DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1931, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

NOT A BOMBSHELL.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,)

WELLINGTON, Jamiarv 20.

Regarding the Dunedin R station closing, a "Dost'’ reporter learned today i lint stations which were wide awake have known of the position from the beginning, and in May last met to form an association of their own. The position appears to he that the B class stations of New Zealand have been required by the Australian Performing Rights Association to pay l'20() for the right to broadcast copyrighted items, hut these stations failed to come to an arrangement among themselves as to making this up on a quota basis. The Australian Performing Right Association's claim is not a bombshell. Certain conditions have been laid down and these have not been complied with. The way appears still to he open to a much more satisfastory settlement than could he hoped for from independent action.

RIFLE MEETING

WELLINGTON. Jamiarv 22

Wellington Rifle Association held its annual fixture in line weather at Tn ntham to-day. ('. .). Nix. of Fea-thei-ston Rifle Club, won the championship with a score of 229 out of a possible of 250. Disappointing entries were received, and practically lift.v per cent, of the competitors came from Wairarapa Clubs. Most of the prize money was taken home by Wairarapa marksmen.

FATAL IT V ON RAILWAY LINK

DUNEDIN, January 22

An old man, named Duncan MacPlierson, met his death to-day as the result of being struck by an engine at Tumai railway station. Tie was taken to Palmerston, and was treated by a doctor, but lie succumbed to bis injuries. The deceased, wlm was 78 years of age .was a widower, living with his (laughter at 'Tumai. An inquest will be held at Palmerston.

ARSON CHARLES

NAPIER. January 21

Samuel Hn/.lett, labourer, of Napier, appeared in the Police Court this afternoon, in answer to three charges ol arson. It was alleged that: he set lire to the grandstand at the Napier Park racecourse on December 21, 1930, the Convent School at Hastings on .January 1, 1931 and the Roman Catholic ( 1 lurch at Napier on January 3. Living evidence for the police, plain clothes Constable O'oddington read a statement signed by the accused when interviewed on January 3. in which he admitted having committed the crimes with which he had been charged. He said that lie had set the church buildings aligliL, so as" to bring before the puolie tin- fact that as lie had been toll! by a lawyer in Rotorua, lie was lighting the CathLlic Church and the police in the matter ol obtaining compensation for an accident suffered by him when working for the New Zealand Perpetual forests. Ltd., at Putaruru three years ago. • 'lter hearing the evidence for the prosecution, accused pleaded guilty to till three charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence.