NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(Bar Teleerarh.—Press Association.)

New Plymouth, October 29. In reply to a question raisod by the New Plymouth Town Clerk, tho Crown Law Officer expresses the opinion that tho Motor Regulation Act does not apply to the Crown, and that Government Departments are, therefore, not required to register motors supplied for use of officers. Presumably they are not bound either by speed or other regulations. The matter lias been referred to the member for the district, with a view to legislative amendment. ATTEMPTED HIS LIFE. Eketahuna, October 29. A man named Ford, aged about 30, employed on Brooklands Station, yesterday morning attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. Ho was found in a whare in an unconscious condition. His recovery is probable. ADDINCTON FIRE. Chrlstchuroh, October 29. Early this morning a fire destroyed a six-roomed house owned and occupicd by E. Bradbury, in Disraeli Street, Aldington. Tho occupants escaped in their night clothing. The contents are a complete loss. The fire spread to an adjoining residence occupied by E. Vallence, but the brigade prevented much damage being done. A PROPOSAL REJECTED. Timaru, October 29. A poll was taken in the Borough of Temulca to-day on a proposal to purchase the gasworks now owned by a company. Of abcut 6000 on the roll only 264 voted, and the proposal was rejected by a majority of 14. INSPECTION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN. Auckland, October 29. e "We are strongly of opinion that the medical inspection of pupils should bo undertaken by a doctor, and not by the teacher, and that the assistance given by the latter should take the form of noting the general defects or weaknesses in the case of pupils, and of reporting to the medical inspector during his visits to the school," stated a section of the report of the committee to the Education Board to-day. "Even then," the report continued. " a considerable amount of clerical work would remain for the teacher to do, tut this is inevitable under 'the present conditions, and would be cheerfully undertaken Tho present scheme is much too ambitious for a staff of medical inspectors. Under the existing conditions and regulations it will be years before the entire enrolment of pupils in this district is seen by the Department's medical officers. Tho report was approved, and is to bo forwarded to the Education Department. A DOCTOR & THE EPIDEMIC. Auckland, Octobor 29. A case which had its origin in the recent epidemic was heard at the Polica Court this afternoon, when Dr. Hugh Keith, of Auckland, was charged, on the information of the Health Department, that, being the practitioner who atten/ied three patients at Grey Lynn who were suffering from an infectious disease, namely, smallpox, he failed or neglected to notify the Health Department on the day on which he became aware of the disease or suspect. The Magistrate held that the prosecution' had been unable to swear that the patients' complaints were infectious in the meaning of the Act. The charge was dismissed. FLOODS FEARED IN THE SOUTH. Invercarglll, October 29. Heavy rain has been falling almost continuously during the past 24 hours. Reports from the country districts indicate it danger of a repetition of the floods of March last. About Gore several of the rivers are in flood.