DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

PLUM BEKS’ CONFEBEXCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). DUNEDIN, Feb. 12. The annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Plumbers opened in the Commercial Travellers’ Club. Rooms this morning, Afr A\ . A. Jenkins, of Dunedin, presiding. Delegates representing every province in the Dominion were present. Before the business of the conference was proceeded with, the Deputy-Mayor (Or J. S. Douglas) extended a hearty welcome to the visiting delegates on behalf of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Duiydin. After an adoption of the report ,tlie terms of affiliation of the recently formed Hawke’s Bay Union were discussed, and it was decided to admit the Union on a special subscription basis, in view of its small membership. Air E. G. Dowrick was welcomed as the official representative ot the Union. Consideration of the reports occupied the remainder of the session.

CREW BADLY BURNT. THAMES, Feb. 13. Four well known residents of Tauranga were badly burnt yesterday when the launch Kingfish caught fire after an explosion in Alercury Cove, where it was lying at anchor. The crew comprised Captain Black, Alessrs Joseph, Alcirilccs,- and Hunt, and all were injured, Black being m a serious condition. The .launch Emerald saw the blaze and rescued the crew from their predicament, subsequently taking them to Alercury Bay where they were taken •to a hospital. The launch Kingfish was salved in a bad condition. NO BREWERY FOR ASHBURTON. DECISION OF CABINET. WELLINGTON, February 11.

Cabinet has had under consideration an application lor a brewery license at Ashburton, in view of the changed electoral boundaries bringing the area into a licensed electorate. The Prime Alinister states that the decision is not to grant a license. Questioned regarding the club charter application, Sir Joseph Ward states that this bad not been before the Government. COURT NEWS. AUCKLAND, Eeb. 12. Afr Justice Kennedy’s debut on the Supreme Court Bench was marked ij,'a mild sensation to-day. Cyril Kcvmr McKenna and John Siddens were charged with assault and robbery. AlcKonna walked quietly into the dock, but a violent struggle took place between Siddens and a constable, the former being eventually forced into the dock alongside Ale Kenna. Counsel explained that his client’s attitude was due to a mistake, as be was under the impression he was being forced into the witness box.

MENTAL PATIENT AT LARGE. DUNEDIN, Feb. 14. Athol George Beamish White, who was committed to Scadiffe Mental Hospital after being found not guilty of an attempted murder of a police officer at Auckland in July, 1927, escaped from the institution yesterday afternoon. He is still at large. ELEANOR BOLLING IN GOOD WEATHER. WELLINGTON, Fob. 11. According to a wireless message received from Commander Byrd by Mr . G.-Brophy, second in command of tlieexpedition, the Eleanor Bolling is encountering excellent- weather, with an absence of ice, on her voyage from the Bay of Whales to Dunedin, where she is expo-'ed to arrive at daybreak on V : 'ay ma t. The mossa -o added that the Eleanor !Hli:ig bad transhipped 80 tons of coal from Lie C. A. Larsen in the Ro, •- S a.