DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) NEW POSTAGE STAMPS. WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. The Postmaster-General announces that there are now being issued new postage stamps of the denomination of 2jd for the islands of Aitutaki and Penrhyn, and of 2}d and 4d for the islands of Niue and Rarotonga. The new stamps are in keeping with the style of the current series of the island pictorial stamps, of which series they will form a part. They will he sold at the four principal centres of the Dominion, as well as in the l - lands concerned.

”1 lie design of the 2.Jd stamp, which is identical for each island, has as i central figure, a Rarotongan chief in ancient costume, ’ihe chief is wearing a head dress made of the feathers from a Wood Dove (or “ kakupa”) and the Bosun Bird (or “ tavaka ”). A spear held in the left hand denotes' hostility, hut a fan held in the right l hand denotes peace, and also that he is' n man of rank. The background of ' the stamp consists of a native hut! and a clump of palm trees form the' sides of a frame. I

Tim design of the 4d stamp, which is also the same for each island, depicts Rarotonga Harbour, and in the background Mount Rarotonga. The predominating colours will he blue for the 2£d denomination (as required by the Universal Postal Union Convention), and purple for the 4d denomination.

In consequence of the new issues, the New Zealand 2jd stamp overpi inted for use in each of the four islands, and the 4d stamp over-printed for use in Rarotonga will he withdrawn at 31st March next, unless the stocks become depleted in tho meantime.

LEGACY TO HOSPITAL. PALMERSTON N., Oct. 13. Tho Palmerston North Hospital Board was notified to-day that a legacy of between £I2OO and £ISCO had been left tho institution bv the late Mi' Joseph White, of Folding. The amount will carry a Government subsidy of £ for £.

UNREST IN THE ISLANDS. AUCKLAND, Oct. 14. Tho cruiser “Dunedin.” will leave for Alcaroa at 9.30 to-morrow morning, to continue her annual tour of New Zealand port.s rejoining the “Diomede” off Lyttelton Heads on Monday morning. The “Dunedin” was ordered to came up to the Devonport base, in anticipation that her services might he necessary, either at Samoa, or at tho Solomon Islands. However, as “H.M.S. Adelaide” has left Sydney for the Solomons and tho sloop “Veronica” is already at Suva., it was! thought that those two vessels would he capable of handling any crisis which might arise. Tho “Dunedin” was ordered to take in provisions and oil fuel for a. long cruise, hut fresh orders, received withing the past day or two. have made it unnecessary to finalise these preparations. A certain amount of concern is fie-, mg shown for the. Melanesian Mission steamer “Southern Cross,” which is due in the Solomons at any time niw. This vessel has already called at the New Hebrides on her periodical voyage north, during which she intends to call at tho usual mission stations.

It is not considered safe for the “Southern Cross” to undertake any protracted tour of the Solomon Islands, and specially of Tulagi, where the recent massacre occurred. However, the steamer is not equipped with wireless, and it has not been possible for any warning to lie communicated to her.

In view of this, instructions have been issued to the “Adelaide” to intercept the mission steamer and to ensure her a safe passage in the group.

MAORI GIRL BURNED. AVHANGAREI, Oct. 12.

An eight-year-old Maori girl. Mary Shortland, was severly burned at Moangawahino this morning through her clothes catching fire. A little brother extinguished the flames by throwing water over the girl. She was brought to the AVhangarei Hospital in a serious state.

THEFTS BY POSTMASTER. ROTORUA, Oet. 14

At the Magistrate's Court before Messrs W. L>. Richards and A. \ T . Merriman, J.P.’s, Frederick John Heerdegan, late postmaster at Ngongotahn, was charged with the six following offences:—(l) That on or about the 12th day of August, 1927, at Ngongotaha, being in possession of £3O as an officer of the Government, lie did steal the said sum of £3O; (2) that on or about 12th day of July, 1927, at Ngongotaha, being in possesion of £2OO, as an officer of the Government he did steal the said sum of £200; (3) that on or about 22nd day of September, 1927, be did attempt to steal the sum of £9O ; (4) on or silxmt 22nd day of September, 1927, lie did steal the sum of £10; (5) that on or about the 27th day of June, 1927, he did steal the sum of £55; (6) that on or about 15th day of July, 1927 lie did steal the sum of £lO. Detective J. IT. Sweeney prosecuted on behalf of the police. The accused was defended by Mr H. >). Cooney, if Tepuke. The Prosecutor stated it was understood that the accused would plead guilty, and counsel affirmed this. Lengthy evidence was given in support of the charges, also medical testimony of the accused’s state of mind and body. At the conclusion the Bench decided to commit the accused to the Auckland Court for sentence on all of the six charges. POSTAL PACKET THEFT. DUNEDIN, Oct. 14.

Charged with stealing 131 postal packages on September 21st, George (Ellis, clerk in the Post Office, appealed in the city police court to-day. He reserved his defence and was committed for trial.