DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) C’USTOAIS REVENUE. DUNEDIN, Oct. 31. The Customs revenue collected at Dunedin during October showed a heavy drop over the collection for October of last year, owing to fewer overseas vessels arriving. The figures (those for last year being in parentheses) areas folowsCustoms LT,5,321 13s (£00.501 Os Od) beer £25,001 IHs Id ( C 18,535 Us sd).

HARBOUR ST..FF REDUCED. GISBORNE, Oct. HI

In connection with the reduction toduv of the harbour engineer’s salary and dispensing of the services ol the Assistant Harbour Engineer and Costing Clerk, a notice of motion to rescind the resolution has been handed in by Air T. Todd.

CROSSAVORD PUZZLES. CHRISTCHURCH. Oct. HI

Last week three city newspapers were charged at the Alagistrate’s Court with aiding in the running of lotteries. The charges were in connection with the advertising of crossword puzzles, to which there were several possible solutions. The defenders were the publishers of the Press, Times and the Sun newspapers. The advertisements published had reference to the address of the promoters of the puzzle scheme, which was given merely as a number of a post office letter box. The correct solution "as deposited with the editor of one of the papers... The Alagistrato dismissed the information, finding there was no evidence to show, as the charge alleged, that; any premises were advertised for "1110 running of a lottery.

DEATH OF AfKDLEY. CHRISTCHURCH. Oct. HI

The death occurred to-day of the brood mare. Aledlev. dam of Limerick Balyniena, Alalnga and Rosecrea. A week ago Aledley produced a colt foe to Limoiid, a full brother of Limerick.

COAIAIE RC E CON E EI! EN' C’E. Cl IRISSTCHURjC'H, Oct. HI

'The Chamber of Commerce Conference to-day resolutioned: “That the Conference deplores the huge increase in unfair state and bureaucratic interference in private enterprise and resolves to use its inllucnce to obtain a repeal of such legislation as curtails and interferes with legitimate Iradiij}:.” Strong criticism, of business activities of the Government was voiced by speakers. 'The Public Trust Office came in for particular attention.

.MURCHISON FIRE. .MURCHISON, Oct. HI

In regard to the lire at the Commercial Hotel, Alurehison, 11 has been ascertained that tlie insurances on the building are two thousand five hundred pounds in the Standard Offieu and one thousand pounds in the Norwich Office: on furniture and stock, fourteen hundred and fifty pounds in the Queensland Office.

Those injured in the lire are making good recovery.

“A AIASTER CROOK.” GISBORNE. Oct. 31

Described by the police as a “master and general crook,” Tepuna Apiraina, who, it was stated, is excluded from all racecourses in New Zealand, was charged at the .Magistrate's Court with trespassing on the Park racecourse on July 28111. when a race meeting was in progress. Defendant, who did not appear was fined £l2 and costs ill default two months’ imprisonment. LOAN SUBSCRIBED. AVANG ANUI, Nov. 1. The Harbour Board local Ipau of £IO.OO ) has been oversubscribed. A. AND P. SHOW. PALMERSTON X., Nov. 1. 'There is boisterous weather for opening day of the Alanawatu Show, heavy rain falling overnight and continuing with showers throughout the morning, 'there is an excellent display with increased entries. Judging of stock commences to-mo rro w.

THREE YEARS’ PROBATION. DUNEDIN, Nov. 1

At the Polite Court William Ramsay charged with receiving goods knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained, was admitted to three years’ probation.

A RBITR ATT ON COURT. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1

“ It is very satisfactory, gentlemen,” said Judge Frazer in the Arbitration Court, when the list of disputes had been disposed of in record time. "There are seven applications for awards and all seven have resulted in complete recommendations. It just leaves one to wonder whether if there had been no Arbitration Court behind, if so many agreements would have been arrived at.” FOUND DEAD. GISBORNE, Nov. 1. Mrs Alary Cameron, 57, was tound dead this morning at the residence ol a friend in Disraeli Street, whom she had visited last evening. Mrs Cameron left by the hack door with the intention of going round the side of the house to the trout gate, hut apparently collapsed before she was able to reach the road, and the body was not found till five this morning.

GISBORNE PETITION. GISBORNE, Nov. 1

A petition to Parliament for a Royal Commission to investigate the policy and methods of the constitution as adopted by the Gisborne Harbour Board, is to he considered by a Select Committee of the House on Eridav. The Board will he represented by its Chairman, Engineer and Secretary, with instructions to oppose the appointment of a commission on the grounds of unnecessary expense.

CASE DISMISSED

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1

••This Court can’t act on a surmise. There is no evidence before the Court to justify a conviction, llie case will he dismissed,” said Magistrate -Mosley . to-day. referring to the charge against the publisher of the “ Weekly Press,’ commenting on a scheme whereby prizes were disposed of by mode of elm nee. The evidence showed the paper published a photo of a crowd with r ring round one head, and announced that person calling at the office he was entitled to receive a prize of a pound. AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION PROTEST. AUCKLAND. Nov. 1.

At a hurriedly-called meeting of the Council of Auckland Automobile Association. the following resolution was passed:—On behalf of 0.000 members we strongly protest against the imposition of fourpence petrol tax in addition to tyre tax and registration fees. \Y< consider no exemption should be allowed. DUNEDIN, Nov. 1. Ansell, President of the Otago Motor Club and South Ireland Motor Union, stated the petrol tax was rather more than anticipated, hut must lie regarded as a satisfactory endeavour to overcome reading problems of the Dominion. Motorists had to recognise theft- lia-

bilitv to assist local bodies to maintain the highways. He heartily endorsed the proposal to allocate a substantial portion of the tax for the improvement of roads in the vicinity of cities. No objection was taken to the exemptions so long as the Government were able to make satisfactory arrangements to enforce the regulations, but he objected to anything which would increase the cost of administration, and make the levying of the tax with exemptions economically unsound. He also supported the retention of the tyre tax, hut urged tho abolition of a flat rate.

The Afaiiagcr of a large garage said lie saw nothing for it hut to pass the cost on to consumers. Retailers could not hear the extra cost. The amount of the new tyre tax was greater than expected, increasing as it would the cost of running a ear hv over ‘2O per cent.

OILFIELDS REPORT. GISBORNE, Nov. 1

'Taranaki Oilfields report:—Wainpu No. 2 well is down to a deptli of 2,4 fiO feet in grey shale; 8;’, inch diameter easing to 2-140 feet. Gisborne No. 1 well down to a deptli of 1003 feet in sandy grey shale; 10 inch diameter easing to 070 foot.

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. AUCKLAND. Nov. 1

About ten this morning, during a heavy dowiijiour of rain, lightning struck the top of Hutchison’s Grocery Store in Kliyher Pass road. The report was like the explosion of a big shell. Half a. ton of brickwork was ripped from the building and scattered on the right of way. Nobody was injured.

THEFT CHARGE. AUCKLAND. Nov. 1

Frank Leonard O’Donnell, 31, charged with breaking and entering and the 11 from the premises of John Burns and Co., and Samuel Howard, CO, and John Kyle, 3!), were charged with removing a tin valued at £3O 15s Od. All "ere remanded, hail of £IOO each being required of Howard and Kyle.

SUPREME COURT. DUNEDIN. Nov. 1

The criminal sittings opened with three eases. One of carnal knowledge of a girl under IC, another of indecent assault on two little girls and a third charge against a postal officer of theft of postal packets. True hills were found in all eases.

Leslie Daniel Scallay, 17, for carnal knowledge was sentenced to thre-o years’ Borstal.

CHARGE DISMISSED,

INVERCARGILL. Nov. 1. Magistrate Cruickshnnk dismissed a ease against Robert Constable on a charge of failing to account for £l2O, the property of Bluff Harbour Board, holding there was no criminal neglige nee.