DOMINION ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1931, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS

HAWKE’S BAY DROUGHT.. RAILWAY CONCESSION. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON. February 21. On production of a certificate signed by an officer of the Department of Agriculture, bay, straw in bales, chaff, turnips, mangolds, and green fodder, purchased by bona fide farmers and to be used exclusively by the consignee for keeping alive stock starving bv reason of the drought in Hawke’s Bay district will be carried at half the classified rates from stations on the North Island main line and branches to stations between Dannevirke and Napier inclusive. Hawke’s Bay, always a dry province between the stations mentioned at this time of the year, has experienced a particularly dry season, and stock has been selling at very low prices.

DRUNKEN DRIVER. WELLINGTON, February 23. As a result of liquoring with a prospective buyer, Mount-ford Samuel Wilson, 35, was fined £lO, to-day, for being intoxicated while in charge or a car, He had his driving license cancelled for a year, and was ordered to pay 21s medical expenses. CHINESE FINED £IOO. AUCKLAND, February 2/5. The maximum sentence was impos* ed on a Chinese gardener, Ah Louie, 35, for entering New Zealand without a permit. The Collector of Customs said Ah Louie was not his correct name. He arrived under another name in 1929 and left after nine months for China, and returned to the Dominion with papers of the real Ah Louie, who had died on the way to China. He had substituted Alt Louie’s photo and thumb prints by bis own, and so gained admission. The Collector asked for a heavy penalty. Magistrate Woodward said this sort of thing must be stopped. He was fined £10(J (or twelve months), and deportation. ARAPUNI.

STEADY PROGRESS MADE. HAMILTON, February 22. Steady progress is being made with the remedial measures at the Arapuni bvdro-eleetric works. hour hundred men are now engaged upon v arious tasks preparatory to the great concrete undertaking. At the power-house preparations are being made for the installation of a fourth unit to provide an additional 15,000 kilowatts.

MAN KNIFFED, A WOMAN ARRESTED, AUCKLAND, February 21. Arrested in Newtorpnt an early hour this morning. Viola Phyllis Beehre, aged twenty-nine years, Inter appeared at the Police Court charged with assaulting Joseph Billings so as to cause actual bodily harm. In obtaining a remand until March 2. Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that Billings was in hospital suffering with a knife wound near one of his eyes, alleged to have been inflicted with a knife bv accused. It was not yet known whether Billings would lose the sight of the eye. “I must say accused had very great provocation,” said Mr Ackins, who appeared for accused and asked for bail. She was admitted to bail in two sureties of £SO.

OILFIELD REPORT. GISBORNE, .February 24. The Taranaki oil report:—Waitangi No. I well, progress was delayed by easing about 1,040 feet, accompanied by considerable amount of gas. Pumped mud into formation, after which ran 240 hags of cement through tubing to 1.020 feet. Gas not shut off. Will resume operations at end of March. EXCHANGE WITH N.Z. RATE READJUSTED. WELLINGTON, February 23. An important adjustment in exchange rates between New Zealand and Australia is announced by the Associated Banks, trading in New Zealand, as from to-day, the following will he the rate : Buying, per £IOO, New Zealand £ll3 12s Pd, with right to concede down to £lO5 for a genuine trade transaction. Selling, per £IOO. New Zealand 0101 10s. No concessions. TEN PER CENT. REDUCTION. BY DRAPERS AND RETAILERS. CHRISTCHURCH, February 24. Following the lead of the Government. the drapers and boot retailers of Christchurch have unanimously decid'd to reduce salaries of all members of their staffs, who are not under the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court by ten per cent, as from March Ist. and to bring all employees covered by awards down to the award rate, in cases where they are receiving in excess of that amount. By this means it is proposed to make a further immediate reduction in the cost of living and to avoid the necessity of further dismissals and the rationing of work.