NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1386, 12 March 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

IDr TclcEraph-l'rcßs Association.] » lAN. SIMSON CASE. Napier, March 11, A caso which is iirousmg considerable local interest is Ireing heard at tho Supremo Court to-day. H. lun Simson, who was a candidate for the Huwko's Hay seat (it Hit' general election, is suing the "Tribune," a Hastings publication for alleged libel in publishing the following:—"Flash from candidate's speech: Wiion referring to another candidate this person (meaning plaintiff) comes among you clothed villi tho Govcrnuient brand. If he had his deserts, ho should have received it before now." Plfliiit''ir claims Jj'JOOO damages. Tho defonco denies that tho words were published falsely or maliciously, or that tho words meant _ that plaintiff had been guilty of a criminal offence, for which ho was liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment, and that he was unfit to 10prescut the electors in Parliament; but if it is proved th.at tho words are defamatory, then the defendant company sa.vs they are in tho senso alleged true, and will bring ovidence toprovo that tlio plaintiff was twice convicted of assault. Mr. 13. ,T. Dolan is appearing for plaintiil' and Mr. C. P. Skerrc'ot, K.C., for defendant. YOUNG MAORI PARTY. , Gisborno. March 11. Tho sixteenth annual conference of tho loung Mauri Party was held at Nubaka last week. Most of tho matters discussed related to local needs. It was decided to approach tho Government in regard to obtaining doctors for outlying Maori districts, also in regaad to assistance to tho iNuhaka Natives, who started dairying Romo years back, hut had ceased owing to trouble in connection with their factory and tho destruction of a bridge leading thereto. Tho matter of applying to tho lioveirnment to appoint more Native Land Court Judges was discussed. It was decided to inako representations on the matter. A paper was read by the Rev. P. \V. Chatterton regarding Maori local option. "VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.'> Auckjand, March 11. 11l the Magistrate's Court to-dav .(in Chambers) an application was made to Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., by a married couple who wished to adopt a female child born at Auckland on January 10, li) 09. Tho mother of tho child had signed a document and produced a copy of tho birth certilicato, lvliich set forth that (he child was illegitimate. AYhon tho mother gave evidence, she stated that she was a married woman. Sho and hor husband were living apart for somo time, and that her husband was not tho father of tho child. She gave the name of a man, who sho sworo was tho father, and produced his consent to adoption. Mr. kettle said a mother could not illegitimatiso her child in this way, and it. was a question whether tho child should have been registered as "illegitimate." It was a very important question, because if a married man or woman could register children as illegitimate iiuthis way, grievous wrong might be done them. It was a question which should bo carefully looked into, and it might be necessary to suggest an amendment of the Act relating to registration of births. Tho hearing was adjourned to enable tho Magistrate and counsel who appeared in support of the application to look into the matter. OFFICIAL DISAPPEARS, Eketahuna, March 11. Search parties were out yesterday and to-day, and the river lias ljeon dragged, but no trace has been found of tho missing mail M'Lean'who, has not been seen since Friday night. 'An overcoat, handbag, and pipe were, however, found near the river with a message; "Poison too slow; taking to water." Ho had bought poison previously at a chemist's, and two letters indicated an intention to commit suicide owing to trouble in the office. An investigation of the county books is proceeding. Tho missing man was county clerk and secretary of the Farmers' Union, agent for tho Liverpool, Loudon, and Globe Office, tho Dketahuna Building Society, and a member of the Borough Couiicil. . , , „ , •„ —" ' : V THAT DEADLOCK. Auckland, March 11. A deputation from the General Labourers' Union waited upon tho Prime Minister to-night in regard to the present disj puto. The proceedings were private. IMPORTANT CASE. New Plymouth, March 11. An important case has occupied (hi Supreme Court for threo days. C. Eobi. son proceeded against Henry Sanson, jun., for specific performance of agreement (o exchange certain farm lands, one-being an island off Tnuranga. Mr. Bell, K.C.. and Mr. Hoy appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Skerrctt, K.C., and Mr. Spence for defendant. It was alleged that defendant had agreed to exchange a farm at Stratford for SOOO acres on Matakana Island. This was subsequently rescinded, an allegation of fraudulent, misrepresentation being made. Plaintiff, it. was staled, bought the land at lL's. fid. per acre, ana sold it to defendant at JC3 lfls. It is expected thnt evidence will finish to-morrow, and counsel's addresses will bo taken itt Wellington. APOSTLE OF BORROWING. Waihi, March 11. Tho first sod of tho Waihi-iTauvanga section of tho East Coast railway waa turned by tho Premier this afternoou. There was an enormous local gathering, all sections of the community turning out. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of a speech, defended the borrowing policy of tho Government, on tho ground that tho expenditure demanded by tho needs of the development of tho country and the con,tinual demand for the more rapid construction of railway could bo satisfied only by borrowing. During tho period that be had been Prime Minister the exi pcudituro in tho North Island hod exceeded by £1,769,119 that in the South Island. WILD BAR-ROOM SCENE. Auckland, March 9. An extraordinary affair occurred in the bar of tho Occidental Hotel last nifijit. 11l is stated that livo youths entered the bar after having drinks, i'nd expressed some grievance against a Whanirarei barman, who was supposed to be in the bar. . It is alleged that they set upon him, and handled him very roughly. Then they drove off in a motor-car, but returned subsequently, and asked for a drink, which tho barman objected to supply, ill consequenco of their behaviour on their picvions visit. They becamo abusive, and an Auckland resident stepped infrom another part of the hotel and advised them to l>e quiet. It is alleged tliey set iron him, and knocked him on Mid kicked him. The proprietor 'if tl'e hotel appearing on the scene, they again decamped in tho motor-car, which l;as been identified as a hired vehiclo. DRANK SPIRITS OF SALTS. Gisborne, March 10. William Johnston, aged 02, a travelling tinker and a recent arrival from Auckland, was admitted to the- hospital on Saturday suffering from Hie c!T"Hs .-f bavin l ? taken sivvitc nf .'.nit'. He vri found in the rftenvi-m f iiiinr; at lh.-> of the I'iy SoviT'V.r.it Hulton. mid. in reply -o a qui''-'ion,-lato! that' lie had taken ■-r.irit.- .if --alt.-, a'.id vnf very ill. Hie r»n<ii:ifTi i u serious. ACCIDENT ON A B ARCHIE. Auckland, March 10. A serious accident i« reported from Whitiangi oil the barque Casablanca. Five boards slinned nut of n sling aud struck Mr, Ernest F.llis, the second mate, fracturing the base of his skull. Mr. lis is in a critical condit'on. .lames M'Quillan was also struck bv the timber, sustaining a wound on the leg and a crushed foot. AUTOMOBILE TESTS. Chrlslchurcb. March 9. At the Canterbury Automobile Associii. I lion's five-mile sliced Iwt'.s to-day on New Brighton bench, for 20-2,") horse-power cars, lluick won tho open class event in six minutes, and the 20 horse-power event, Vauxhall won tho trade class in 4nnn. I 50sec.