DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. AIR AAIEKY’S DEPARTURE. FAREWELL MESSAGES BY RADIO. WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. The Prime Alblister (Mr Coates) has received the following radio message from Air Amery (Secretary of State for the Dominions), who.is a passenger by the Aornngi, now on her voyage from Auckland to Fiji:— WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. “ 1 cannot leave New Zealand without expressing to you and to your colleagues our warmest thanks for ah your generous and kind hospitality to myself and Airs Amery, and to my staff. Our stay in the Dominion has been a time of great enjoyment and happiness, and know also that it wilt lie of the greatest value to me in my future work. Our best wishes to you and to the Dominion for the coming year.—Amerv.”

The Prime Minister replied to Air Ameiv’s message to-day as follows:

“A 1 y colleagues and I warmly appreciate your telegram. We are delighted to know that Airs Amery and yourself and the members of your staff have spoilt a happy and enjoyable time during your visit to tlio ‘ Britain of the South.’ We feel confident that your Empire tour will lie productive of real value in promoting the spirit of unity and co-operation among its people. New Zealand cordially reciprocates vout good wishes, and earnestly trusts that the new year will bring peace and prosperity. not only to the Homeland, but to our Commonwealth as a whole. May I assure you bow greatly T have appreciated tbe privilege of our further personal conferences which your visit lias afforded. Kai Ora.—J. G. Coates ”

TOY CAVE ABLAZE. WELLINGTON, Dee. 22. A fire broke out in Afr Norman Aitlien’s book arcade. 5 Courtenay Place, at about a, quarter past four this afternoon. and tbe occupants of “tbe magic cave" bad a narrow escape from dentil. The fire, it is believed, was probably caused by a wire in the toy cave fusing. The cave was manufactured of highly inflammable material, and hurst into flames at once. The two fairies, young girls of 13 and 14, escaped from the cave only just in time, while the clothes of Father Christmas caught fire, and lie managed to free himself from the heavy gown, barely in time to evade serious injury, One employee of the firm, AH’s AT. AfcCarroll. was burnt on the left upper arm. face and neck, and was taken by the ambulance to her homo in AYillis Street. The other girls reached the street without injury.

The Fire Brigade was promptly at the spot, and suppressed the fire in half an hour. Tarpaulins were spread over the counters in the toy department. and saved much of the stock from serious damage. The outbreak was localised on the first door, where the building and stock were damaged by fire, smoke and water. The stock in the hoot department, on the ground floor, escapdo injury, but most of the goods upstairs suffered. The stock was insured for C 5250 in the Standard insurance Coy, and for £250 in the Victoria Insurance Coy's office, lhe (I T—lings were insured for £SOO in the Standard Office.

SUNDAY ICE-CREAM. WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. Henry G. Carter, a Petoiie workshops employee, was lined tl at Petone yesterday, for delivering some ice-cream on a Sunday, the charge being carrying on his occupation in view ot a place.

The defence was made that Carter was only doing a friend a turn for a manufacturer, named \\ addington. against whom a similar charge was laid, and was not a paid servant. He admitted, however, that on occasions, he sold ice-cream on a commission basis.

Mr Salmon, S.M., said defendant must be considered a person with more than one occupation. 'Hie charge against Wiiddington was dismissed, there being no evidence ol his having given authority for tin* delivery ol tin* ice-cream. WHEAT-GROWERS’ PRICES. WAIM ATE, Dec. 22. Air .1, G. Ruddenklau. of (Heavy, has just, returned from Christchurch, where he met some of tile lending Hour millers to whom he submitted a scheme for tin stabilisation of prices of wheat. As Mr Pmhlenklau is the largest single •jjrovor of wlient in Xew Zealand, his representations always carry weight, and millers have promised to go fully into the scheme, because, if practicable, it will have the effect of bringing millers and wheat growers together.

BODY FOUND IN HARBOUR. AUCKLAND, Dec. 22. The body of a woman, whose identity has not been established, was found floating in the harbour near \ ictoria Wharf. Devonpnrt, this afternoon. It is thought that the body is that of a young woman who disappeared from a ferry steamer on Thursday night last. 'Hie woman’s hat. coat and umbrella were found on hoard. A!ASKED .MAN WITH REVOLVER. CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 22. Stephen .lames MoiTigan, aged 19. was charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day with unlawfully presenting a revolver at .lane Marshall; with being in possession of an unregistered revolver. and with carrying a revolver beyond his dwelling without a license. The affair occurred at I.eo>lon on December 12th. MoiTigan called at

Marshall's house and when Airs .Marshall answered the knock at the door, she was surprised to see a man with his face masked by a handkerchief presenting a revolver at her. The police were summoned. For accused, it was stated that Morrigan went to Marshall's, by whom be bad previously been employed, to try to got £lO. which be alleged they still owed him. The report of the probation officer was that firms bad been chasing Af.orrigan with reference to motor cycles which it appeared often led young men into trouble.Alorrigan was convicted and admitted to probation for two years, a special condition being that he should not acquire or ride a motor cycle during that period. On the. minor charges lie was fined 20.5. and the revolver was confiscated.

AN INTERNATIONAL CROOK. CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 22

A pickpocket with an international record was caught red-handed at the New Brighton Trotting Meeting last weelc, and ho made his appearance at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Ilis name is .lames O’Brien. GG years of age. IVo charges were preferred against him; That he attended the races while prohibited, and that he I stole two ten shilling notes from .fames Samuel Horne. O'Brien was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, for theft ; [ and on trespass charge, was fined £lO. in default of six weeks. HOLIDAY TRAFFIC. AY ELLINGTON. Dec. 22. There is nothing this Ninas Tike the exhibition in Dunedin to swell tbe holiday traffic to above normal, and present indications point to the holiday rush corresponding with the average. The passenger hookings on Forty Steamers each night, are fully up to the average and those who have not previously hooked berths, now wish that they had shown a little more foresight. To-morrow and on Saturday, both ferry steamers will be making two trips a day between Wellington and Lyttelton. Passengers to Nelson and to Pic-ton are daily travelling in increasing numbers, accommodation on board the vessels being fully taxed. No definite railway figures are as yet available, but it would seem as if the number of people travelling by train is about what is normal at this time of the year. Motor cars too are of course taking their full quota ot families away from tbe city.

The Afa ram a is leaving AY cllington for Sydney to-morrow and tlio Manuka is leaving Bind' to-day for Alelbourne. they arc both practically full slops.