NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 231, 12 September 1922, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

NEWS FROM VARIOUS CENTRES. The Opotiki Chamber of Commerce has passed a resolution in favour of Opotiki being included in the new Poverty Bay land district, with a view to expediting the transaction of land business and land settlement. Representations to the Government have been made by a farmers’ association at Opotiki, and the Chamber of Commerce, with the object of hastening the coinpietition of the Taneatua-Opoti-ki section of the East Coast line. The Tourist Department is being requested by the Opotiki Chamber of Commerce to advertise the scenery on the Opotiki-Motu road, which is described by visitors from abroad as the finest they have ever seen. At a largely-attended meeting in Invercargill of dairy company directors and others, it was resolved:—“That the present methods of dealing with dairy produce being unsatisfactory and not in the best interests of the producers of the Dominion, this meeting, representative of the dairy producers of Southland, is of opinion that some measure of control that will co-ordin-ate shipping and marketing is desirable, and authorises the delegates to a conference to support such motion as will promote legislation giving a measure of control after the nature of the Meat Control Board.” Between 200 and 300 natives are expected to gather at Parikino on the Wanganui river next week. The gathering will extend over four days, a Rugby football tournament, in which six Maori teams are competing, being the day feature, while the evenings will be devoted to dances, concerts and political speeches in connection with the canditure of Ratana’s son. The Lower Wanganui river natives deny the recent statement in regard to destitution amongst the Maoris, and say that it is confined to one settlement higher up the river. Owing to some misunderstanding a considerable number of candidates forwarded their notices of intention to sit at this year’s university exams too late. After considering -the matter the recess committo has decided to accept entries up to September 22 upon payment of the late fee prescribed by the regulation in such cases. The Gisborne Supreme Court has opened, Judge Chapman presiding. True bills were returned in all cases, including one in which George Monkhouse is charged with the attempted murder of William Campbell. Some months ago the Lower Hutt Borough Council reversed its policy under which the new gas works were to be built. The question was intensively debated and determined at the Mayoral election. To-day Albert Ford, consulting engineer, who drew up the scheme for the works, proceeded against the council for £975, as payment due under the alleged contract by way of commission on the works ,and £lOOO damages. The defence was that the contract was not binding in law', and that Ford had never prepared complete plans and specifications. The first contention was not relied upon, and liability was admitted to the extent of £3OO, which was paid into court.