DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1931, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

DUNEDIN RETURNS.

(.By Telegraph—Per .Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, Jan. 1

A striking feature of the returns of the Registrar for Dunedin aid district for. 1930 is that the number of marriages is nearly ltlO below those recorded during 1929, the large decrease probably being a reltex of the Ocoiionic i depression. The largest number of marriages in recent years was in 1920 just after the war, when Of' were recorded us compared with slightly over 700 during each year until 1929, when the number increased to 800. This year, however, the number went, down to 709.

There were slightly more- births during this year as compared with last year and fewer deaths. Following are the figures for 1929 and 1930:— Births 1505, 1530. deaths 10CQ, 965; marriages 800, 709. During last year 120 marriages took place : n the registry office as compared witii 119 during 1929.

STAFF R KTRENCHUEXT. DUNEDIN, Dec. 31

An unpleasant. ChH.-t.mais- bo/ mr c tx members of the staff'of an uUbestabiislted firm trailing ill woof iiud shins was the ifltimat'dll, regretful] V blade, that their service would not be required at New -Xcar owing to the slump. In some slock 'tm! station firms hints of reduction of wages, or, as an alternative, retrenchment, have teen given.

A YACHTING TRIP. WELLINGTON, .Tan 1

Wireless news has been m-eivtd that the Wellington yacht. Windward, arrived safely at the Chatham Islands, at 4 p.m., from Wellington, whence she sailed at nine o’clock on thrislmas morning. The message reported: “All well.” The crew of the Windward comprises Messrs H. P. Rollings, Colin Steele, Don Graham and A H Irwin The Wi id ward is the smallest yacht that lias made the trip -from ’Wellington to the Chathams. FIRE OUTBREAK. WELLINGTON, January 2. A fife broke out in a photographic workroom in the Victoria Buildings in Manners Street. It caused damage to the premises of the Regent Photoerraphic Studio which was gutted In A. E.' Donaldson’s a blind specialist, the contents were damaged by water. In Martin’s hoot store a portion .ot the stock was damaged by water. The building was a three storey wooden ancl brick .structure owned by Airs Whelan.