DOMINION NEWS.

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

DOMINION NEWS.

(by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WAIROA, Dec. 10.

Wairoa has been experiencing oppressively hot weather during the last few days. Yesterday the thermometer registered 92 in the shade during the afternoon. A CRUEL HOAX. WAIROA, Dec. 10. An alleged note from the lost steamer Ripple reached Sergeant Wade last night, who handed it to the local manager of the Richardson Company. A comparison of the note with a specimen of Nielson’s writing in the office records clearly proves the whole thing to be a cruel hoax, the product of a« person with a perverted sense of humour. The name was spelt wrongly, and the writing was quite different in character. WHEATGROWEILS DISSATISFIED. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 10. The announcement by the Minister of Agriculture that the Government has decided to fix the prices of wheat for the coming season at 6s sd, 6s 7d and 6s 9d has caused concern to wheatgrowers in Canterbury. As a result of representations made to it on behalf of the growers, who stand to lose a good deal under the Government’s scheme, the A. and P. Association has convened a meeting of growers. for •Wednesday next. At this meeting the whole question will be discussed and representations made to the Government.

A GENEROUS GIFT.

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 10

An anonymous donor who some months ago gave £750 to the Canterbury patriotic fund has made another donation of £250, which the Patriotic Committee has allocated to soldiers in hospital and sanatoria. AUSTRALIAN FRUIT CONDEMNED WELLINGTON, Dec. 10. The Horticultural Department has been busy inspecting and condemning fruit ifronil Australia, on account of fruit fly, grey scab and sooty mould. The Department lias cabled to the shippers and an alteration will ibe made. It appears that at one time firui.t was shipped under a certificate with the name of the orchard. This was altered, hut the Department warned the shippers if fly was found, it would mean condemnation and this is what lias now happened. ART UNIONS. WELLINGTON, Dec. 10. The Hon. R. F. Bollard states that though art unions have been curtailed, they still want watching, and legislation may be introduced next session. For one thing balance-sheets must be submitted, and the. broadcasting of tickets by posting them and requesting recipients to sell them must be stopped. CHARGES REPUDIATED. WELLINGTON, Dec. 10. Mr. McCallum, chairman of the Victoria College Council, took the occasion, when retiring from the chair, to repudiate a charge against the Council of encouraging socialism and communism. On the contrary, lie said, he wished to express his high appreciation of the management. It welcomed freedom of speech in debate among the students, but anything tending to a breach of their high duty as citizens they objected to and reprobated. Prof. Hunter remarked that similar things were said about almost every university and the exceptions w 7 ere dead universities. NATIONAL! BANK’IS DIVIDEND. WELLINGTON, ec. 10. The National Bank has received notice from London that the directors have declared an interim dividend tor the half-year at the rate of 12 per cent, per annum, which will be paid in the Dominion on January 6. WATMAKARIRI RISING. CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 10 1 Reports from Bealey this morning state that the Waimakariri is rising. Heavy rain is sti’l falling m the upper reaches of the river. EXTENSIVE WASHOUT. GREYMOUTH, Dec 10. A washout on the railway line between Aickens and Otira. is rlieady five chains in extent, and is still s.ipuing. The express passengers wnl have to leave the train and walk to Otira (half a mile). Only hand luggage wid be accented on the train.