £SOO was due to European creditors. His Honour reserved hi.s decision. SHOPLIFTER SENTENCED. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 4. Annie Ryan. 47, a widow, was sentenced to seven days to-day for .shoplifting of goods valued at Bs, Magistrate -Mosley saying: “There is no such tiling as irresistable impulse in this case. AA’here impulses are not resisted they must ho met by adequate punishment.” The police said the woman received £4 10s weekly from her husband’s estate. CAAIBRIDGE COMPETITIONS. CAMBRIDGE, Oct. 4. The fifth annual Cambridge Competitions Festival commenced yesterday, most auspiciously, entries total 510, easily a record for the Society. There are competitors from all parts of .the province, and the attendance is excellent. The adjudicators are vocal and instrumental music Temple AA’hitc (AA’ellington), elocution. Airs Bartley Baxter (Auckland). The festival closes on Friday night.

OILFIELDS REPORT. GISBORNE, Oct. 4. Taranaki oilfields report states AAaiapu No. 2 well is at- a depth of 2273 feet in shale, the 8-Vincli diameter casing being in place to 2200 feet. Gisborne No. 1 well, no drilling in progress, running an additional 151 inch diameter casing to 340 feet.