DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1928, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Pgr Press Association.). A PEARL NECKLACE. AUCKLAND, July 26. On June 4th last a lady residing at .Rernuera lost a string of 155'pearls in the form of a necklace with a diamond clasp at Ellerslie racecourse. A man who found the necklace Michael Mailer appeared at the Police Court this morning charged with having stolen pearls valued at £9 9s 0. R. J. Perrons jeweller gave evidence that early in June, Maher sold witness the pearls. He asked if they were valuable. AYitness replied they were worth between £2OO and £3OO. He now admitted they were worth £990. Accused asked if they were worth’ a reward. Mailer suggested ten pounds.

Detective Hunt stated that on June 25 he interviewed Maher who admitted thnt he found the pearls at the raeecourso gates. Ho put them in his pocket and said ho forgot about the pearls until two days afterwards when he saw an advertisement. He telephoned to the owner’s house and was told that unless the pearls had a diamond clasp it would bo no use bringing them to her house. Accused added lie was waiting a few day T s in anticipation of the reward being increased. Maher occupied a prominent position in a city business and had a good character and reputation. Mr McKean S.M. said in reply to accused’s counsel that it was for a jury, not himself to say whether there was a case to answer. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Maher who appeared voluntarily was allowed bail in one surcity of £2O: . *

MESSAGE OF GOODWILL. AVIELLINGTON, July 25

The following statement by A r ieeAdmiral S. Kobalyashi, Commander of the Japanese Training Squadron, was given to-day: “On my squadron’s arrival at Wellington, til© first port of of call in the Dominion of New Zealand. I would convey to the people of this Dominion the goodwill of the Japanese people and navy. - On every occasion of cur squadrons’ visits here you have given them a■ welcome overflowing with warmth. This is fresh in .cur memories, and I would also express the gratitude of the navy. This cruise of our squadron is simply a cruise of a customary nature, purposing to give the midshipmen, the instruction and training essential to the making of naval officers. A; the same time however it is our most cherished wish to contribute to 'lie international friendship by coming- into direct contact with the influential people at every port at which we call. A very important commercial agreement has just been signed between our two countries. The arrival of my squadron, having a duty to protect trade routes at this great centre of trade, on this happy opportunity, I cannot but declare a very auspicious coincidence. I heartily wish that our present visit may help a good understanding and foster more friendly relations between our two countries.” A RECORD SEASON. NORTHERN AVAIROA DAIRY CO. DARGAVILLE, July 25. The twenty-sixth annual balaiuccr.’ioet of the Northern AVairoa Dairy Company for the year ended on May 31st. shows that a splendid year has been experienced. ‘

The total paid to suppliers, who number 680. amounts to no Ic*vj than £268,150, the average payment for butter-fat being 17.693 d a lb. The bonus for the year amounts to £lO,520.

The total, a mount of butter n'.nde was 198.467 tori?. Tbe total a.'iicunt paid out since the inception of the company is £2,750.000, and the butter produced totals 20.000 tons.

Last- notv-ion was a record in every way, the amount paid out being £12,999 better than the previous best in 1920-1921, when the payment for buttec-fat was '29.00d per lb. This season lias already started well, and shows a considerable increase in tonnage and pay-out.

SHEER TRUCKS. . AI ORE FOR sDUTH ISLAND. i ’ AA'ELLINGTON, July 25. * Replying to a question by Mr J. R. Hamilton in the Botise of Representatives, Air Coates, in his capacity of Minister for Railways stated to-day that the matter of fitting temporary {[ratings for floors of LA waggons for . the conveyance of sheep has received full consideration, hut there are many difficulties in the way which render the idea impracticable. Aforoover, the period of heavy demand for ordinary goods waggons coincides with that for sheep trucks. The Department makes use of goods waggons as far as pos- • sible for short-distance sheep traffic when there is heavy loading, and considerable relief has been given by this means. The construction of additional sheep trucks for the South Island has been approved, and the work is ' in hand, to enable these trucks to be available for next season’s peak traffic. POWER BOARDS CONFER. AVELLTNGTON, July 26. A discussion took place at the Power Boards Conference to-day on a remit that definite powers lie given to hoards to require trees endangering power lines, being removed or trimmed back •by the owners and in the event of the hoard being compelled to do this wqrk the cost of same shall he recoverable from the owners of the land on which such trees are growing. The remit was lost. A remit was carried as follows :—(1) For the purpose of providing tension lines required where a guarantee is given and of • strengthening transmission lines to enable a greater load to be carried, the board may, by, special order, with the consent of tbe Minister, raise a loan over either the whole of some defined portion or portions of its district tlie amount to be raised in any one year not to exceed five per centum of the original authorised loan raised for construction of the undertaking.

(2) In the alternative it shall he lawful for the Board, for either of above purposes, to levy in any year a separate rate either on the whole or on some defined portion or portions of its districts, the amount of such rate tc be within the limits prescribed in paragraph one. AH tlie officers were re-elected. W. G. Galloway (Otago) was-added to the executive.

A TALK WITH FARMERS. WELLINGTON, July 25,

The Hon T. S. Weston, president of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, attended tlie conference of the Farmers’ Union to-day. He said he hoped there would in future be closer co-operation between the body be' represented and tlie Farmers’ Union and other representative farming organisations. Tf the -organisations looked more to the common interest of all rather than to their individual interests more prosperity would result. Mr F. S. Bowen (Gisborne) asked whether there could not he an annual conference among the Farmers’ Union Slieepowners’ Federation and Employers’ . Federation. Mr Weston said.lie,.felt sure tlie advisory boArd of bii federation would welcome any such conference, and he

would bring tlie suggestion before the next meeting of the board. Mr J. Roberts, secretary of the Alliance of Labour, said there was lack of relationship between farmers and the workers of the town. The workers, recognising that they would receive more work according to whether proproduction among farmers increased, did their best in handling farmers’ produce on the waterfront. Tf the producers had any complaint as to tlie way in which their produce was being handled he wouTd be glad to bare advice and assistance, which might result in improvement. The Labour movement wanted the retention of compulsory arbitration. While recognising the right of farmers to organise, the workers also insisted oil their own right to organise to protect themselves and to maintain their Social status. Mr Roberts, concluding, said that he was always in favour cf settling disputes across the table rather than referring them to a- third party, which often arrived at decisions that were not satisfactory to either.