DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1930, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

BANK CLERK’S THEFT

fl Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright

DUNEDIN, March 7

At a sitting of the Magistrate s Court, at Alexandra yesterday, J. A. Simes, clerk in the Bank of New Zealand at Alexandra, pleaded guilty to the theft of £IOO on November 3rd. 1929, and £520 on February 22nd. and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

DEATH OF RECLUSE

DUNEDIN, March 6. Popularly known as the “Hermit of Flagstaff,” Mr Ben Rudd died at the Dunedin Hospital. He was a picturesque figure for nearly 50 years, and lived on the mountain without human companionship of any kind save for very occasional visits from the few who knew him. The development of his small farm near the top of Flagstaff exemplified his astonishing patience and perseverance, and made him the centre of considei able interest from those who passed by.

At the time of his death Air Rudd was 70 years of age. He came to New Zealand as a very young man and took U]> residence in the Kaikovai Valley, where lie followed his occupation of gardener. His ability in this direction was exceptional, and up to the time lie left Kaikorai Valley to take over a small farm near the top of Flagstaff, about 49 years ago, he was one of the best-known gardeners in the city.

Life on the mountain was a solitary one, and he was discovered last month to be very ill, having boon without attention for a considerable period. He bad to be carried about a mile and n-lialf to tho ambulance before lie could be taken to the hospital.

FARMERS’ OBJECTION

ASHBURTON. March 7

The Ashburton Countv Council passed a resolution protesting against the constitution and the finding of the Committee on Unemployment, and against the imposition of any further burden on land. The resolution claimed that the Commission was not 10presentntive of farmers, and that its recommendations, as such, could not be borne hv the farming community. Many farmers who paid special land

tax, could employ two men with the money, that they would have to pay towards the scheme. The Council was of the opinion that the .scheme would lead to increased unemployment.

CTTTHSTCHLIK’H DEMAND

CHRISTCHURCH, March 7

At a meeting of the Citizens’ Un-r-mp’oyment Committee to-day, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr 11. T. Armstrong. ALP.. “That as there ate large sums of money at tho disposal of the Alain Highways Board, they

.•d’ll be utilised for tho purpose of imnrbving and extending our main highways', thereby giving employment to hundreds ol men. and using the funds at their disposal for a purpose, for which they woe collected.

It was stated that the Highways Beard Irul half a million unexpended South Island hinds in its hand.

EXTOAI OLOf 11C Af/ C()X PER KXCE AY ELLINGTON. March U

Doctor D. Miller. Entomologist at Cawtlnon (Institute, has been selected to represent the Government at the Imperial Entomological Conference to he held in London in Alay next.