DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

MIDWIFERY TRAINING. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.j WELLINGTON, October 17. An assurance that there is no cause for alarm in connection with the suggestion of Dr. Watt to j,he Executive of the Hospital Boards Association that midwifery training should be restricted to four St. Helen’s Hospitals in the main centres has been telegraphed to Whangarei Hospital Boa id by Mr Murdoch, member for Marsden. He said lie had the assurance of the Minister of Health that no such change was contemplated nor would it ho tolerated.

LOCAL BILLS COMMITTEE. WELLINGTON, October 17

The Local Bills Committe concluded the hearing to-day of evidence from representatives of local bodies and other bodies on tlie provisions of the Urban Farm Lands Rating Bill. Hon. Perrclle expressed regret that Ministerial dates bad prevented bis attending sittings of the committee and hearing of evidence, but in any case he had iful] confidence in the committee and in the final result of their deliberations. FOUND DEAD. AUCKLAND, October 17. Frank Winter, a partner in the firm of Rustless Door Pad Co., was found dead in his office this morning, poisoned by gas. Immediately over the body was a gas point which had been broken at the point. TRAFFIC BYE-LAWS. HAMILTON, October 17. Hnmlton Borough solicitors, comm anting on Jus+jeo Ostler’s re'cent riui.a7n.ent in Squashing the byelaw relating to omnibuses, state under the judgment there is nothing to prevent competition with bus services on the part of taxis, provided they carry not more than, seven persons. The Council resolved to take no action pending the fate of the new Transport Bill. The Council after considering the Transport Bill recommend omnibus districts should be the old provinces, and each district authority be required to appoint local committees to report on applications, where chiefly local interests are concerned. For instance,in Auckland district, committees to he established at - Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Thames and Gisborne-

TTUTT POWER ROAD. WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. As a result oif an exhaustive enquiry into the affairs .of the Hutt Valley Power Board, MrqE. R. Hollands, late manager of the Timaru Municipal De-

•partment. has been appointed engineer manager to the Board at a salary of £IOOO a year. Mr Hollands was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England in 1886. He is a registered chartered electrical engineer of New Zealand, a ! member of the Institute of Electrical j Engineers,.- South-Africa, a member of : the Institute of Electrical Engineers . England, and an associate member olf the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers. A FASHION PARADE. AUCKLAND, Oct. 15.

Milne and Choyee’s Tudor tearoom was the scene of a very fashionable gathering this morning, presided over

by Countess Orford when an exquisitely rolled fashion parade was held to augment tin* funds of the Campbell Free Kindergarten. All the frocks were worn by members of the younger set, and much grace and charm were shown by the amateur mannequins as they too the stage and displayed with attractive ease the many beautiful frocks. The auction of a small lamb designated Ansper, which was fed by bob’. -n the platform to prove it nl'vo. caused a great deal of amusement. The sum of £‘l2 os was obtained, the b'ph'sb bidder being Mrs W. R. Wilson. Lady Anne Walpole was the little sbeplierdness who led the lamb to the stage. ADVERTISING WOOL. LEVY TO FINANCE CAMPAIGN. WELLINGTON, Oct. IG. The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon G. AY. Forbes, announced in the House to-day. in reply to Air Poison, member for Stratford, that the Government will comply with the request of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation and introduce this session legislation providing for a levy oil wool. The Bill, lie explained, is being drafted by the Crown law draughtsman.

The Mnistcrial explanation shows the Prime Minjster is carrying out his promise to shceppwncrs that legislation will he passed enabling thorn to impose an export levy on wool for tlie purpose of co-operating with woolgrowers in other parts ol the Empire in an .-advertising and a research campaign in respect to wool production and use. The levy will not he imposed unless approved by ballot of those concerned.

1928 COMMITTEE. AUCKLAND. Oct, 10. The 1928 Committee decided to-day to bring to a conclusion its work of opposing State interference in business and formally banded over its task to the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Mr Albert Spencer, president of the Auckland Employers’ Association, presided. The speakers included Messrs Stronach Paterson (Wellington). C. A. Treadwell (Wellington) and A. F. AVriglit (Christchurch).

DEATHS FROM MOTOR ACCIDENTS. WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. Tlie death rate from motor vehicle accidents is not appreciably higher in the urban areas than in the country districts, states the Government Statistician in his report on the vital statistics ol the Dominion for the past year. “The rate per 10,000 of population for the whole of the Dominion in 1928 was 1.27—f0r the urban areas 1.35, and for the country or remaining districts 1.17. It is interesting to observe the difference in the rates for the four main centres. Wellington records the highest with a rate of 1.54 followed by Auckland with 1.26 Christchurch with 1.06, and Dunedin with 0.48. It will he noticed that, with the exception of Wellington, all four have a lower rate than the general rate for the entire Dominion.”

The number of deaths from motor vehicle accidents in 1928 was 176. Accidents arising from the use of horsedriven vehicles caused seventeen deaths. Comparatively few fatal tramway accidents, it is stated, occur in Now Zealand, this class of vehicle causing only ten deaths in 1928.

BREACH OF AWARD. TAXI PROPRIETOR FINED. CHRISTCHURCH, October 17. The Labour Department proceeded against George Dickinson, proprietor of White Diamond Taxis, for recovery of two penalties of £lO each for an alleged breach of the taxi drivers’ award. The case was similar to that against C. S. Trillo, proprietor of Gold Band Taxis, in respect of which an appeal is pending. Trillo adopted a plan of paying the men a proportion of the gross receipts. Dickinson, to meet competition, hired cabs to men at a daily rate. It was alleged men could not earn award rates working ninety or a hundred hours weekly. The Magistrate declared the agreement to be an evasion of the award and fixed a penalty of £2 in each case. FARMER TOURISTS. DUNEDIN, October 17. The touring party of 28 Tasmanian farmers arrived here from Central Otago to-night. They will spend tomorrow at the Taieifi, and Saturday moriiiing at Bushy Park, leaving lor Canterbury at 1.15 p.m.

WAIMATE JUBILEE. iINTEREISTIN G CELEBRATIONS WAIMATE, October 17.

A unique memorial, commemorative' of the Waimate Borough’s golden jubilee, was unveiled in the presence of a- large gathering this afternoon. Tlie memorial is a replica of a Maoii meeting house, with a genuine old Maori carvings for the front, and is situated across the corner of Seddon Square. The building makes a striking memorial, and provides the square with a shelter house. • Inside there are tablets 'to the memory of Skuclhcilme, /the first white settlei , Chief - Huiruhuraa, with whom Mr Studliolme fraternised on his arrival; the first Mayor and Councillors; and the Jubilee Mayor and Councillors. Prior to the unveiling, a huge procession, including a bullock wagon and a hooded buggy used by the first Mayor, and a “Penny-Farthing” bicycic, together with modern cars and cycles, passed through crowded streets.

trading dept, profits. DUNEDIN, Oft. 18. The City Trading Department profits lor six months ended Sept. 30th. wore £48.171, an advance of £2049 on the same period last year. LADY FERGUSSON FAREWELLED. WELLINGTON, October 18. A farewell message was given to Lmlv Alice Fergusson by the combined women’s societies of Wellington. The Presidents of twenty-seven societies met her Excellency at the door of the hall, which was crowded. Lady l(ergnsson spoke briefly saying their five years’ residence was even happier than they could have hoped. Ihev weie leaving with great regret and there was no danger of forgetting New Zealand.