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Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1930, Page 4

Thk Government’s Unemployment Bill is now receiving final consideration by the Ministry, who are studying the effect of the many suggestions made by members during, the debate on the measure. It does not appear likely that many material alterations will be made. The Government desire the bill, and the Labour party will accept it in lieu of something more drastic. The Treasury ha.s objected to a graduated tax in place of a flat poll tax on account of the difficulties in collection. and the flat rate may he adopted for the first year at all events. There is also the suggestion to include women in the taxation scheme. The Government does not favour this, but rather than lose the whole bill might sacrifice their wishes in the matter. The poll tax is considered by many an unequal levy, aiid hence there is the desire, for the graduated tax which would necessarily be intricate in collection The levy is, of course, designed as an insurance against unemployment, by assisting to provide money to be used in work or relief for those at the moment out of work, The main idea is to provide or find work rather than pay a sustenance rate, and if that can he achieved the levy proposed of thirty shillings for males can hardly be deemed exorbitant. More money has to be provided for the relief of unemployment, borrowing now being out of the question—which is a good thing for the national credit. At present very large sums are spent in relief, and there should be some saving in that direction under the provisions of the bill. The policy is a sound one —to replace the oresent haphazard system with something tangible and reliable, and not subject to the fluctuation of the funds from time to time. There will be objections always to legislation of the character proposed, but unemployment is a world problem, and each country must devise means through pressure of events to meet its req.uireme.ints as best it can. The Government is thus performing a simple duty. Whatever stens are taken call for money, and this must be provided in the main by taxation seeing that other channels are for the time exhausted. The national levy will help to bring home to the people as a whole their duty and obligations in the matter. Steps had to he taken, and the Government is to he complimented for undertaking the task by providing machinery with ways and means to operate same, for what it is hoped will be the substantial relief of the unemployment problem.

New Spring hats opened to-day at Addisons. Inspection invited.—Advt.

Will all who kindly promised refreshments for the Hospital Ball please send same to the Soldiers’ Hall, Sewell St. to-miorrow Wednesday afternoon between 2.30 and 4.30 o’clock.

‘.Two voting men on holiday here, traversed the Toaroha branch of the Hokitika river last week, reaching as far as the hot springs. They encountered, the bad weather and had a rough time but enjoyed their trip greatly; The old track to the springs lias disappeared entirely, and there is now a local desire to have the track reopened, a,s the locality is full of scenic, interest, while the springs are said to have curative properties. The visitors propose to visit the locality again, the recent trip having proved enjoyable, despite the wet encountered.

Patrons to the last Competitions' who had the .pleasure. of hearing Mr Barton Ginger give a couple of elocutionary items, will have no doubt about the quality of the recital to be given by that gentlemen at the Princess Theatre on Thursday week. Those who did not hear Mr Ginger on that occasion should not miss the present- opportunity, Versatile to a degree, Mr Ginger can hold an audience for hours without difficulty, He has a great; variety of subjects, light and gay being intermingled with grave and serious subjects. All will give pleasure, and we can safely recommend the recital as a treat that should not be missed, especially as the prices of seats are most reasonable.

A.t the inquest on the deaths of Charles Ayres and Edward We Idle, the victims of the Buffer Gorge, tunnel explosion, which was held before Mr E. R. Fox, Coroner, yesterday at Westport, evidence of identification was given and adjourned sine die. Mr A. L. Bascand appeared for the Public Works Department and Mr D. Sincock appeared for the New; Zealand Workers’ Union. Sergeant C. McGlonc conducted the case for. the police. Sergeant McGlone said that it would be at least a fortnight before Taylor would be able to attend the inquest. An inquest was later opened touching into the death of Thomas Corbett, and after evidence of identification, was also adjourned. Robert Taylor, the other man, who was injured in the explosion, passed a very rest 1 night on Sunday night. It is thought that it will be two weeks before he is fit to be discharged from the hospital.

At the Magistrate’s Court, G’rey- ' mouth' yesterday,. Patrick Jamieson, a miner, of Dunollie, on a charge of using indecent language was convicted and filled £1 and coats 26s Bd. Overindulgence 111 liqUpr (pi August ',.7thj„ by JohW Jiun.es Quinn ied to his appearance on three charges,; (1) .JJ&ngerotts driving; (2), failing to ti&japrfc,an accident; and (3) being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car.. Mr,. Meldrum, S.M, in giving* judgment, said he would take into consideration the fact that there was previously nothing against defendant, although he had been driving for several years. However, he could no overlook the fact that Quinn had been taking too much liquor while in charge of a car. When a man started to drive for long distances in a state of intoxication, he. was a menace to the travelling public. In this case, defendant appeared to have had more than one accident. On this occasion, bis license would not be, suspended, but he would be fined £lO, with 10s costs, on the charge of intoxication, and 10s with 10s costs, on the charge of not reporting the accident.

The main features of the super-struc-ture of the new dredge being built at Wellington for the Rimu Dredging Company Ltd. are two powerful gantries—one aft to support the digging ladder (133 ft. in length), which forms the track for the bucket chains, and one forward, from which the stacking ladder (14ft.) is worked. The latter contrivance is massive gear which relieves the hopper of the boulders, and allows only the dirt to go forward from the hopper to the twelve stepped-down gold-saving tables. Some idea of the dimensions of these great fittings can be formed, when it is stated that the digging ladder by itself will weigh. 50 tons, while the two “spud” anchors, great solid picks, which are lowered into the ground right aft, to keep the dredge in position, weigh 16 tons each. Nothing of the kind of such massive proportions has been made in New Zealand before, and the manner in which the work is being tackled is interesting everyone in the iron trade in Wellington, The foreman, Mr It. Wedderspoon, stated that the whole of the hull, and part of the superstructure, will be built in the Wakefield Street yards, after which it ‘ wilt dismantled, shipped away to Hokitika* in parts, and re-erected on the si'te’lJt-t the side of a big' pond to be scqo.ocd out by the dredge already. working the land, some three .miles from Hokitika. The construction in Wellington should be completed by the, end of '.December, and it is likely that the dredge will he working in April next. s * • * • . 1 i V f . Make' up something worth while this summer. We 'can show you excellent value in Fuji Silks, Wvonese and Art Silks also a great variety in dainty coloured laces, suitable for trimming same. Addisons. —Advt. : Whitebait are now making their apjpearnnee throughout the Coast. Patersons have just opened their new stock of whitebait netting, 80in. at Is lid ;nd 2s 6d yard. Be prepared for an early run.—Advt.

The funeral took place at Greymouth yesterday afternoon of the late Charles , Ayres, oiie of the three men killed on /t\.y Friday morning last by the gelignite ' explosion in the main tunnel of the railway works in the Buffer Gorge, near Hawk’s Crag. There was a large /A attendance of the friends of the de- / i ceased, including quite a number ot his workmates and other residents of the Buffer G'brge district. The Rev. Father Healey conducted the burial service.

Arrangements for the Hospital Ball in. the Soldiers’ Hall to-morrow night are now fully advanced and a. most sucessfu! gathering is assured. The management have directed that • the Grand March will commence at By3o p.m.i sharp and the programme will'at,* the: request of many patrons compriso a fair sprinkling of the old time dances. The Melody Six will supply ■ the latest popular dance music. The . extra dances during supper will be provided by Mr 11. T. Parry on his Parryphons, he having kindly offered same to the committee.

i The wedding took place at Holy Trinity Church, Greymouth, yesterday afternoon, of Stephen, eldest son of Mr and Mrs P. Tobin, of Reefton, to Rita, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs D. Joseph, of Greymouth. The Rev. G. i Barker, of Ahattra, officiated. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attended by Miss Mary. Coll aud Miss Nellie Tobin as .bridesmaids. Misses Elsie and Mavis Joseph attended as flower girls. Mr nnd Mrs Tobin later left for Hokitika and the Glaciers on their honeymoon. .

On Saturday night, about mid-night . a four-roomed dwelling owned by Mr, Samuel Perry at the Twelve Mile, was totally destroyed by fire. Mr. Perry was absent at the time of the fire, and Mrs Perry,is an inmate of '■ the- Hospital. At the time of the outbreak, two young men who were sleeping on the premises, lost most of* their belongings, whilst one had a. close call in getting away. Two other men who live in a liut a short distance away, and who had their meals at the house lost everything. They were at the Barry town ball at the time when the fire occurred. It ’ is not known whether the dwelling is insured. The reflections of the ,• ' flames could be seen in Greymouth.

At a meeting of the Greymouth Hospital Board Dr Moore presented a report that although the card system of allowing only two visitors at a patient’s bedside at once was an improvement on the former arrangements, it stiff seemed tco much, especially after .operation days, two , hours ■ of talking and' noise being exhausting for a patient just over an operation. He suggested the hours should be Sunday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, 2 to 3 j p.m., or 2.30 to 3.'30 p.m.,: and .7 to-rah 8 p.m., Thursday 2\to> 3 p.m., Saturdav 2 to 3 p.m.,'and 7 toB p.m. The numbers seenlfed to be steadily . increasing of those who asked permission 'tb vifeit at night, giving the eitouso that they were working all-day, etc., and if the hours suggested adopted all visiting, except of dangerous cases, could be stopped without anyone being inconvenienced. Members of the board also seemed dissatisfied with the card system. On sefleral •. ' occasions both cards had ‘been issued and no visitors had been, near the patient. The recommendation,.of the .•:■ Meclical Superintendent was adopted. . .>.,V . ... Every young man in Hokitika \ should have one of our stylish caps, ' Saturday last opportunity at ‘this price. To clear at 3s lid at M • H. Stopforth’s.— Advt.