VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1921, Page 4

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PIIEBB ASSOCIATION] DEATH FROM INJURIES. WELLINGTON, Feb 23. At the corner of Tory Street and Courtney Place at 8 p.m. yesterday, a twelve-year-old boy named Jack (Jrayndler, while pushing his bicycle along was knocked down by a motorcar, and sustained a fracture of the left leg and very severe injuries to his head. He was removed to the hospital and died at 6.30 this morning.

INSURANCE OFFICERS’ GUILD. WELLINGTON. Feb. 23. The Insurance Officers’ Guild has concluded its first annual Dominion conference. Mr E. E. Hammond presided and delegates from the four centres were present. Mr Hammond referred to the progress of the guild, which included members of fire, marine, and accident insurance staffs A hope was expressed that the life section would join. The conference, resolved to heartily support the movement for federation of guilds. Considerable time was devoted to th ( > educational aspect of the guild movement. and a committee was appointed to confer with other guilds with reference to a scheme of commercial education co-operating with the university. Election of officers resulted President, Mr E. E. Hammond (Wellington)’; vice-presidents, Messrs H. Clay, C ip s. Stonze (Christchurch,) and T. Dawson, (Dunedin). Mr IL *’• Man riant was reappointed general secretary.

CARPENTERS’ WAGES. WELLINGTON, Eel. 23. \ conference was held to-night between representative employers and men concerning the decision of the builders to reduce carpenters’ wages from 3s to 2s 9d per hour. The conference proved abortive, and there will he further proceedings before the Conciliation Council next week prior to the matter going before the Arbitration Court. SHOP HOURS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 23. Small shopkeepers held a meeting of protest to-night concerning the amendment of the Shops and Offices Act requiring them to closo their premises at 6 p.m. It. was decided to send a deputation to the Prime Minisor urging the repeal of the amendment concerned.

METHODIST CONFERENCE WELLINGTON*', Feb 23. The annual conference ot the Methodist Church opened to-night, the 1 unction taking the form of a young people’s demonstration. The sessions proper will open to-morrow night, with an inaugural address by the president, the Rev. W. Grigg. PETITION FOR DIVORCE. DUNEDIN, Feb 22.

In the .Supreme Court this morning a husband petitioned for a divorce under Section l of the Marriage Law Amendment Act, 102(1. Petitioner’s counsel said that the parties had been separated, as the result of differences, under a deed of separation since December 1914, and bad lived apart ever since. Counsel asked the Judge’s guidance as to bow far they should probe into the conduct of the parties. Mr Justice Sim replied that apparently all that had to bo proved was that the parties had been married, and that the deed of separation was in full force and had continued in full force for a period of no less than three years. It did not matter j-eally who had been to blame for the separation. The Act might have been worded more clearly. Him petitioner, under the terms of the Act, was entitled to a decree nisi for the dissolution of his marriage. This would be granted, but it bad better be moved for in Court to make it absolute at the end of three months in ease any fresh light was thrown upon the interpretation of the section of the Act in the meantime.

SOLDIERS’ WILLS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 2d. Largo numbers of wills were prepared by the Public Trustee during the war for soldiers about to leave on active service and many hundreds of these are still deposited in the Public Trust Office. These wills are, and will continue for all time to be operative, provided that the soldier has not married subsequently to the date of the execuion of the will or has not made a later will revoking the one held by the Public Trustee. It lias been brought under the notice of the Public Trustee that many returned soldiers are under the impression that the wills were cancelled on the the termination of the war. The following facts therefore are published for information. (1) That wills made by soldiers prior to going on active.service and deposited with the Public Trustee will remain valid for all time, unless the soldier makes a subsequent will revoking the existing will, or marries. (2) That the termination of the war did not render will so made inoperative.

(3) That soldiers who made such wills prior to going on active service should at once communicate with the Public Trustee if they wish to revoke or alter existing wills, and any such returned soldiers who have married subsequently to the date of any such will should immediately notify the Public Trustee of tbo fact.

FATAL ACCIDENT. AUCKLAND, Feb. 24 A fatal accident occurred in Hunua Gorge about noon to-day, a single man, Peara Grace, aged 28, . being killed instantly as the result of a motor lorry falling over a cliff 70 feet high. The lorry was conveying coal from Hunua colliery to Papakura. Other occupants, Mrs McEnte and a child, aged four, escaped with bruises and shoeft. Deceased was a returned soldier and bad been wounded three times.