DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 May 1936, Page 8

DOMINION ITEMS

[PJEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] TRANSPORT BILL. WELLINGTON, May 9. It was stated, to-day, that the Transport Bill probably will be introduced into the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon. SAFE STOLEN. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 10. A safe containing about £3O in cash was stolen from the premises of E. R. Looney, wood and coal merchant, of FJtzrqy, ealrly yesterday. The safe was found burst open on the beach, with the contents missing. JAP. AGRICULTURIST. WELLINGTON, May 11. Kaisaturo Sakamaki, a prominent agriculturist, arrived by the Makura on official business for the Korean Government. He is to study farming conditions and agricultural research, and_will travel through the Dominion and visit Massey and Lincoln Colleges. He is interested in all livestock, but particularly sheep. He said that there were 50,000 sheep in Japan. They were in poor.condition.

CHINESE GAMBLERS. WELLINGTON, May 9. Police raids on three houses in Taranaki Street yesterday, resulted in the appearance before Mr Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, today, of three Chinese, on charges of using the premises, of which they were in occupation, as common gaming houses, and of seven Europeans, on charges of being found without lawful excuse on these premises. The Chinese defendants were each fined £lO. Of the seven white men found on the premises, six were fined £1 each, and the seventh 10/-.

CH.CHJ. RAID CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. As the result of a raid by detectives this morning Donald Knight appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, charged with keeping premises in Chancery Lane as a common gaming house. He was fined £2O by Mr. E. C. Levvey. S.M. The raid was carried out by Detectives J. McClung and J. J. Halcrow. Detective McClung prosecuted and said that Knight had not been in trouble before. Knight had previously been employed by a commercial firm in the city, but lost his position because of the depression. Betting slips showing transactions amounting to £l5 were found in Knight’s office.

PAHIATUA FIRE. PAHIATUA, May 11. Fire this morning, destroyed the entire block of buildings owned by the Pringle estate, occupied by A. D. Bauckam, grocer, F. W. Pullyn, dentist A E, South, baker, and E. E. Etz’ tailor. The efforts of the brigade were hopeless, due to inadequate water pressure. They were extremely fortunate to be able to save from destruction the at the rear and side, owned by Pringles furniture factory and Cittadini’s auction mart respectively. Insurances were: Building (New Zealand and Guardian) £540 each. Bauckam is a heavy loser. He took stock last month, and in consequence decided to increase the cover of £6OO, but did not complete the proposal. This amount was burnt in the fire.

4 EAST COAST RAILWAY. WELLINGTON, May 9. The announcement of plans for the immediate resumption of the construction work on the Napier-Gis-borne Railway, has caused some concern in Gisborne, owing to the possibility that the section from Napier to Wairoa, only would be the first work taken in hand. The Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, stated this morning that the whole of the line was being taken in hand, though it would be common sense to concentrate on the section to Wairoa, which could be brought to an operating stage. However, work will be simultaneously going on from Wairoa to Gisborne. The Minister added that as all of the gear had been sold, some gear was on order from England. Other equipment, which could only be obtained quickly from America, was also on order. WOMEN IN HOTELS.

AUCKLAND, May 9. A remark that there seemed to He something wrong with the licensing affairs of the city if such women could haunt hotel lounges, was made by_Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when Eunice O’Brien, aged 31. appeared for sentence on a charge of stealing £1 5/-, belonging to James Meikle. Evidence was given by Meikle that he met the accused in a city hotel and went to her room, where the money was stolen. Accused was convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence within twelve months. “If you don’t behave yourself,” said the Magistrate, “you will be brought here again, and I’ll put you away.”

Replying to the Magistrate’s remark, Sub-Inspector Fox said: “Yes: it does seem tb indicate some lack of control, but it is not altogether new.”