DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1929, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

AIRPORT CRITICISM.

B Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright,

WELLINGTON, Nov. 25

Criticism is being published of the airport. One pilot says the hangars are in the wrong place and form an obstruction, also that the wind mast is in the way and should be at the side of the ground while its colour renders the vane obscure.

THE PRODUCTIVE NORTH.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

WHANGAREI, Nov. 25

The members of the Chambers' of Commerce train who have been touring the north were entertained at a smoke concert at Whangarei on Saturday night. The visitors were astounded at the class of country and the productivity. It is stated that the butter produced by twenty-two factories in the Northern Peninsula last year was valued at £1,817,600, an increase of approximately £500,000 compared with the previous year. Sheep bust year numbered 886,510, an increase of 141,521. Wool exported was vaJiie at approximately £264,500. It is 'generally admitted that the north is destined to become one of the most important areas in the Dominion.

A LUCKY ESCAPE.

GIiSBORNE, Nov. 25

Four occupants escaped serious injury but two ladies were badly bruised and shaken when a car driven by Einear Thomson, of Motu, stalled on a steep hill and ran back over a 30 foot bank. • The car was badly damaged.

DAIRY COY. BURGLED

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 25

Burglars visited the offices of the Kiwi Dairy Cbmpanv in iSt. Astaph Street during the week-end and opened the strong room by use of explosives. A sum between £2O and £3O was stolen from the'safe. This is the sixth case of safe blowing here in the last fortnight.

DRUNKEN DRIVER

HAMILTON, November 25,

James Lawless, a coal carrier, aged 61, for being drunk: in off a lorry, was fined £2O and his license cancelled for two years. Magistrate Wilson remarked that the photic had' to be protected. It was his duty to see this type of man was kept off the road. ;

INQUEST VERDICT

TAUMARUNUI, Nov. 25

At the inquest on H. C. Black, who was killed in a motor accident on Friday, a verdict of accidental death was returned. No blame was attachable to anyone.

BOOKIES FINED.

AUCKLAND, Nov. 25,

John William Hopkins, 36, and Herbert Edard Longridge, 40, salesmen, were arrested this morning in their office which was alleged be used as a common gaming house. Before Mr Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court, the police stated Hopkins was employed 'by a principal who was absent. Hopkins had not been before the Court previously but the principal had. The business was an extensive one. The Magistrate said as the principal had been previously charged before he would treat the case as if he was again before the Court and fined Hopkins £IOO and costs, Langridge, for being on the premises, was fined £2 and costs.

MYSTERIOUS BURNING,

AUCKLAND, Nov. 25

When motoring along the PanniureKohimarama Road about midnight on Saturday Captain G. F. Bradley, of the Papatoetoe Fire Brigade discovered a motor car in flames opposite the spot- where Elsie Walker was found dead. He could do nothing but let it burn, Half an hour later while driving Ibaek from Kolii along the same road Bradley found another car burning, on the side of Mt. .Wellington. Nobody was seen near either car, the former of which has been reported stolen. The ownership of the latter is not yet traced.

MOTOR ACCIDENT

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 23

A motor car overturned on some loose shingle on the road to O’Kain’s Bay, Bank Peninsula, yesterday. Desmond John Pidgeon, son of the owner and driver of the car, Mr AV. L. Pidgeon, received serious injury, including a deep cut on the head and two fingers cut off. He may also lose a thumb. Only bruises and shock were suffered by the two other passengers. Mr Pidgeon had his hand cut when breaking the windows to extricate his family. Mrs Pidgeon suffered badly from shock. One of her stockings was burnt off by acid from the battery.

GAMING PROSECUTION

AUCKLAND, Nov. 23

Robert Frances Bennett was charged at the Police Court with keeping premises in Swanson Street as a common gaming house He had a previous conviction, and a fine of £IOO for a similar offence six months’ ago He was fined a similar amount to-day by Mr Hunt, S.M. Frederick Jones Dryland, a young man found on the premises, was fined £5.