DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Ppr Press Association.)

RATING VALUATION POLL. WANGANUI, June 28. The ratepayers' to-day decided to revert to the system of rating on annual value by 2,413 votes to 1,924.

MOTOR VICTIM DIES. . NEW PLYMOUTH, June 28. John Lord, aged 50 years, a commercial traveller, of Christchurch, who was injured in a motor smash at Jfailgore i on June 20th. died in New Plymouth hospital last- night. His injuries were caused by a service bus plunging over a bank of 25 feet. An inquest was opened to-day and wan adjourned.

RAILWAY CROSSING TRAGEDY " HAMILTON, June 28.

The dead body of John Wm. Taylor, aged 71, residing at Claudelnnd.s, was found on the railway lino this afternoon shortly after the passing of a train. It is presumed he was run down while crossing the line.

SALE OF STEAMERS. WELLINGTON, June 28. It is understood that the Union Coy’s steamers Karcri, Wliangnpc, and Waipori have been sold for service in foreign waters.

FOUND IN, THIEF’S WOODEN LEG NEW PLYMOUTH, June 28.

Tlio sum of £5 Inst from the till of the Oceanic Restaurant, was found in Harold Rufus Bradley’s wooden leg when the police took him r in an intoxicated state from his car at the door of the building yesterday. TTo was found guilty on charges of theft and being in charge of a car while intoxicated, and to-day lie was admitted to probation for two years on the first charge, and was ordered to conic up for sentence in 12 months on the other.

UNEMPLOYED BELIEF PAY, GOVERNMENT’S DECISION. WELLINGTON, Juno ?8. The Prime Minister has sent the following letter to Mr P. Fraser, M.P., in reply to the deputation which re- cut :; raised the , question of work for mi employed and the rates of wages:— “ Referring to the representations which were made to my colleague, the Acting-Minister of Labour, regarding the question of increasing the pay for the men employed on relief works. 1 have to inform you that this matter since has been considered in Cabinet, and that it is regretted that no increase in the present rate, viz., 9s petday for single men, and 12s for married men, can be agreed to.” “ You will, I know, fully appreciate tlio fact that the Government is carrying a large proportion of unemployed at the present time, and, for your information, T would point out that, in addition to approximately 7,000 .men who are receiving standard rates of pay, or who are engaged in eo-oporn-tivc contracts based upon standard rates, over 3,400 men have been offered relief work. Tt should ho recognised that 9s and 12s are the minimum rates for those employed on the relief works, and that whenever possible, co-opera-tive contracts are let which enable men to receive more than the specified rates of pay. It has also been made possible for local bodies to engage the services of approximately 2000, men as the result of a State subsidy to local bodies for certain approved works.”

“ Relief works are not of an urgent nature,'nor are they oT immediate necessity, hut have" been opened up in order to give men ssbo cannot find employment elsesvhere a measure of relief until such time as conditions improve and svill permit of them taking up work in other avenues.—Yours faithfully, J. G. Coates.”

HOSPITAL FINANCE. WELLINGTON, June 29. The Hospital Board has found . it necessary to reduce tlic amount of relief afforded gratuitously, particularly for single men* and rent. The latter will be reduced to two-thirds* The Chairman said the Board would soon 'bo experiencing a serious shortage of finance unless the expenditure for the remainder of the year wits curtailed. Increases in staff and salaries were given as one cause and one member suggested hospital charges must be revised.

RACING APPEAL. AUCKLAND, June 29

Appeals by TV. A. Bennie, xY. J. Gilmer, J. IT. Mcßae, and C. N. Cnrniont against the decision of the Rotorua Racing Club imposing disqualification upon them were heard yesterday by the Auckland District Committee, which deferred its decision until after another meeting this afternoon.

NEW SAMOAN TAX. WELLINGTON, June 27

Regulations are gazetted to-night imposing a Port and Customs Service tax under the Samoa Act, 1921, and they immediately come into force. Under these regulations a Port and Customs Service tax of 2J per cent, on the value of goods landed is imposed, in addition to any duties of customs payable under any law now in force, or that hereafter may be in force in the territory, whether the goods are dutiable or free of duty. Power of exemption from this tax is in the hands of the Administrator.

WHIPPET RACING. PALMERSTON N., June 27. This afternoon the Mnnnwatu Whippet Racing Club hold its initial meeting at Paliherston North. The weather was fine, hut the track, which was at the sports ground, was rather heavy owing to rain, overnight. Four events were provided on the programme, and there was keen competition in all, good entries and close" finishes making the meeting very interesting to the largo number of spectators. The fact that sixteen Christchurch dogs were competing added interest to the meeting. The results were Graham Handicap—-J. R. I).' Johns’s Dinah 1, A. H. Forbes’s Jenny 2. Manawatu Stakes.—J. R.. D. Johns’s Trixie 1, F .fhwaites Hot Stuff 2. Linklater Handicap—Mrs Johansen’s Nanette 1, j. R. D. Johrfs’s Miss Ruby Nathan Handicap)—j. R-. D. .Tokns s Tripaway 1, J. R- D. Johns’s Gold Dust 2.