DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

PARKER. LAMB TIMBER CO

AUCKLAND, May 25. A net profit of £3721. or £213 less than that of 1926-27, is disclosed in the report to he submitted at the twenty-fourth annual meeting of the Parker Lamb Timber Company. Tlie directors state that there has been no improvement in local and overseas markets, although the demand for all grades of kauri was fairly good; rimu and white pine proved difficult to sell except at imreiuunerntive prices. In the aggregate the company’s sales for the past year were somewhat better than those during 1926-27. In order to keep the financial position on a sound basis, timber stocks bad again been taken at conservative values.

The report states: “The removal by the Government of all restrictions m connexion with the export of New Zealand timbers should have the effect of improving our timber market- in the near future." A dividend of 6 per cent is recommended.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE. WELLINGTON. May 28. The medical bulletin on Sir C. PSkorrett this morning says he shows a distinct improvement.

AUCKLAND WE ATM Eli. AUCKLAND, May 28

A heavy gale on Sunday was succeeded by a torrential downpour. The rainfall for forty-eight hours to midnight. was 2.47, making 7.79 inches for May to date. The weather to-day is fine.

CHRISTCHURCH JUBILEE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 28.

The Jubilee Celebrations of the City were continued to-day. Tn spite of the dull weather various functions were largely attended. This morning the foundation stone was laid of the New Art Gallery in the Botanic Gardens. At noon the members of the Cabinet and other prominent visitors attended the official luncheon.

hospital subsidy. PALMERSTON N., May 28.

The Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young) is visiting Palmerston North for tlio purpose of opening a maternity home at the hospital. A deputation from the Hospital Board ask the Minister for a refund of subsidy, which the Board this year has been called on to make to the Department, totalling £1609. It was stated in the first year of operation tho refund reduced the rate of the Board’s subsidy to 13s, being Is under the lowest subsidy receivable under the schedule.

In reply Mr Young said lie had endeavoured to more heavily subsidise the poorer districts, which received a higher rate of subsidy than the wealthier districts. If it were found the subsidy principle could not he worked satisfactorily, lie was prepared to ask the Government for legislation so that no Board should receive less than 14s.

ANOTHER PICTON FIRE. BLENHEIM, May 28. Another mysterious fire, in the early hours of Sunday morning completely destroyed Jensen’s buildings atPieton, containing between sixty and seventy rooms, in addition to shops, etc. on the ground floor. The building was elected twenty years ago and was intended for hotel purposes, hut a license was never granted. The structure was more or less a white elephant ever since, The only portion occupied was

two rooms on the ground floor where ('. E. Moffatt’s dental parlours were situated. The (ire originated in a deserted upper storey and spread with extraordinary rapidity, the concrete downstairs apartments serving as funnels for the admission of draught to the upper wooden portions. The fire spread to C. E. Townsheiid’s tenroomed residence adjoining, hut a great light hv the brigade saved it. with' more or less minor damage.

Jensen’s buildings were completely destroyed.

Following the destruction of tho school last week, the fire is one of a series of mysterious outbreaks in Picton and has caused some uneasiness amongst tho townxlolk. Ihe only insurance oil the building was i! 1,000 in the Royal and Moffntt 9760 in the same office. Townshend’s house was insured for 91,250 and contents .9450 in tho Sun Office.

government gift. CHRISTCHURCH, M.ay 28.

A gift by the Government of the Provincial Council Chamber to the Provinces of Canterbury and Westland was announced by Sir Francis Hell at the Jubilee luncheon. It will he controlled by a trust.

REPORT FROM SAMOA. WELLINGTON, May 28

Thi' Minister of External Affairs has been advised by the Administrator of Western Samoa that an arrest yosteritav morning hv the civil and the military police of the Man chief named Lcotn, wanted on a charge of threatening to kill, was resisted and resulted in a small conflict between the police and .Man natives. Tho arrest was effected without injury to the police. A number of minor casualties occurred among the Samoans, hut it is believed that none were serious. As a sequel to the incident, Tomases and other Man chiefs saw tho Administrator and accompanied him on an inspection of the injured natives.

SUPREME COURT

AUCKLAND, May 28.

At the Supreme Court, a young mau John Fraser, for stealing at Whakatane. received nine months’ imprisonment. Christopher James White, breaking, entering and’ theft at Hamilton and Claudelamls railway stations two years’ reformative detention. Wilfred Lowe, 23, for forgery and false pretences, received two years’