DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,) THEFT OU AHGES. GREY-MOUTH, Sep. 5. Denis Costello, a clerk employed by the Grey County Council, was to-day remanded to November sth on a ehnrgo of thrift of £O4O 17s (id, tho property of the Council. Bail in self of £2OO and one surety of £2OO was allowed. I'TJT BANANAS. NEW SCHEME OF PURCHASING. AUCKLAND, Sept. ,1. The now scheme for tho purchase of bananas by shippers from Fiji growers which has been adopted by tho Fiji Government is expected to improve tho quality of tho fruit, reduce costs, and ensure better condition for growers it? future. Undleif 'the scheme ship port) will bo allocated banana areas and will he prevented from buying indiscriminately as in the past.

Mr G. S. Radley, who returned from Fiji by the Tofna, said the scheme was evolved last October, but its adoption had been delayed. With tile exception of the island of Kadavu, some 70 miles from Suva, which remained open to competition, all the banana growing areas in the group came under the new •scheme. “In the past shippers have been allowed to purchase bananas anywhere”, Mr Radley said. “Now they are obliged to work the areas allocated to them. The overhead charges in the past liavo been higher than they should have been, because often tho bananas were transported 60 and 70 miles to Suva, and there might have been six or more launches operating on tho same river. The growers now have a fairer chance of their fruit being purchased.” The next shipment of bananas brought to Auckland by the Tofna would be purchased under the new scheme.

Mr Radley said he was confident the scheme would soon he noticeable. Bad weather at Fiji accounted for the fact that the Tofua’s shipment of bananas numbered only 13,500 ases instead of 17,000. According to Air Radley there is every promise of large crops and ho expects shipments to increase to 23,000 cases in December.

A SUDDEN DEATH. TIMARU, Sept. 4. Miss Flora McKenzie, aged 19, a member of the Southland Hockey team participating in tile women’s championship tournament, died in the hospital this morning. She was taken ill at a, dance on Saturday, and became unconscious, from which, she never, recovered. It is believed the cause of death was spinal meningitis. All the morning games were postponed.

GAS POISONED. AUCKLAND, September 4. At the inquest concerning the death of Percy N. Kingswcll, well known in mining circles, in tiic Rcefton district, tlie coroner returned a verdict, ol death by gas-poisoning. REFORM DISSENSION. AUCKLAND, September 5. Despite the selection of Miss Melville as Reform candidate for Roskill, there is dissatisfaction among tliq supporters of Mr E. H. Potter, who aie urging him to stand .as an Independent candidate, it is stated a largely signed petition will he sent to tho Premier urging, a referendum on ihe party’s choice.

TO-DAY’S TEST. WELLINGTON. Sept. 0. The weather is not too pleasant for the first test match, New Zealand v. Now South Wales. A cold southerly is blowing but there is no rain and it shows signs of •breaking. The ground will he soft. • POLITICAL. BLENHEIM. Sept. 5. >lr E. F. Mealy, a retired farmer and auctioneer of Blenheim, is announced to-day as a Candidate foi the Wairau seat in the Liberal-Labour interest,.

TEAM ALTERATIONS. WELLINGTON. Sept. 5. Owing to an , injury, Snodgrass is unable to play to-day. and will be replaced by AlcClymont (Otago). . Minus is doubtful, in which ease MnoKay (Wellington) will be emergency back.

ACCLIMATISATION. WELLINGTON, Sept. 5.

A conference of New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies opened to-day. The President (L. O. H. Tripp, Welliirgton) stressed the need to protect native birds, which ho said were holding their own, and in some cases on the increase considerably. It would be an advantage if people planting plantations would remember to plant flower and berry trees. He thought that certain areas should be taken and cleared of vermin. It was also important that island sanctuaries should bo kept as sanctuaries. Out of thirty islands there were only ten with caretakers. He considered that when the leases of Auckland and Camplicll Islands had lapsed, the Government should establish them ns .sanctuaries for fauna and flora.