BRIEF ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 120, 18 February 1928, Page 10

BRIEF ITEMS

FROM FAR AND NEAR Immigrants Sail for Dominion.—The Remuera has sailed for New Zealand, carrying 122 assisted migrants, states a Press Association message from London. “Arcos” Leaving Constantinople.— Arcos, ostensibly for economic reasons, is closing down shortly, relinquishing its business to a Russian trade delegation, states a Press Association message from Constantinople.

Many Deaths on Steamer.—Sixteen Filipinos died of pneumonia aboard the steamer President Cleveland, which arrived at Honolulu on Thursday from Manila. There are fifteen other pneumonia cases and one of smallpox among 500 Filipinos en route to work in the Hawaiian sugar fields. —A.l’.A. and “Sun.”

Sale of American Ships.—The_ Senate Commerce Committee (states a Washington message) has agreed cot to interfere with the proposed tale cf the Pacific Lines by the Shipping Imard. According to officials of tlie latter, tliis decision makes virtually certain the sale of the lines to the highest bidders.—Press Assn.

Accident at Sawmill.—A painful accident befel Fergus C. Shaw, a married man. aged 43, at Bartholomew’s Timber Company’s mill on Thursday, states a Press Association message from Hamilton. While feeding a circular saw his left hand slipped and was partially amputated above the knuckles.

The Unemployment Problem.—When the unemployment question was under discussion at a meeting of tlie council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the president (Mr. C. M. Bowden) said that business men might be able to offer suggestions which would receive the consideration of the council and recommendation to the Government.

A Serious Charge.—The arrest was made yesterday (states a Press Association message from Hamilton) of Charles Henry Bustin, aged 36, single, a well-known" grocer, who was charged witli alleged attempted indecent assault against a fourteen-year-old boy. A remand was granted till February 22. The Magistrate refused bail. Detective Cullotty stated that five other charges would probably be preferred.

Cruelty to a Horse.—A reserved judgment was given by Mr. Tate, S.M., at New Plymouth yesterday in a case in which P. B. Sole, W. Theobald and Jack Kopu were charged with cruelty to a horse. The evidence disclosed that the horse was driven by defendants while it was suffering with a broken shoulder. Sole was fined Xl5 and costs, Theobald <£lo and costs, and Kopu was convicted and ordered to pay, costs.—Press Assn.

Methodist Conference Opened.—The sixteenth annual conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand opened at Christchurch last evening, the president (Rev. W. J. Elliott, of Auckland) delivering the presidential address. Air. J. W. Shackleford (Auckland) was elected vice-president for 1928, and the Rev. J. F. Goldie (one of the Solomon Islands missionaries) president for 1929.—Press Assn.

Hutt Road Accident.—The condition of Alri Josephine Burns and Mrs. Isobel Smith, who were both injured in a. motor smash on the Hutt Road on Thursday night, was reported bv.the hospital authorities to be quite satisfactory late last night. Robert Spencer, another victim cf the ’accident, will bo able to leave hospital to-day, while the condition of William Armstrong, the driver of the car, is reported to be satisfactory.

National Industrial Conference.— When reference was made to the forthcoming National Industrial Conference at a meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber cf Commerce, it was reported that the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce had been invited to send two delegates. Ono of these will be Air. D. J. McGowan, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and a further representative will be selected later. It was remarked that the constitution of the conference tended to be unwieldly, but it was hoped that good would result, as the various interests to be represented were already amassing information to bring before the conference.

Business Delegation to Islands.—At the last meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce it was reported that the Government motorship Maui Pomare had not yet left Great Britain, and it was not possible to state definitely the date when the vessel would proceed to the Islands from New Zealand. The date, of departure would probably bo early in May, and the vessel would be away from New Zealand the best part of a month. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce had nominated Mr. A. Fletcher as one of its representatives upon the delegation to the Islands, and, a further representative would be appointed later. Meantime, members would be communicated with, so that a full list might be before the council of these available to make the trip. Record Price for Rams.—lt was reported yesterday that a sale had been effected at a record price for New Zealand by Mr. A. Matthews (Waiorongomai) of a Romney rani to Mr. A. Galt, of Mavis Bank (Mataura). The rani is a son of the ram which was sold last year by Mr. Matthews for 500 guineas to Mr. W. R’. Glasson (New South Wales), and which won the grand championship at the last Sydney Royal Show. The acfitual price paid bv Mr. Galt was not disclosed, but the firm effeetiig the sale (Wright, Stephenson and CoJ, stated that it is a fresh record for New Zealand. The rani is to be exhibited at all leading South Island shows. —Press Assn. Search for Rock.—The minesweeper Whakakura, which left Auckland on Saturday evening with H.M.S. Laburnum and H.M.S. Veronica to search for a submerged rock which the Federal liner Northumberland struck in January last year, returned to Auckland yesterday 'afternoon, having swept au area of six square miles off the northern extremity of. Poverty Bay. where the accident occurred. An official report has been forwarded to the Marine Department. It is understood that an exhaustive search failed to reveal the presence of any submerged object in the area swept. The ships operated at a depth of 12 fathoms, approximately twice the depth of water that the Northumberland would ordinarily draw. The stoops proceeded south in, continuance of their southern cruis> upon completion of the work. —Special Service.