BRIEF ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 188, 11 May 1928, Page 10

BRIEF ITEMS

FROM FAR AND NEAR Empire Day.—According to a Gazette notice, Empire Day will be celebrated on Monday, June 4, in conjunction with the anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty the King, and the day will be observed as a public holiday in the Government offices throughout the Dominion.

Painter Injured.—As a result of falling from a ladder at 31 Marama Crescent, shortly after 8 o’clock yesterday morning, J. Dansby, a painter, of 68b Lyall Bay Parade, suffered a severe scalp woimd, concussion, and injury to his back. After being attended to by the Free Ambulance he was removed to the Public Hospital.

Carillon Street Day.—The City Council gave permission last night for a “Carillon” street collection day, on June 8, on the application of the Wellington War Jlemorial Carillon Society. x

Width of Vehicles.—The City Council decided last night that no further action be taken to restrict the width of vehicles using the city streets, as the Jlotor Omnibus Traffic Act and the heavy traffic by-law restrict the width of vehicles to 8 feet.

Access Commission.—ln reply to _ a question as to when the Access Commission was to report, the Mayor stated at the City Council meeting last night that all he could say was that it had been promised at an early date.

Captain Lowenstein at Ottawa.—Secrecy surrounds the visit to Ottawa of Captain Alfred Lowenstein, the Belgian capitalist. An Australian Press Association message states that he was to dine privately with the Canadian Premier, Mr. Jlackenzie King.

Canadian Currency in United States.— An Australian Press Association message from Ottawa, says that steps have been taken at Washington by the State Department to enure the acceptance of Canadian currency in all centres of the United States. At present many places regard the Canadian dollar as of no more value that Russian paper.

Sydney City Council Affairs.—A further step in the investigation of the affairs of the Sydney City Council during the Labour regime was taken when Jlr. Justice Harvey was appointed Royal Commissioner to inquire into a contract between the City Council and Messrs, Babcock and Wilcox, Limited for steamraising plant for the new Bunnerrong power station. —Press Assn.

English Students to Tour Dominions, —The Overseas Settlement in co-operation with the Dominions Governments and shipping companies, has arranged for a party of university men and public schoolboys to tour the Dominions, including New Zealand and Australia, states an Australian Press Association message from London.

Strychnine mistaken for Quinine.— A married woman at Parkes, New Soutl Wales, named Cross, died as the result; of poisoning. A doctor informed thi police that he had been mixing a tonic fot Mrs. Cross, and had indavertently use< an overdose of strychnine in mistake foi quinine, which is similar in powder form. The police are holding-an inquiry.—Pres Assn.

Burnham. Wharf.—Burnham Wharf which was erected by the Wellingtoi Harbour Board for oil discharge, hai been leased to the Shell Company for s period of seven years. Intended only foi the handling of oil,, the wharf is surrounded by high fences, so that the whole can be locked up ■when not working, and the public for safety -reasons, are not admitted.

Native and Pakeha.—W’hile addressing the Rating Commission at Otaki yesterday on the subject of native lands, Jlr. G. I*. Shepherd said that the natives could seldom give any definite information offhand regarding their possessions. “The natives are rather spoiled,” he said, “for if they want to know anything about their subdivisions all they have to do is to go to the Native Land Court and get their information. The poor pakeha has to pay good money to his solicitor to obtain his information.”

Bribery Allegations.—According to a Press Association message from Sydney Jlr. P. Coleman, JI.P., repudiates Mr. G. Cann’s statement associating him with an offer of monetary consideration to provide a safe Federal seat for Jlr. E. G. Theodore. Jlr. Coleman declares that Jlr. Cann is untruthful. He suspected that Jlr. Cann intended to oppose him (Coleman) at the next Federal election.

Woman Kilis Herself at Seventh Attempt.—A United Service message from Paris states that at the seventh attempt,' Jladame Pochard, heartbroken at her husband’s death, succeeded in committing suicide at Provin. She tried twice to. hang herself, but was. cut down. She then twice tried poison, but recovered. Next she jumped into a river, but was rescued.' Then she jumped from a window and fell upon a woman, whom she nearly killed, while she herself was merely bruised. Finally, she locked herself in a room and hanged herself with the same rope as before.

’ New Photography.—A new company is, the “Daily Mail” (London) understands, is about to be formed with a capital of £1,800,000 in ss. shares, to take over various interests in an ingenious contrivance which automatically takes and develops portraits in eight positions, and is in operation at certain stores in London. The new company is to be called the Pliotomaton Parent Corporation, Limited ,and among the assets to be required is a big interest in the American company called Pliotomaton Incorporated, which has developed the invention in the United States.