TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[PEIt PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

LIBEL SUIT FAILS,

NAPIER, August 31. The Chief Justico (Sir Robort Stout) to-day non-suited G. S. Chapman, who claimed £1509 from the “Tribune” newspaper for alleged libel, contained in five anonymous letters. The Chief Justice held the letters to ho fair comment. Costs wore awarded, on tho usual scale for the defendant. Stay of execution for fourteen days’ was granted in view of an appeal. The claim was based on a number

of letters to tho editor pointing out that plantiff, a member of the Hastings Borough Council and a Parliamentary candidate had not enlisted after implying in public that such was his intention. The letters also .attacked the platform of tho Second Division ‘League, of which plantiff was a member. _ >

CUSTOMS REVENUE,

WELLINGTON, Sop. 4

The Minister states that tho amount of Customs revenue collected in August totalled £326,865; excise and beer dutv £18,208. Tho figures for August, 1916, were £340,252 nnd £l3 302. SCHOOL APPOINTMENT. (By Telegraph.—Special to Guardian.) WELLINGTON. This Dav. Miss Casey, M.A., of Hokitika District High School, has been appointed to the first position in Hawera High School. LATEST CASUALTY LIST. (By Telegraph.—Special to Guardian.) WELLINGTON, This Day. _ The latest hospital report lias the following: Still seriously ill—ll. B. Ferguson, •Hari Hnri, and A. Rae, Mananui. Severe case—J. X. Harper, Kuraara. Not sovere case—Sergt. W. J. O’Meara, Westland.

DROWNED IN WANGANUI RIVER.,

(By Telegraph.—Special to Cuardian.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

Last night’s “Evening Post” records that Mr Charles A. Barton, formerly Clerk of the Court at Hokitika, was drowned on Sunday, when fording the Wanganui river. EFFICIENCY BOARD. BOARD AND GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 3,

The Efficiency Board’s conditional resignation was considered by Cabinet today. Ministers decided to leave negotiations with the hoard to Sir James Allen, Minister in Charge. This decision is indicative of the Government’s desire to retain the services of business men in an advisory capacity, tor Sir James Allen holds a strong opinion in favour of the board’s retention and may he relied upon to do his best in that direction.

I understand that the board’s order of reference is to be varied by excluding policy questions, unless specifically requested to deal with them by the Government, if the duties and powers of the Efficiency Board aro more specific, Ministers believe it can do valuable work for the country and greatly assist in the solution of social and industrial problems arising through tho war.

RESIGNATIONS ACCEPTED CHRISTCHURCH, Sept 4

Mr. J. A. Frostick,, National Efficiency Commissioner for Canterbury, has received a telegram from tho Chair man of the Efficiency Board, Wellington, as follows.—“ Resignations accepted as from 15th inst., but to permit time for reorganisation, the Minister is writing direct to oach Connnissoner with suggestion*.

A WARNING TO LICENSEES AUCKLAND, This Day.

At a meeting of _ Auckland City Licensing Committeo. the police complained that recent prosecutions showed bookmokers carried on their calling in five hotels.

Tho Chairman said that if betting took place and tho licensee was not aware of it, that indicated his conduct of tho hotel was not so careful as it should be. Should further complaint he made tho Committee would take tho same stand as on that particular case where they advised tho owner to get the license transferred. Licensees could look upon this as a warning.