DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1928, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) GISBORNE WOOL. ? GISBORNE, Jan. 7. Wool production in Gisborne districtthis year is estimated at close on fifty thousand bales. Over 20,000 bales of Gisborne wool arc sent each season to Napier sales. Motoring transport cost ten thousand pounds which would bo saved if the sales were held here. Further strong representations nro about to 'Jbo, made to tile New Zealand Wool Buyers Association. WEDDING POSTPONED. FAILURE TO OBTAIN LICENSE. napier, Jan. c.

A sensational incident provided a dramatic anti-climax to a recent, fashionable evening wedding in Napier. It was found at the last minute that the prospective bridgegroom bad neglected to obtain the necessary license to permit of the tying of tire knot for “better or for worse.”

Napier’s elite bad crowded St John’s Cathedra], the beautiful ivy-covered mother church of the Anglican faith in Napier, to celebrate the great event, in which the contracting parties were extremely well known among the town’s younger set. The bridegroom and his supporting best man and groomsman were actually in the church, and the bride was just leaving her home, when the discovery was made of the fatal omission.

Consternation reigned among Lhe interested parties, and frantic efforts were made to surmount the difficulty. The Justices wer.e approached to conduct the ceremony blit were, of course, unable to do so, and unavoidable difficulties prevented the registrar officiating. Tt is said that: the captain of a boat lying in the harbour was at>proaohed to take his vessel outside the three-mile limit and unite the pair, and that lie declined. After every channel had been explored and no- opening found, the disappointed crowd ’dispersed, while an almost frantic bride was persuaded that there was nothing for it but to postpone her glad day till the license could ho procured. As- the registrar was on holiday, this threatened to provide another serious complication, hut fortunately he was located, and amidst rejoicing the young pair were wed the next morning, when Dean Maync, Church of England divine, gave them his blessing as they sped amidst confetti showers and good-will wishes oil their belated honeymoon. RADTO LICENSES. WELLINGTON, Jan. <5. The prediction that radio licenses would reach 40.909 by the end of flic year has been verified. Tile figures for the weekly period ending January 6th total 40,025. TUB BANKRUPTCY ACT. WELLINGTON. Jan. fi. Til reply to a question to-day, the Hon F. .T. Rolleston, Attorney-Gener-al, explained that Section 7 of the Bankruptcy Act of last session does not npnly to meetings of creditors, but only to special examinations of bankrupts by the Assignee for the special purpose of gaining information from bankrupt or anv other party in regard to bankrupt's affairs. It- is specially designed to prevent the publication of business transactions of other people, who have dealings with the bankrupt. The reporting of proceedings of meetings of creditors remains as before, and it is competent for all such proceedings, including the statement of bankrupt, to he published. BOY DROWNED. HAMILTON. J mi. 6. Alfred Henry Molesworth. aged 7. was bird-nesting with other small boys on the bank of the Waikato River, about two miles below Nganinwaliia when hr fell into the river and was drowned. The body has not yet been recovered.

DUNEDIN’S SAVINGS BANK. DUNEDIN. Jan. 0. Dunedin’s stability is mirrored in the returns of business carried out bv the Dunedin Savings Bank (not the Pest Office). For the nine months from April 1 to Deoemli'er 31 of Inst rear, deposits oxrreded withdrawals by £96.967. As the past year was oonrv’er" 1 D r. had one commercially and financially, the Savings Bank returns clearly show that the Dunedin rconle are thrifty. Bus/moss houses complained of an easing-off in spending during the winter, "and, although unemployment was serious for a

lengthy period, the bank returns show that in the middle «f Dm winter the average deposits wore maintained, while withdrawals were not above normal. The figures for the imne months’ period just ended are:—Deposits, £665,18S. withdrawals, £508.281.

The excess of deposits over withdrawals was on a nar with the returns for the previous year, but the bolume of business increased greatly. The Dunedin public faith in their own bank, the profits from which are distributed among charitable organisations and worthy public objects. The withdrawals during December were particularly heavy, but the adverse balance is always expected, as money is taken out for the usual Christmas holidays expenses, and for the payment of city rates. Over £2OOO was also distributed among the various thrift clubs.

So far as the bank’s receipts from interest on money borrowed are concerned, arrears have been reduced to an absolute minimum. For the nine months’ period the borrowers had been able to meet their liabilities, and. if the reported winter depression Dad been so serious, there might have been a different story to toll.

hospital fees. FRIENDLY SOCIETY MEMBERS. WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. Arrangements have been made for holding a conference in Wellington on January 28th, of representatives of Friendly Societies, Hospital Boards, and the Department of Health, to consider the question of the treatment of Friendly Society patients in general hospitals, and if possible to formulate the terms of an agreement for adoption throughout the Dominion. At present the agreements in operation in the several districts vary considerably in their terms. A few Boards have arrangements with Friendly Societies for the receipt of an annual per capita sum per member ranging from 12s 6d to £l, entitling the. member (or his wife or children) to free treatment in hospital up to a certain maximum. In the majority of cases, however, the Friendly Societies undertake payment of a proportion of the ordinary charge, in some cases half the fee throughout, in others half fees for adults with no reduction for children, in others upwards of 75 per cent, cf the usual charges.. In two cases a fixed annual rate per occupied bed is charged whether for an adult or child patient.

RAILWAY EXTENSION. BAY* OF PLENTY LINE. AUCKLAND, Jan. G. Within two months it is expected that trains will lie running on the new section of railway line from YVaihi to Taneatua through the Bay of Plenty. This will add another 85 miles of permanent way to the Auckland railway district, and passengers will Ixi able to travel direct from Auckland to Taneatua by train. Another section of line which, it is expected, will he completed and opened toward the end of March will be that from Waiotira to Kirikopuni, the first part of the line connecting Auckland with Dargaville direct.

Work has progressed favourably on the various sections of the line through the Bay of Plenty and the engineers, Sir IV. G .Armstrong. Whitworth, and Co., Ltd., are now ready to hand over to the Public Works Department that section of the line from Tulin wai to r I e Puni. This is the last stretch of line from Wailii to Taneal.au, including the piece recently taken over between Wailii and Taliawni. The section of the line between Taneatua and lauranga is at present being run by the Public "Works Department.

With the completion of the line through tho Bay of Plenty and its being taken over by the Railway Department comes the question of a. nearer route from the Bay to Auckland. The necessary link will run from Pncroa to Pokeno on the main line south

of Pukekolio, across the Piako swamp. This will reduce the rail distance from the Bay of Plenty to Auckland by between 40 and 50 miles and will save the long journey down to Frnnkton Junction and hack. DOMINION'S FINANCE, VALUE OF EXPORTS SOAPS. AUCKLAND. Jan. 6. “There never was a day.” said the Prime Minister at Runwai, “when the revenue and expenditure of the country were more carefully watched and expended than at present.” Mr Contes said lie was sure that posterity would not feel the weight- of the present development-. The total number of registered unemployed had never exceeded 4000, although the total was probably up to 7000. It was quite wrong of them to expect to “hang round the neck of the State” to obtain relief. The country’s credit was at high-water mark. We were borrowing money more cheaply than other countries could, though that was no excuse for excessive borrowing. With increased production and increased population a certain amount of borrowing was necessary to complete tho Government’s policy of railways, roads, and electric power schemes. Tho Prime Minister said lie was (piite sure that the livdro-cleclric power schemes would he one of the host investments the Government over had. Tie looked forward to 1940 to the Gov-

ernment having from £6,000,000 to £8.000.000 in cash, which could he used either to reduce the cost of power or to go into the Consolidated Fund. For the eight months to the end of November the increased revenue over all services was £50,000, and the figures for the preceding corresponding period had been a record. Customs revenue showed a slight drop hut there were reasons lor that. The production of wool was a record. There wore over 26.(410.000 sheep in the Dominion. tho greatest* number since 1918. Butter and cheese prices wore good, and the wheat crop would ho a record one. Fruit and honey were also good. The value of the primary products exported would he t‘5.000.000 more than last year.