DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

NATIONALIST’S-WIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association). MELBOURNE, Aug. 3. The Balaclava bye-election to fill Mr Watt’s seat in the Federal House of: Representatives, resulted in a victory for Mr T. W. White, the endorsed Nationalist. YOUNG MAN’S SUICIDE. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 3. A verdict “that Harold Hough, aged 20, of 394 Colombo St., committed suicide by' shooting himself through the heart with a shot gun,” was returned by the Coroner Mr E. C. Levvey ,S.M. at an inquest to-day.’ Hough was found dead at his home on Saturday afternoon with a shot gun lying across liis legs. He had apparently touched off the trigger with a piece of wood ,which was in his

A PENSIONS 'SCHEME

NEW PLYMOUTH, August 3

A pensions scheme under the Employers’ Superannuation Fund, set up by an amendment to the National Provident Fund Act last session, lias 'been inaugurated by the proprietor and staff of the Taranaki “Herald and Budget.” ’ Mr T: D. L. Cumberbeadh, who is touring the Dominion as organiser, states- that this is the first newspaper office to adopt 'the scheme. Prac-tically-all eligible joined, and contributions, with the proprietor’s subsidy, •total, over £SOO 'yearly. The Government gives a subsidy amounting to 25 per cent of the contributions'for all pensions up to £2 a week.

POLICE TRANSFERS.

AUCKLAND, August 3

It -is reported from Christchurch that Detective-Sergeant ' J. Bickerdike, of Auckland, and possibly other expert’detective officers from other metropolitan centres will be temporarily transferred to Christchurch in connection with the activities of the fire fiends operating there.

When asked about tlfe matter Inspector J. W. Hollis, in charge of the Auckland Central district, said that he had not received any official notification of such course (being taken. However, it is believed that there is' every likelihood of Mr Biekerdike being sent to Christchurch; For many' years lie served in the .police in tli,e Cathedral City, both as a constable and later as' a detective. He knows i the city and its criminals exceedingly well. It' will be ‘remembered ’that Mr' Biekerdike Was assigned for 'special duty in’ Christchurch after tlie 1 Bunvood murder had been ' committed.

j ! NEW AUXILIARY'' VESSEL

AUCKLAND; August:3.

’ , The new' auxiliary schooner-Foxtoh l was launched from- Mr -'G.'• ■Niccbl’s ! yard at Freeman’s BhV shortly-after -four o’clock yesterdays afternoon. The vessel has been built for theyCanter- ' bury Steam Shipping' 'Company, and lit-.will be'employed in the .trade between South ’lsland ports and Fox-' ton. She should be read for sea in a fortnight. ,y The 'Fox-ton is 110 ft in length. She has. a 28ft beam and a capacity of 325 ■tons,- with a draught of 7ft Gin; Twin Faifbanks-Morse Diesel engines of 100 nominal ’horse-power each are fitted. : There are two Fairbanks-Morse oildriven cargo winches and electric light is installed, with special provision for cargo operations at night. A speed of nine knots is expected. . POISON EFFECTS. AUCKLAND, August 3. Edwin Ryan, aged thirty-two, <i married man and a labourer living at Cardwell Street, New Lynn, was taken to the Auckland Hospital late yesterday’ afternoon suffering from the effe'ets of poison. His condition was critical on- admission, but to-day lie had shown improvement. • Ryan returned from work about three'o’clock and after an altercation with his'wife was later found lying ; outside his home with a bottle of poison beside him. At ono time -he was a well-known Rugby footballer, being obe of the famous Ryan family of Retone', and was a member of the New Zealand Army team which toured South Africa'in 1919, of which his brother James was vice-captain after leading the team to victory in the King’s Cup in 1919.

i-. SUSPICIOUS FIRE. CHRISTCHURCH, August G. ' There were suspicious circumstances i about''the .fire Inst night in a woodshed ‘at tlm rear of the home of Gladstone Ol Bristol Street. St. AU ■ is the son of the Prime ‘Miift&qr. ; The Brigade extinguished thc'flnirnes- after slight damage had be6n caused. An intruder was heard in the yard only, half an hour earlier, hut Ward went out and could see no one. The owner says' the circumstances point to incendiarism. ESTATES OFFERED. BLENHEIM. August G. Bnnkhouse and Marchburn estates which adjoin at the confluence of Wnihopoi and Wairau rivers, about ten miles from Blenheim, have been offered to the Government for closer settlement. Delta estate also adjoins the properties referred to and is available for closer settlement. The three properties subdivided would afford an

opportunity for a closer settlement scheme on a fairly large scale. NEW LAND TAX. AUCKLAND, Aug. 6. Hon. Donald, Postmaster-General, stated to-day that the new land tax proposals do not apply to city properties. The proposals -concerned farm lands, and city properties were exempt. “You cannot burst up city properties,” he commented.