DOMINION ITEMS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12257, 3 July 1909, Page 7

DOMINION ITEMS.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 1

The statement that fire insurance rates are to be raised by from ten per cent, to 13 per cent, throughout the Dominion 4s not denied in Auckland inr surance circles, but reticence is displayed on the subject. It is well known that for some -time past, owing to the enormous losses occurring annually, rates must go up sooner or later. This fact has been kept steadily in view by companies with a view of raising the rates when a favourable opportunity offered. No information was obtainable to-night as to when the new rates will be brought into force. The matter has been slowly coming to a head, however. DUNEDIN, July 1.

A meeting attended by 60 or 70 students of the Otago University was held to-night to consider the question of the formation of an officers' training corps. Colonel Smyth and others who spoke explained that the State idea of promotion was that by giving university men military training they would ensure that as far as possible the officers of every corps may be men who have been trained intellectually as well as in military matters. It was stated that the Defence Department had promised to organise a training corps at each University College in the Dominion. The meeting unanimausly decided to form a corps and a large number were enrolled both for infantry and field hospital corps

WELLINGTON, July 2

In the Magistrate's Court a case was called on to-day, in which counsel for plaintiff said defendant had " passed out" mysteriously, and for no reason that could be suggested. His debts were few, and he was the fortunate possessor of a considerable amount of valuable property. Moreover, he was a man whose reputation w,as undeniable. He had never in the past failed -to meet his engagements, and the creditors who now sued him would have trusted him with anything. But, he had disappear- * ed! He was last seen in March, when he' was suffering from an attack of pleurisy. He left Wellington for Tauranga, and, it was understood, the object of his visit there was to make arrangements for building a house on a farm he owns in that district. Since, then he has never been heard of, although every search has been made for him. Dr! Mac Arthur, S.M., found that there was only one way of dealing with the summons, and that was to direct it to be advertised in the Tauranga newspapers.