DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

EX-PREMIER’S. HOUSE. -VERY LARGE EXPENDITURE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, August 8. .Some of the new Ministers, having been> criticised by Mr Wright,. Reform member for Wellington Suburbs,. for having spent money in renovating their office, the Hon E. A.. Ransom, ?of ?Phblicf. Works, 3 tfetorted 'with information about expenditure on the Prime Minister’s residence during Mr Coateste occupancy. The cost of alterations, furnishing .and upkeep, and gardening for three, years ended March last was £10,500, and during the last three months this residence was unoccupied. •It had cost £3500 a year for maintenance without interest, yet this was done by a so-called careful Government, which they were told would have avoided a deficit liad' they not boensucceeded by Ministers who became extravagant in renovating tlieir offices. ELSIE. WALKER CASE. WELLINGTON, August 8. ... M Elsie Walker ni^SjbfenypiipJisTi&d f in~a w'eekly ■ newspaper', were' shown 1 the Minister of ;J ustjce, •■jthq; ? Hon Mr jCs, -MbTWilford, this morning, who said “I cannot saymore than thisthe. present ipomept. I have no communication /to/ mate -.to-: the Press in regard to ihe Elsie Walker ease, - but I, can assure 'the people, of/ New Zealand that the Police Force of -New Zealand have-not-been, idle so-far as this case is concerned. Indeed, they have never let up at any stage and if it is considered in the future that further steps should be taken those steps will he taken. May I add that, as Minister, I 1 have every confh deuce in the Police Force of New Zealand, especially in view of the If act that' during the past year 92- per cent of the cases reported to the police have been i brought to prosecution.” BLASTING FATALITY,;; WAIROA, Aug. 9. George White, a widower, aged 45, in charge of a contracting' garig at No. 3 Public Works Road Construction Camp at Aniwaniwa, near Lake Waikanemoana, was preparing a hole for blasting, when tlie charge prematurely exploded, terribly injuring him. His arm was blown off, his ribs broken, and one eye was destroyed. He was removed to Wairoa Hospital, but he succumbed late this afternoon. An inquest' will be' held. n ROLLED BY OAR. ' AUCKLAND, August 9. A. R. Oiney, aged 57 years, a married tramway employee, who wasknocked down by . a motor-oar at Qnehunga last Saturday, when engaged -in oiling the trad, rails, died to-day. A remarkable circumstance of the .accident is that, the motor-car was l ;driven- by one -of the ' deoeased’s superior officers. SCHOOL JUBILEE. AUCKLAND, August 9. ! The Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Auckland Grammar School oommenoed to-day A- party of the earliest pupils of the .School gave addresses to - the present pupils in the I afternoon, and a ball which was largely attended, was held' to-night. ; To-morrow afternoon Old Boys will assemble at the school and the programme will include a football match 1 between the .past and present boys. A- smoke concert will be held in the evening; and the celebrations will conclude with divine service in the school assembly hall on Sunday.