TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1921, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[ii y TEi/EGiiArn —run phess association, i PRODUCERS VIEWS. WANGANUI, Nov. 28. G. 1,. Marshall, Chairman of the Council of Agriculture, referring !o -Mr .Massey’s statement that the Sheepowners Federation repudiate the opinion expressed at the recent farmers deputation, states in a letter to the local press, that the local representatives of the Sheepowners Federation were present at the meeting at which the statement prepared l>y Mr limit, was read word hv word and approved hv everybody present, and unanimously adopted. Not one of the sheepowners representatives raised a note ol objection. .Mi- Massey has since done a great deal in the way of economising which we requested, hut he has not tackled the subject of the abolition of preference to Unionists. Mr Marshall says he is confident the whole statement put to Mr Massey gave a clear accurate view of present and future prospects ol the producers of the country. DISMISSALS FROM PUBLIC SERVICE. OFFICERS' APPEALS. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. The, Public Service Board ol Appeal is engaged in hearing appeals by officers against their dismissal from the Public Service, arising out of the defalcations of an official of the State Coal Mines Office in Christchurch. Tiie first appeal was that of G. S. flapper, auditor. The Board consisted of Messrs Peter Barr (chairman), F. W. Flanagan, and G. de R. Andrews (elected member). -Mr Myers appeared for the appellant, and Mr P. Verschaclfclt, Assistant Commissioner, for the Public Service Commissioner. The evidene of a number of officers in the service was taken, and the Board reserved its decision. < The next appeal was that of F. A. Nalder, Coal Department manager, .Mines Department, Christchurch. The personnel of the Board was the same as in the first case, except that Mr K. F. Hawthorn sat as the elected member. Mr E. P. Hay represented the appellant. After evidence had lieen taken, the Board adjourned. WHEN TWO ACTS CLASH. NELSON, Nov. 20. There was something in the nature of a Cillicitian situation in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when Paiii \\aImti was charged upon two inlormaiiuMs with falling to send Ins children In school. The wife of ihe defendant said llie children had been suffering fmiii influenza. and had been kept away Iroin school on that account. She had writi -ii in the toucher asking fiiM bet e1ii1,1,,-n ,1,,-n I„» excused from attendance. She indignantly denied a statement made i.c the truant oilier that the children had been selling lish. The Magistrate said the medical cerlitieate showed that the children had been suffering from iiitliionza. ft would have been the worst thing |Hissiblo to send the children to school with intlutnza in the house. But the absurd position arose of the children not being allowed at school because of the nature of their illness, and the parents being charged with not sending them. It was absolutely an absurd position. Under the Public Health Act parents were liable to a penalty if they did send their children to school, and under the Education Act it they did not. It was rather a Gilbert ian situation. lie could not convict as he would have to impost 1 a line ii la l did. In the circumstances, lie would dismiss the informations on the ground that it was an unreasonable position. There was no reflection on the truant officer, who was onlv carrying out his duty. A MONEYLENDER'S M ANAGER. DUNEDIN, Nov. 2'>. Donald .Martin MacFadgen, late manager for Lazarus Wolfe Balktud. a money-lender, with businesses in Dunedin, Christchurch. Wellington, and Auckland, was committed lor sentence to-day on a charge of fraudulently converting to his own use Polo is ltd. Till- evidence of the complainant showed that accused had been his manager since I!II7. Letters were read showing that the accused had confessed to lialkind of misappropriations, ami Balkiud stated that he had stolen more since the dates of the letters, and had also lost him thousands by lending to any scoundrel that asked. After the first defalcations, two years ago, MacFadgen was given two or three months to wind op the Dunedin business, he to receive. L.'i a week till he had done so. The first arrangement was that accused received 215 per cent df the net prolits. (,)uostioned by accused’s lawyer about letters found •which witness refused to hand over, Balkind said the letters showed that accused made arrangements with bookmakers, and showed where some ol the stolen money had gone. Detective Palmer produced a statement by accused admitting that he had converted to his own use amounts totalling eiftOf), Balkind allowing him to stop on at li.'l a week till the shortage was paid off. On May 21st he reported to Balkind further defalcations. Accused first, pleaded not guilty, bn! afterwards changed his plea lo one of guilty. TEACHERS’ PROTEST. PALMERSTON N. Nov. 28. A deputation representing secondary primary school teachers of Palmerston North waited upon Mr Nash M.P. today, protesting against the Government's proposal to reduce Tito deputation was assured that as soon as definite informal ion was available on the subject teachers would be informed. and AH Nash would meet them again. GISBORNE WORKERS TO RESUME. GISBORNE, Nov. 28. The freezers’ award has been awaited with interest. On Monday of last week the works opened, hut there was no labour. To-night the Union held a meeting. 400 being present. The SecI retary was instructed to notify the companies that the men were prepared to accept work as soon as the works open, and that a protest will be made against several of the clauses of th award. ' The works will probably open on 1 Wednesday. 1

LIFE INSURANCE CLAIM. AUCKLAND, Nov. 28. At the Supreme Court, Lucy Smalllield, widow of Cecil Robert Smallfield, stock agent of Hamilton, is claiming CIO,OOO from the National Mutual Life of Australasia under a life insurance policy. Smallfield disappeared on Jan- ; 1 uatv 30th. Two inquests were held, -s one after exhumation, the verdict m each being that death was due to heart t failure. The Mutual Life policy was • less than a year old at the time ol > Smallfield’s death. The defence is , based on a clause in the policy _ ’ validating the same in the event of the insured person dying by his own hand, within thirteen months of insurance. It is expected the case will occupy tour or live days. AUCKLAND, Nov. 28. Counsel for the defence in lus opening speech said Smallfield informed the insurance agent he had made a' wager that if he committed suicide the money would not be paid on his P o '”'.'- agent explained the policy to Small field, and the Company alleged theio was no man with whom the alleged wager was made. The idea of making the wager seemed to have boon persisted m bv Smallfield, for on Sunday morning before the Wednesday on which ins death took place, lie uiade a wage! with Harold Bitrluish that lie would beat Bnrbiish swimming across Waikato river and back. Burhnsh was wellknown as a. powerful swimmer, and so (far as is known Smallfield had not such a. reputation. While in the watei Smallfield was observed breathing heavily Bttrhttsh and his brother rescued him in -a fainting and exhausted condition. It was contended for the plaintiff that this was a, heart attack, but Smallfield never explained what had been th 0 cause and never consulted •,\ doctor. SPEEDING UP. WELLINGTON, Nov 20. There was a very evident desire on the part, of members to speed up the work of tile session when the Premier moved that, front December nth the House should sit on Monday evenings. Tito first query put to Mr Massey was what possibilitv there was of finishing before Christman, because if there was no possibility little was to be gained ' v sitting on Mondays. Mr Massey reported that it would lx 1 pushing work on and saving time at the other end. Mr Forbes: Well, why not sit at 2.30 p.ni. Mr Parry: What about Saturday sittings ? Mr Howard: Why not flic Sabbath” .Mr Ma-sscv: Wo never break the Sabbath. There was a thorns of voices round tin-, chamber sup|Htrting the plea to sit i tile usual afternoon Hour on Mondnv. while .Mr fsitt inquired if there was any clinnoe of finishing before Christmas if sittings wore held on. .Saturday and .Monday. To this Mr Massey [minted out that! Saturday was required for Cabinet sitliiigyt. lie touched ui>oii the vital questions ahead of economy and rotreuclinieut that made it apparent that t fie House will assemble again after ('hristniiis.