DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1930, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

METHODIST CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, February 26. The Methodist Conference has approved the nomination of the Rev G. 1 Laurenson to the position of assistant superintendent of home missions, the appointment to take effect in 1931. The question of house accommodation for departmental ministers of the Methodist Church was considered by the conference. The departments concerned are the home and foreign missions, connexional, secretaryship and young people’s. After considerable discussion tho following resolution was passed :—“That, while not interfering with tho present arrangements in the matter of house accommodation for ministers attached to t*ho departments, the conference recommends that, in making future appointments to departments. the department concerned consider the question of the provision by the department itself of a house for the minister.” t ILLICIT DISTILLING. SEVERE MEASURES THREATENED. INVERCARGILL, February 26. For being in possession liqour on which no duty had been paid, Peter M’Rae was fined £2OO by Mr E.C. Levvey., S.M., who said that if there were any more such, cases lie would consider exercising It is powers to sentence the offenders to imprisonment. The Collector of Customs stated that in .spite of numerous prosecutions within four year, tho distilling of illicit liqour was still carried on in Southland. The liqour contained a large percentage of fusel oil, which had deleterious effects. UNITED PARTY. AUCKLAND, February 27. The combined committees of the Grey Tuvnii Brandi of tlie "United Party to-night heard an explanation from Mr Fletcher, member for Grey Lynn, of his attitude. to recent developments in the Party. The committee unanimously carried a motion endorsing Mr Fletcher’s action, and expressed continued confidence in him. THREE KINGS ISLAND. WELLINGTON,.,February 27. A “Gazette” notice .appears . to night declaring Three Kings, Island te lie a sanctuary under the Animal Pretection and J Game Act, fluid, prohibits tlie taking of dogs. into,; or the carrying of firearms on the area aforementioned.

EVIDENCE' OF ARSON. " s FIRES AT NEW PLYMOUTH. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 26. Are firebugs commencing operations in New Plymouth. This, is a question that is being asked by many. At least five fires have occurred in unoccupied premises in the past-month. The majority have not been explained, but signs pf arson-were evident in an outbreak last night. An iricendiar"ist broke a window in an-upper- storey in J. M’Neill’s grocery and hardware shop in the, main street, took, a bundle of invoices downstairs, placed • them in the gent re of a large pile of kerosene cases and lighted them. By 7 chance a neighbour noticed smoke, rang Mr M’Neill at his home and communicated with tlie Fire Brigade, which arrived with chemical extinguishers and quickly put the fire out. Six casqs of kerosene were badly charred. A few minutes more and the whole building would have been ablaze. BROADSIDING. DUNEDIN PEEDWAY OPENED. TO'YEIMN, February 20. 'Dunedin’s ..Yew broadsiding tract-- • the U-ci - 1 -: y Royal, was opened fchi« evening in the presence of 8000 spectators. who /were raised to a high pitch of enthusiasm by the daring exhibition of riding. The principal race was won by 7 F. Bcnn.ish (Australia), who won unchallenged after H. Man a glut m (Non Zealand) and S. Perkins (Australia) had retired with broken chains. DWELLING BURNT. TE KUITI, Feb. 28. A fire totally 7 destroyed a six-roomed dwelling and contents in Massey St., used as a private hospital at 2.45 o’clock this morning. The proprietors. Nurse Boyle and her husband wor-t-lie only occupants, and were to hav< moved to-da.v to Tim blaze had a -strong hold when the brigade arrived, but a dead end in tim main allowed only one full pressure hose being brought to bear. The building was insured for £1,200 in tho London and Lancashire, and the contents for £IOO with the New Zealand Insurance Office. BAND SPECIAL PRIZES. DUNEDIN, Feb. 25. Dr 11. T. J. Thacker, who is the donor of a very handsome shield for the hand scoring most points for music at the Dominion band contests, is offering, for the first time a silver teapot to the wife of the winning bandmaster. This year be is also offering a special prize to the band that, excels itself at Garish rook on Saturday afternoon, whether it. is •an A.. B-. or C. grade band. Tlie donor wishes the prize to go to the band that is most effective

in cvcr.v detail, and wins the greatest approbation from the spectators. He hopes to have the competition judged by tine general audience and by two male judges and a- lady judge. THU NEW HEBRIDES. PRESBYTER IA N All NISTfR’S VIEWS. AUCKLAND, Fob. 26. The Rev. 0. Mitehelson, for fifty-two years Presbyterian Minister in the New Hebrides, arrived by the Maunganui on furlough and will go on to Dunedin for the General Assembly. Mr Mitchelson says that if Australia purchased French interests she would be in a more difficult position than the French, owing to the scarcity of labour in the group. The French had been using Tonkinese, and were in a much better position than the British planters, because the Home Government would not allow recruited labour to be brought in by British people.