DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 January 1931, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

[per press association.] H.M.S. DUNEDIN’S MISHAP. AUCKLAND, January 23. When leaving Calliope Dock, H.M.S. Dunedin, flagship of the New Zealuful Division of the Royal Navy, fouled the side of the entrance gates, breaking one of her propeller blades. The damage is not serious, but it is possible that another blade will have to be fitted, in order to prepare the warship for her coming cruise to England.

BEACH TRAGEDY. WELLINGTON, January. 23. At the inquest held at Otaki into the deaths of S. A. Longuet and Theresa Burton, who lost their lives by drowning at Otaki Beach yestei - day, Coroner Harper, after hearing the evidence of a number of witnesses, ieturned a verdict of accidental death by drowning. He said it was regrettable that there was no life line on the beach. FARM COSTS. DANNEVIRKE, January 23. About 50 farmers held a meeting under the auspices of the Farmers Union and discussed in camera various aspects of the economic position. The following motion moved by R. S. Chadwick, and seconded by H. B. Stuckey was carried unanimously: “That the Dominion, in an endeavour to reduce farming costs by reorganising every avenue of production, manufacture and distribution, through which farm produce passes; and that rationalisation methods be employed in such industries as dairying, freezing, the sale, and handling of stock, and wool classification.” TRIPLE BURGLARY. WAIPUKURAU, January 24. A triple burglary, characterised by the coolest audacity, was perpetrated during the hours of darkness, when a Baby Austin Sedan, valued at £2lO, was stolen from Turner and Butler’s garage-showroom, also three pounds in cash from the till in the office. Goods and clothing to the value of twelve pounds were taken from Baird’s, drapers, and ten shillings from Frank Boyle’s garage, when an attempt was also made unsuccessfully to obtain petrol from the bowser. The thief hiade a clean getaway in the, sedan. In each instance the burglar gained entrance by forcing the Yale locks on the doors,, with a jemmy, the marks ot which are discernible.

ILLICIT STILL.. INVERCARGILL, January 23. Convicted in the Police Court of being in possession of an unlicensed still and also of assisting in the unlawful manufacture of spirits, Michael Francis Flynn, a farmer at Ferndale, Mataura, was fined £250 on the first charge and £lOO on the second, in default six months’ imprisonment. The collector of Customs stated that a raiding party found the apparatus and liquor wheih would distil fiftythree. gallons of proof spirit on accused’s farm. The duty on this would be £lll. Counsel for the accused said that defendant had hoped to supplement his income by whisky. He had lost £3OO on the farm. The collector of Customs replied that he was informed that the accused had bought a new car and ran racehorses. INSPECTOR’S THEFT. INVERCARGILL, January 23. In the Police Court to-day, Thomas Newton Kitchener Sommerville, an inspector for the British Traders’ Insurance company, pleaded guilty to failure to account for the sum of £430 8/to the company, and was committed for sentence at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed in £lOO.

The evidence showed that accused was employed for four years as inspector’ at Timaru and Invercargill. On December 19 he telephoned to the Dunedin manager, asking him to accept his resignation, and in reply to a question, stated that a shortage in his cash was due principally to extra expense on account of his wife’s illness. When arrested, accused made a statement to a detective admitting the offences, and stating that prior to his wife’s illness his accounts were all in order. Portions of the amounts received subsequently were used to meet expenses. TOURIST TRAFFIC. WELLINGTON, January 22. Increased efforts are being made by the Government to capture tourist traffic from abroad, according to a statement by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Publicity, and Tourists, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, to-day. A new system has been adopted this year for encouraging visitors from overseas, and it is reported that good results already are beingachieved. The Minister said that in spite of the depression in Australia the tourist traffic from that country was being maintained. This was particuwas expected that much would result from the new “follow up” system which had been adopted this year thoughout the world for the first time. Under this system, definite canvassing for tourists was carried out by special officers employed by the Government, and tourist traffic was not sought merely through the medium of advertising and the circulation of informative booklets. The tourist agents now got into direct touch with prospective travellers, supplied them with information concerning the Dominion, and made complete arrangements for their tours.