DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—P.©r Press Association.) A REMARKABLE INCIDENT. INTRUDER LOCKED IN STRONG ROOM. HAMILTON, March 13. An unusual incident occurred in a block of buildings known as Mandono Jackson’s, in Victoria Street, Hamilton. yesterday morning. An intruder was found locked in the strong-room, hut, taking advantage of the surprise, caused hv his sudden appearance, was ruble to make good his escape. Tlie ground floor of the block is occupied by Maiuleno Jackson, land agent, an insurance company, and a branch of tin- Commercial Bank of Australia. Upstairs there are several suites of offices. When Mr D. TT. Nieol, a bank officer. returned to the bank af nine o’clock on Sunday evening, he noticed that the strong-room door was open. He closed the door and bolted it. afterwards retiring to bod. When lie rose shortly before seven o’clock yesterday morning lie found the passage door and back window open. He opened the door of tlie strong room, which he had bolted the previous evening, and an unkempt-looking mail, about 30 years of age, ran out of the (back door and disappeared in the direction of the river-bank. Nothing was missing. The police are investigating. A BANKRUPT’S BOOKS. WELLINGTON, March 13. A further meeting of creditors of Harry Gilbert Moncrielf. carrier, of Lower [futt, was railed for this morning, but the only creditor present was Mr L. C. Utting. the petitioning judgment creditor, for whom Mr A. B. Siovwright appeared. Judgment was obtained against bankrupt in August, 1918, by Air Utting for damages granted him ill a divorce suit. The first meeting, held on Afarcli tub, was adjourned for the bankrupt to produce bis books. M.r Sievwrigbt said that the books produced were absolutely valueless in regard to disclosing the position of the bankrupt. It seemed to him that the bankrupt should he called upon to prepare a lull and proper statement of his earnings and expenditure during the past three years. Air Sievwright suggested that Monerieff should he prosecuted for failing to keep proper books and that action lie taken against Mrs Monerieff to account with regard to a motor-lorry, the equity in which, lie claimed, was at least L'lßs, and belonged to tlie creditors. Alter .Mr S. .Toll bad replied on bankrupt’s beliuli. the Official Assignee said: " I will ask Mrs Monerieff to account in regard to the lorry and put the books before a qualified accountant, and will then refer the case to the Crown Prosecutor.” The meeting was adjourned sine die. A NAPIER SCHEME. NAPIER. March 13. The Napier Harbour Board to-day adopted the recommendation of the committee that the Board proceed with the de-watering of the Awatoto block of 500 acres for rural seUle-ment. with a reservation of 50 acres for future town extension ; that the Board and the Napier Borough Council should confer with regard to tlie reclamation of 191 acres just over the river from George’s Drive for town extension; that the Board take the preliminary steps for the reclamation of the ATcDonald block of 540 acres for rural purposes, and that all work where practicable lie done by tender. Tlie committee also recommended that the offers of syndicates to do the work be not considered in view of the recommendations to do the work bv tender. SIR ARCHIE INJURED AUCKLAND. March 13. The injuries received by the racehorse, Sir Archie, in the railway accident on Saturday evening are more serious than at first believed. In addition to sustaining severe abrasions he bad two ribs broken. PARLIAMENT. TO ASSEMBLE ON JUNE 7. WELLINGTON, March 13. A Supplementary Gazette, issued tonight, announces that Parliament will meet again oil Thursday, June i. LAND BALLOT. TIMARU, March 13. A Government run of 5650 acres part of the Centrewood Estate, ton miles from AVaimate, was balloted for here to-dav. Originally there were 158 applicants from various parts of Otago and Canterbury, but the single men were placed in the second preference list. Fifty-five went to the ballot in tlie first preference list, tlie successful applicant being J. S- Alatlieson, of AVaimate. IT.M.R. DUNEDIN RETURNING. AVELLINGTON, March 13. HALS. Dunedin is expected back at AA'ellington some time this week from Samoa. The Navy Office stated this afternoon that her actual date of arrival bore is rather uncertain, but it will probably be before the end of the week. The news that the Dunedin is returning suggests the probability that the vessels has on board Hie Commodore and Air C. A. Berendsen, External Affairs Officer attached to tlie Prime Minister’s Department. If this supposition is correct, the object of these officials is, no doubt, to leport to the Government on the developments that have taken place. It. is understood that the marines of the Dunedin have remained at Samoa. POLITICAL. DUNEDIN, March 14. Air G. W. Forbes, Leader of the National Party, addressed a meeting of about -100 persons here to-night on behalf of tlie United Political Party. Air Forbes criticised the recent address of the Alinister of Finance. He dealt also with several political questions. enlarging on the programme of the’ National Party. Air Forbes criticised the Government’s land policy, saying that very little settlement was taking place. In dealing with railway matters, Air Forbes urged that the Government should consider tlie possibilities of motor transport by road. Tlie speaker was warmly thanked for ..a address. Though Air Forbes was advertised under the heading of the United Politcal Party, lie made no reference to the new Party. AruXICIPAL CONFERENCE. NELSON, March 14. At the Municipal Conference, conflicting opinions were expressed (luring thg discussion of a remit from lister-

ton that local bodies be given direct ropresntation on hospital boards. The mover held that the body that collected rates should have some say on that body that spoilt it. The Mayor of Christchurch (Rev. J. K. Archer) said that the ratepayers were to he considered first, and not the body that merely levied the rate. Tin ratepayers had the matter in their own Ini nds,’ because they could elect whom they liked to hospital boards. Tlie Mayor of Wellington (Mr G. A. Troup) supported the remit. There had been very large increases in hospital rates recently, and boroughs and cities should have some say. Mr 1). G. Sullivan (Christchurch) supported the Mayor of Christchurch, and several other delegates spoke both for and against the motion. The motion was put and carried by a show of hands. The Mayor of Christchurch rose to a point of order, and pointed out that many local bodies had more representatives present than the number ol votes i„ne or two) to which they were eutitled. The President should point out dial only the correct number of votes should lie taken by each municipality. The mover explained that an attemn' was being made to decrease the contribution from the countries, and to increase contribution from Hie boroughs. An amendment was moved by the Greymouth delegate (Air F. 11. Denton) that all i barges for upkeep of hospitals in excess of revenue I herefrom, should be paid out of the- Consolidated Fund, so that all sections of the communities and not only the owners of land would contribute.” The remit was amended accordingly and carried.