DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

COST OF LIVING

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON 1 , Sept. 10,

According to the Government Statistician’s analysis, it now takes £1 ; 12s to purchase what could be bought in July, 1914, for one pound.

PUKEAIIRO COLLIERIES LTD,

AUCKLAND, Sept. 10.

The annual report of Pukemiro Collieries Ltd. for the year ended August 3lst. states that after making allowance for depreciation and taxation and payment of an interim dividend (£lO,000) the balance available for distribution is £78,402. The directors recommend payment of a dividend of 5s a share (making 35 per cent, for the year). This will absorb £25,0C0 and leave £53,402 to be carried forward.

MALICIOUS PROSECUTION,

WOMAN’S AWARD OF £350

HAMILTON, September 10

In the case, Bertha Prescott, versus Albert Edward Powell, of Huntly, for malicious prosecution, Air Justice Ostled to-day gave judgment for £350, in accordance with the jury’s award last Thursday. Counsel for Powell gave notice to ask. leave for a now trial next Friday.'

WIFE’S CLATAI AGAINST HUSBAND.

HAMILTON, September iti.

At the Supreme Court, Elizabeth Anne Tanner, aged 73, sued her third husband, Jesse Tanner, *aged 56, for £3OO, which she allegedly bad lent him. The couple were married three years ago. Under a marriage settlement, the wife’s shop and properties at Rotorua were transferred to the husband, she retaining a life interest. The plaintiff alleged that her, husband bad borrowed £3OO to buy a car. They quarrelled. He took the car away. The oar was afterwards burned. The husband collected £383 insurance, besides salvage. Judge Ostler awarded Mrs Tanner half of the insurance and salvage.

HIAIITANGI TRAGEDY

INQUEST OPENED

FOXTON, Sept. 10

A post mortem examination of the remains of the Himitangi fire victims has disclosed eight bodies.

An inquest was formally opened today, and it was adjourned after hearing evidence of a formal nature given by a neighbour, Air Cadogan.

Warrants were issued for the burial of all the bodies.

■MAN INJURED

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 11

A farmer named Henry Bennett, 64, of North Loburn, was seriously injured yesterday through a collision between a gig be was driving and a motor-car.

SUSPECTED ARSON

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 11

There was another case of suspectp-' incendiarism last night. About 10.45 o’clock a fire was discovered in a new five-roomed cottage in Opawa Road. South, owned by A. Jarden. The Brigade saved the front part of the building hut the back part, in which the re stated, is badly damaged.

SOUTHLAND TEAMS. GREAT WELCOME HOAIE. INVERCARGILL, September 10. Southland Rugby football team, the holders of the Ranfurly Shield, and trie Southland ladies’ hockey team, winners of the Cup at the Dominion tournament, were accorded a most enthusiastic reception by a large crowd on their return this evening. Three bands were in attendance at the station, and there was a great demonstration when the train drew into the platform. The teams were taken through cheering crowds to the rotunda in Post Office square, where they were officially welcomed by the Alayor,- Air J. D. Campbell, and the officials of the Rugby Union, the Ladies’ Hockey Association, and the Boxing Association.

FATAL ACCIDENT. WANGANUI, September 11. While inspecting a metal pit at Aramobo early last evening, John - Jones, aged 85, a well-known contractor and a former Alayor of Wanganui East Borough, slipped and fell over the bank, breaking his neck. His widow predeceased him eleven years ago. He leaves an adult family off seven sons, and four daughters.

COLLISION AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Slept. 10. A goods train collided with a light motor van at tho crossing near Glen Eden Station this afternoon. The van was wrecked.

B. L. Wood, driver of the van, received abrasions to tho forehead and an injured thigh. His companion, a schoolboy, Alfred Ipson, aged 12. received a wound on the temple and a severely lacerated left leg. Both were sent to Auckland Hospital, their condition being satisfactory. The train was travelling slowly and it is stated that the warning whistle was sounded, A motor car ciossed the

line just in front of the van. The latter was caught broadside on, aad was almost smashed to matchwood.

CROSSING FATALITY.

TRAIN AND LORRY COLLIDE.

INVERCARGILL, Sept. 10.

A goods train coming into Invercargill this evening struck a motor lorry at the Cemetery Road crossing. Two men were on the lorry and one, John Crooks, of Tramway Road, was killed instantly. His companion, a man named White, was seriously iniurcd and was removed to the hospital.

CORDIAL MANUFACTURERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, September 9

The annual conference of cordial manufacturers sent a deputation to the Hon A. J. Stallworthy asking for amendments,in the Pure Food Act concerning the misuse of containers. The Minister promised to give them favourable consideration.

The conference passed a resolution supporting the Master Carriers’ Federation in favour or a more equitable system of the motor taxation. Mr A. G. Menzies, of Auckland, was re-elected president, and Mr F. N. iu’lver, Wellington, secretary.

Next year’s conference will be at Timaru.

OPIUM SMUGGLER.'^

A CHINAMAN ARRESTED

WELLINGTON, September 11

A Customs Officer, Boland, noticed a young Chinaman landing from the Maheno with a bucket. The man was returning to Dunedin after a two years’ visit to China. It is usual for Chinese travelling by steamer to have a bucket for washing purposes, but Boland’s suspicions were aroused, and finding the weight more than 4 should be, the bottom was priced out, and a flat tin was'found full of opium, valued at about £SO. The owner was thereupon arrested.

WHITEBAIT REGULATIONS.

WELLINGTON, September 11

The Marine Department is drafting regulations governing the catch of whitebait. They will include the payment of a fee by all who sell whitebait and the season will be restricted.

STATE MINE IDLE

GREYMOUTH, Sept. 11

The No .2 Liverpool State mine is idle to-day owing to the truckers refusing to work because a horse-driver’s lamp was stopped. The miners complained yesterday they were getting insufficient tubs and a deputy investigating the complaint spoke,*to the horsedriver concerned, who it is alleged gave insolent replies. He was sent 'from the mine and told to interview the mine manager.

JOURNALIST PASSES. TAURANGA, September 11

Obtiuary.—James Henry Clayton, aegd 78, well-known in the journalistic world. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest in the profession in New Zealand.