DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1929, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

ROAD PROBLEMS. I A SUGGESTED REMEDY. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) HAMILTON, June 2-1. -Mr Rupert Worley, Borough Engineer, addressing Rotarians to-day, said the present competition of motors with the railways was grossly unfair, as the motors did not pay fully for the use of the roads. Poor people who were unable to afford a motor had to bear an undue burden. On the principle olf maiiing the users pay, M,r Worley suggested the imposition of petrol and vehicle 'taxes sufficiently heavy to cover the whole cost of construction and maintenance of adequate roads. The State should construct' and maintain the main highways and hand to the local authorities a due proportion ol -he taxes for subsidiary roads. HOTEL BURNT. CHRISTCHURCH, June 2G. A fire destroyed the Star and Garter Hotel at Waikari last evening. The hotel was a very well known landmark, having been erected before the railway lino reachej the district. The licensee was J. Beale. ICS.A. REQUESTS. WELLINGTON. June 2G. In ail endeavour to deal with tl/e relief of returned soldiers not otherwise entered wholly for by the pensions . or war funds the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Conference recommended the net annual interest on the canteen if mid be expended immediately in this direction and also decided to ask the Government to set up at commission to inquire into the aspect's of unemployment and the best means of reducing it. BODY. FOUND. * WELLINGTON, June 2G. The body of the missing woman, Annie Black, was found floating in the harbour. On .May sth the lint and bag of the deceased was found ott the outer end of the railway wharf. S:\IITHFIELI) WORKS FIRE. GUTTED PORTION WELL INSURED. TIMAR.U, June 24. It now appears that the portion of the Smithfield Freezing Works destroyed by fire on (Friday evening carries a heavier insurance than at first stated. The slaughter house and cooling room carried an insurance of £IB.OOO, the greater part by iho Northern Insurance Coy., but a portion by the London and Lancashire Coy. The 1400 carcases destroyed were fully covered under a marine policy- which covers carcases from the time they were taken to the cooling chamber in New Zealand until tliey leave the cooling chamber at Home. FIRE IN CHINESE L\ UNDRY. DUNEDIN, June 25. Early this afternoon a fire broke out in a Chinese laundry in Higligate, Roslyii, a new d.ors remo.ed ! from the Roslyii Fire Station. Iho laundrvman, Slum Chang Lee. was using petrol in a bottle in connection wi.li his work, when the spirit became ignited. He attempted to put tho blaze out himself, hut was burned about the face and hands. 'I he brigade was .summoned at 12.55 to deal with the outbreak, and the fire was | extinguished before any great damage had been done to the building or contents. The injured Chinaman received attention, and was then taken to hospital, hut he i.s not reported to be seriously burned. The building in which the fire occurred was owned by Mr Cooper, and no particulars of the j insurance have yet been ascertained, i STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. j MEN AND COWS. HAMILTON, June 25. Struck by lightning on his father’s farm at Matnngi ibis morning. D. Coventry was knocked down and rendered unconscious for several hours. Mr AY. Coventry, sour., was also knocked over but was not injured. Four ( cows and two calves were killed outright, The rest of a herd of 6') head were kuo Iced