DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1931, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

“ECONOMY GONE MAD.” [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, April 22. “Economy gone mad” was how the Fire Board members described the Government’s notification that its contribution to Fire Boards would be reduced by 10 per cent. It was euiitenMed that the Act stipulated that the amount to be contributed annually, and that there was no legality in this step, which was the all the more hard since the hoards estimate had just heb’i approved. It was resolved to seek cooperation of other hoards in a protest, asking the Government h.v what authority it amended the Act. NAPIER AIRPORT. NAPIER, April tc. At a meeting of the Napier Aero Club last night, it; was decided to take steps to form a municipal aerodrome and airport. ENGINEER FOR NAPJER. NAPIER. April 22. R. H. Climie, consulting engineer of Wellington, has been appointed Napier Borough Engineer from 52 applicants. Climie has had 13 years experience in municipal work notably sewerage and drainage, ami 8 years with various electric power hoards. He installed Hustings and Havelock North 'wafer and drainage systems. NATIONAL BANK DIVIDEND. WELLINGTON. April 22. The National Bank of New Zealand is advised bv the National Bank oi Australasia that it will nay a dividend of eight per cent, on both classes of shares. The reserve fund is increased to three million three hundred. A GUIDE SQUABBLE. TIAWERA, April 22. Following the demand ol the New Zealand Guide Commissioner, for the surrender ol a Captain’s commission without explanation being given, the Chief Commissioner at a meeting here on Saturday disbanded the local executive. Ranger and Guide Captains and companies subsequently resigned as a protest against the action of the Chief Commissioner. Yesterday evening a mass meeting of mothers and guide haulers resolutioned. supporting the Hawera Executive. and calling on the Chief Commissioner to reinstate the executive and officers.

A CHIU) KILLED. WAIHL April 22. A distressing accident octurml on Wriihi-Raeroa main road ytMSferdny oven inn I’esultiug in the death of Edna ,Jonn. a six-year-old daughter of .1. 1L Buekeridge, a Waikino resident. While the Waihi-Paeroa transport motor bus filled with workmen was returning to their homes at W aihi it suddenly met the child, wlm had just emerged on a run from a hillside track on to the road. The driver, Foster, who had just turned a bend in the road, failed to see the child and in a twinkling the heavy vehicle was over the child, who was terribly injured and succumbed a few hours later at W aihi hospital. MAYORALTY. DANXEVIRKE. April 22. Marcus Smith has been re-elected Mayor. SHOOTING ACCI DENT TH Kl'iTl. April 22. In the bush near Te Anga yesterday afternoon about five o’clock a Maori youth named. Huhi iuapeki, oul with a party pig shooting, fell on his shotgun discharging a shot into his abdomen. One mate went for aid which arrived at 2 o’clock this morning. Tuapeki was brought to Te Anga in the dark and on to r l e Kuiti by car this morning and taken to the hospital where he was operated on. His condition is serious. AN AWARD, WELLINGTON, April 22. New Zealand marine cooks, stewards, coastal shipping companies award lias been filled. With a few exceptions it is based on terms of the expired award. The following are the minimum rates of pay per month—Chief stewards, chief conks, cook, steward, with assistant. or assistants Cl6/4/-; cook steward where no assistant is employed CIS 4/-. Chief stewards or chief cooks employed on vessels to carry twenty or more passengers, an extra Cl. Assistant. cooks and stewards £l2/4/-. cadets to £lO/In -, stewardesses £B/16/-. A RUMOUR DENIED. WELLINGTON. April 22. Hon. Taverner has definitely denied a rumour of a horse power tax on motor vehicles, saying he did not know where it originated, the matter having never been considered b.v the Government. LABOUR. CANDIDATE. WELLINGTON. April 22. The Labour Party definitely contests Hauraki seat. Its candidate is C. R. Petrie,