DOMINION NEWS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 July 1925, Page 9

DOMINION NEWS.

GISBORNE OIL FIELD. (BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) GISBORNE, July 10. It is reported that the Taranaki Oil Wells, Ltd., lias assumed a controlling interest in the Gisborne Oil Proprietary, which has recently been investigating the possibilities of petroleum development in this district, and geologists will come to Gisborne from Taranaki for detailed survey work. In the meantime the geologists already here have been hampered by bad weather. HOUSING AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Juy 10. The City Council discussed a report by its bousing committee, based on an inspection of what had been done in other localities. The committee . had ascertained that the Government would not advance money for housing schemes under 10 per cent-., and recommended the raising of a loan in New Zealand or England of £50,000 at a maximum of 51 per cent. Plans were prepared of five-roomed houses at £BOO each, payment for which would • be 28s per week. It was suggested that as the council had about 220 acres of laud in various blocks, some should be sold to provide money for building, but it was found that most of it belonged to antecedent liabilities, and the money would have to go back to .loan accounts. The council adopted the report, except the loan clause, which was sent back to the committee.UNIVERSAL TRAM FARES. WELLINGTON, July 10. After a lengthy debate, the council decided to adopt a universal tram fare of threepence per medium or twelvetrip ticket, the present fare to remain for one-trip ride. FARM MANAGER TRANSFERRED. HAMILTON, July 10. Mr A. W. Green, manager of Ruakura State Farm, has received notice of transfer to Hawke’s Bay. Mr Green has been at Ruakura for 18 years, and leaves there on the 18th.

RECKLESS DRIVER FINED. - THAMES, July 10. Joe was charged with reckless driving on a country road. While returning home from Paeroa races he attempted to pass another car while travelling at a. high speed, causing both cars to capsize into an open ditch, injuring several persons. He was fined £2O with costs, and an order was issued that he was not.to be granted a driver’s license for two years. FIRE AT INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGILL, July 10. A fire occurred at 3 o’clock this morning in Wright Stephenson’s extensive brick grain sitore in Tweed Street, containing a large quantity of oats, etc. The brigade was hampered by poor water pressure, but succeeded in confining the flames to the grain department, the larger stores, including the manures department, being undamaged. The property was fully covered by insurance, of which particulars are not available. LEFT WITHOUT PERMISSION. CHRISTCHURCH, July 10. Charles Jackson was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on a charge of having left New Zealand without permission within one year of the making of an affiliation order against him. SUPREME COURT SENTENCES.

WELLINGTON, July 10. At the Supreme Court, Judge Ostler passed the following sentences on prisoners who had pleaded guilty: Kenneth .Robert Wat Kins, four charges of false pretences, two years with Jiard labour ; Hyacinth Frances Wisnewsky, for theft as a servant, probation for one year; Charles Corbett, for breaking and entering and theft, probation for one year; Herbert Harris Keith, a lad of Id, for breaking, entering and theft, was sent to the Borstal Institution for three years; . George Hurley, for theft, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment; William Percy Joyce, for obliterating documents and forgery, was admitted to probation for two years; Berty Sharkey, for escaping from gaol, for theft and indecent assault, and attempted carnal knowledge, wa s sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on the more serious charge, and of three months’ imprisonment for escaping, and a year on the other charges.

DEATH OF WELL-KNOWN MAORI

WANGANUI, July 10. A Maori named Sam We on, a wellknown resident of • \Vangaheu, was drowned at the Town Wharf at noon to-day. He went to look over and tripped, and possibly struck his head in falling. A watersider named Frank O’Keefe dived in and brought the body to the landing stage. Deceased went on a world tour with the Ratana party. MARAROA OBJECTED TO. WELLINGTON, July 10. A deputation consisting of practically yll the- South Island members of Parliament waited on the Minister for Marine this morning to complain about the condition of the ferry steamer Mararoa, and to ask that representations be made to the Union Company for her to be replaced by a more up-to-date steamer. In reply, the Minister read a report, which represented the vessel as “in first-class condition in every • sense.” He promised to consult the management of the company with a view to having the members’ request given effect to.

Disastrous results to Gisborne harbour have followed the continued wet weather of last week, and the port is now in a worse' condition than at any time in. its history, despite the fact that thousands of pounds were spent last year in dredging out the river. The scheme for the diversion, of the river will be put back many months as a result of the latest catastrophe, and the position is worse owing to the fact that the dredge lately brought from Australia has been out of commission for some time and is now silted up, together with its barges. The river commenced silting up last week, and _in places silted up eleven feet, there being now only two feet of water at low tide, where formerly there was a channel of thirteen feet.' As the channel in most places is only three feet in depth, no boat drawing more than eight feet can work the port, even at high tide. It is now only possible to work the boats in the bay'during high tide.