DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1929, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

STRANGE OVERSIGHT,

ELECTION THAT WAS NOT HELD.

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 17,

A rather strange oversight has come to light in regard to the member sitting on the Auckland Hospital Board as representative of the road boards in Eden County. According to the Act, the election of a member for the combined districts should have taken place last year by vote of the electors returning the respective road board members. This, apparently, was overlooked, and Mr M. J. Coyle has sat on the board for twelve months through inadvertence. It will now be a duty for the members of the respective local bodies, and not the electors, to nominate a member. It is held in some circles that the validity of certain proceedings of the Hospital Board is now called into question, and there is some talk of a short Act to validate the decisions of the board during the past twelve months.

WINDOW SMASHED BY BARGAINHUNTERS.

AUCKLAND, April 17

In the rush for bargains at a sale of stock damaged by water in John Court’s drapery store in Queen Street, part of the, plate-glass window was broken, and a few people sustained minor injuries.

When the doors were opened, fully 2000 women surged into the shop. Every precaution thought necessary had been taken, and what happened was caused by the crowd suddenly swerving in one particular direction.

NAVY LEAGUE REQUESTS.

WELLINGTON, April 18,

The Navy League Conference remits were presented to Sir J. Ward and Mr T. M. Wilford to-day.

Replying, Mr Wilford said that the Government was alive to the necessity for providing suitable seaplanes and flying boats in future. Approval had been given for the purchase of a Moth plane convertible for use over land and sea, and two Fairey seaplanes, similarly convertible, but the Government could not afford to find the money for the creation of large aerodromes. Sir J. Ward said that the Government did not under-value the importance of the navy, and it appreciated the good work the Navy League was doing, but he did not think it could give effect to all the deputation asked.

AN AIR FEET

HAWERA, April 19

A fleet of three Moth planes piloted by Captains J. L. Findlay (Air Force), j‘ C. Mercer (Canterbury Aero Club), and M. C. Chandler (Marlborough Aero Club), and a Bristol fighter piloted by Capt. H. B. Burrel (Air Force), is proceeding to the Air Pageant at Auckland. They left here at* 10.20 this morning, the weather fair with a stiff southerly breeze. The Moths reached here yesterday evening from Christchurch and Blenheim. The Bristol fighter arrived from Feilding this morning, resuming the flight after refuelling. The Bristol Fighter is the same machine used by Kingsford-Smith on his Dominion tour last September.

PLANES ARRIVE AT AUCKLAND . AUCKLAND, April 19.

Four planes from Hawera landed safely after 12 noon, with .the exception of Captain J. C. Mercer, who had trouble in finding the aerodrome, landing three-quarters of an hour later than the others, whose time was 1 hour 55 minutes from Hawera.

VALUABLE PROPERTY.

DUNEDIN, April 19

A Princes Street property with a frontage of 87ft. Sin. and with a depth of 132 ft. and containing 1 rood 13.3 poles, was sold for £40,000.

UNEMPLOYED

AUCKLAND, April 19,

Hon de la Perrelle, after conferring with .local members of Parliament agreed to telegraph to the Minister of Public Works urging him to provide work for at least five hundred unemployed in tlie country district. Mr Perrelle said Tt was hoped the men would he started in employment almost immediately.

DRUNKEN DRIVER

STRATFORD, April 19,

Before Justices at Court to-day Arthur McPhillip of New Plymouth was fined £25 on a charge of being intoxicated in charge of a motor car. Accusers car mounted a footpath and a shop window was broken.

WELLINGTON FINANCES,

WELLINGTON, April 19

The City Council’s revenue for the past vcar was £640,766, and all was expended but £513. Rates produced £431,628, rents £52,879. Interest and sinking funds swallowed £210,000.

GAMING HOUSE FINE,

WELLINGTON, April 19

Wong Wai, a Chinese fruiterer, with two previous convictions, was fined £6O, in default three months, for keeping a gambling house. Counsel said it was not right that Chinese should suffer when anyone could gamble in Taitersall tickets, but the S.M. held the morality of the proceedings was a matter for the legislature,

GAMING HOUSE CHARGES,

AUCKLAND, April 19

Raymond Lewis, 40; Francis Brewer, 41 : Robert Francis Bennett, 45; were each fined £IOO. or three months, for using premises in the city as common gaming houses. Austen McCormick. 33; Frederick .Tames Dryland, 27: who assisted in the management of such houses were each fined £lO, while Alfred Nicholls, 66; and Louis Atger, 22; were fined £2, each;, being found on the promises.