TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1922, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

fnv IELEORAPfl — PRESS ASSOCIATION] KILLED BY TRAM. AUCKLAND, March 21. A mail of about forty years, whose name is. thought to bo Vercoe whs struck by a tram.in Queen,Street, and died at the hosjital four hours .later. Deceased had only one <sye, and was crossing the street when he apparently stepped right in front of the tram. THE LICENSING QUESTION.

WELLINGTON, March 17. The hearing of evidence oil behalf of the National Council of the Licensed Trade of New Zealand was continued to-day by the Recess Parliamentary Committee which was set up to enquire what amendments of the Licensing Act would he necessary if national nolicense should not he carried in De-

cemebr. Evidence was also given by representatives of the Licensed Victuallers Association of New Zealand and the Associated Chartered Clubs, while the Revd John Dawson gave evidence on behalf of the New Zealand Alliance Counsel appeared for the different interests concerned. The sittings of tile Committee will be continued to-morrow, and unless a uajd inatiy more persons notify the chairman (Mr F. F. Hockley, M.P.) that they desire to give evidence, it JR expected' that the hearing of witnesses will he concluded about the middle of next week,

MINISTER ON STATE GRANTS. WELLINGTON, March 17. Reference was made by the Hon. C. j pnrr, Minister of Education, to the question of State grants for swimming classes. ‘‘Some misconception,” said the Minister, “appears to exist in regard to the effects likely to follow the recent curtailment of the capitation grant for swimming and life-saving classes in the primary and secondary schools. The classes are usually taken by the permanent staff of the school, and often in ordinary school hours. Where outside instructors are employed, the appointments are mainly honorary, except in some secondary schools where a part-time instructor in physical culture, paid by the Government, may do the work. The capitation, in. practice has been really a subsidy to the funds of the school for incidental purposes, and has usually been employed to meet expenses in connexion with sports generally. Since the teachers will presumably still continue to take classes in swimming and life-saving in either school hours or voluntarily out of the school hours, as they have done in the past, the withdrawal of the capitation allowance should not threaten the existence of the classes. Interest in swimming has now become so widespread that the classes will no doubt be continued without any artificial stimulus by way of a Government subsidy. Of course the Education Department has nothing to do with the withdrawal by the Internal Affairs Do partment of the annual votes or appropriations in favour of the "Royal Humane Society, the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, and Dm Royal Life-Saving Society.”

GTSBORNH SPPRKMK COURT. GKBORNF. .M:uc!i 21

At tlte Supreme Court. Vernon \\ infield Higgips Linkborne, for bigamy, received six months. The case was deferred twelve months ago, to give accused an opportunity of contractin'!; a i e »;al marriage with the woman .0 h’d bigamously married, but the woman refused to marry him, and the judge said he thought she was right. The Court is bearing a civil suit, in which Hugh Patterson claims from the National Piano Company, of Auckland, £3,000 damages for alleged malicious prosecution. 1 - Ml ■ n liiunwi