DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

LAND SETTLEMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright

9 AUCKLAND, May 17. The ultimate solution of many of the country’s difficulties will • undoubtedly be the extension of land settlement, with small farms and more intense cultivation, said Hon Cobbo, speaking at the annual meeting of Auckland Manufacturers’ Association. Government is fully alive to the necessity, he continued, but there are big difficulties to contend with. We have been offered between 2000 and JOOO estates, but up to the present we have been able to buy lower than half a dozen, the simple reason being that the prices asked are 'absolutely prohibitive. I cannot help thinking that these land owners do not realise how they are handicapping the country, and they would he wise if they offered to sell at reasonable prices, while the going is good, to use an expressive phrase.

! ' JURY’S FINDINGS. { ' WELLINGTON. May 17. The hearing of the charge against two Ryans, Gordon and Capon was concluded in the Supremo Court ‘ today 1 . 'After two hours’ retirement' the jiirj fellhd' the Ryans guilty of receiving, goods, knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained, found Gordon guilty of arson and Capon not guilty. His Honour said ho agreed entirely with the verdict. The prisoners were remanded till Monday for sentence. GELIGNITE ON RIVER STEAMER. POLICE INVESTIGATING. ... i ••’WANGANUI!, May 16. . j.Fju'ther investigations into the placing jof'fi&lignito on the river steamer Ivaliakpiio tin Sunday : rtt Pipiriki go to .show tliht’i had it exploded;'three other ,steiime?s i’n close proximity woulfl probabiy 'have "been sent to 'the bottom. J).etecTiWßevell' is’ "still at Pipiriki umliiiVg : iwvcstigiitidiis. | ' 1 ); I•>i .I j ■ n'|. . : 1 .'■ - -'NORTHLAND TUNNEL.

: ' May 16. On June 4 the' tram service to Northland through the notorious Northland Tunnel will commence run-

ning. The tunnel "• for years has been a ' sore- spot in connection with, civic administration,''a.s- i't Was defective in construction and only 'passed the atithoritieW aftdr great-expense in putting; Tt "to fights. Quite ■ apart from : jtliisj liowdVcf, tlij public have always { been TBvnled rts to ,: Hie’' justification - , • foil Wer'Vindertakikg Tt.; With trams j tifrougb the''Brighter side of the. picttile j will liijvh a chance to present, itself. ' . iiw! i a PlVP'i i 1 -> iI / 1 '/.1.' • • .FfSITING' PARTY '.OVERDUE. WIIAKATANE, May 16. A party of six left Matata 011 Sunday morning in a launch to fish in the vicinity of Ilurima islands, and as they bad not returned up to to-day some anxiety lias, been fell regarding their safety. Tin* party consisted of J. Herd and son, Smith and .Seymour, and two Maori boys named Savage. They look very little with them in the way of provisions as they expected to lie hack fin Sunday evening. Lights have ‘Tioen jseeii on the Rurima islands, and it ’is considered that the party landed there'. "During the past few days the sea H s In '•)! very rough. It is now iiifvh muing,' ."i l if they are on the ik and.s the parly may lie able to get awa v soon. In the meantime it is underst • /; ' 1 * ’ lat nssing vessels have been iufei u. ud in look out lor the paity.

FARM HR, I'M NED. REMOVAL OF EAR FROM SHEEP \V AIP UK UR AU, May 17. At the Police -Court to-day, Tlrunas Daniel I’rushing, farmer, of Teuri, pleaded guiltv to having line! posscssion of sheepskin and head from which an ear had been removed. Evidence as to finding the skin was given by Detective Earquharson. who stressed the seriousness of interfering with the earmarks. Counsel for defendant said that defendant'was a returned soldier settler and bore an excellent character. He had ' killed . the sheep unaware that the ear was missing, and was unable to account- for the incident. » Tbo Bench entered a conviction, and imposed a.'.-fine of £2. The Bench said that farmers would ho well advised to acquaint themselves with the Act governing such oases. CROSSING TRAGEDY. * CT-TRTSTCHITRCH, May 17. 'John Nesbitt aged 7f>, was killed instanty by bring struck by an express train when riding a bicycle over a level crossing at Belfast to-night. The crossing is an open one the view of the lino being unobseured on either side lint the' evening was dark. Nesbitt’s body was terribly mutilated. and was carried 300 yards by tlie train. •