TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1922, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

[BT TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] EXAMINATION COAIPLAINT. WELLINGTON, August 24. At the annual meeting of the Society of Accountants serious charges were made against the system of examination iiTWellington. One member accused it of laxity and carelessness. He said he had recently sat for an examination in which one paper was identical with that set in Australia a few months before. He and other students had a copy the day before the examination. He also declared the papers were carelessly marked and candidates passed who had really failed. He had known cases of candidates picking up a book two day; before the examination and securing a pass. The Society considered the charges so grave that they should be put in writing and investigated.

TAXATION PROPOSALS. WELLINGTON, August. 23. Mr Harkness (Chairman of the Harbour Board) strongly condemned the suggestion by the Taxation Committee that lands owned by local bodies should be taxed. Their position was quite different to lands privately owned. What was the vse of the Harbour Board reclaiming land from the sea, if it was to he confiscated by taxation. These an the lands given by way of endowment, were for the express purpose of producing revenue and easing the charges The revenue earned by Harbour Board laud was twelve thousand pounds yearly, and they would have to pay eleven thousand pounds in taxation, so that practically all the benefit would be lost from it. Qne or two members saw no objection to the Committee’s proposals but others strongly condemned them. Ono suggested they could stand taxation if the Government Department’s paid for the work now gratuitously dono for tjfpm. The Chairman mentioned (he privileges claimed by the Government to wharfage, storage or Harbour dues, and so on. Eventually it was decided to discuss the matter further at the next meeting.

GENERAL ELECTION DATE. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 23. At the annual meeting of the Cam terbupy Employers’ 4 sst, t'iation tonight. the following motion was carried: "That this meeting respectfully requests the Premier to so arrange that, in the interest of the traders throughout the dominion, and so as not to interfere with the early Christmas shopping op the part of the public, the forthcoming general election be hold not later than the end of November.

HERESY CHARGES. TTMARIJ, 4ugust 23. At a meeting of the Chalmers Prsbyterinn Congregation to-night, the subject of the recent heresy charges against the Rev Gladstone Hughes was mentioned. The Minister made a statement in relation to the whole question, and the congregation placed oh record its continued prefect confidence in the Minister, and appreciation of his services as an able and scholarly exponent of the Scripture, and a faithful preacher of the Gospel; also their admiraftion of him as a- devoted pastor.

SUPREME COURT. INVERCARGILL, August 23. At the Supreme Court, Robert Fluerty was acquitted on charges of theft and receiving of ships stores from s.s. Suffolk at Bluff. Henry John Cox was found guilty on two charges of false pretences, with a strong recommendation to mercy and sentence was deferred.

MOTOR ACCIDENT. ■ NIAPIER, August 23. At the Supreme Court Frederick Hansen, shearer and slaughterman u: awarded £6ll 6s 2d damages against Robert Matthews, a sheep farmer in a ease, which was the sequel to a collision, between a motor cycle ridden by plaintiff and a motor car driven by defendant, as the result of which Hansen suffered injuries SHIPPING DISPUTE. WELLINGTON, Aug 23. The hearing of the shipping dispute was continued in the Arbitration Court to-day.

William Rogers, Manager of the Anchor Line, admitted to Mr Young that reduced proposals were made in March since when the rates of pay had been reduced. business was then all right, but the falling off and the reduction in freights was anticipated. The freights had been reduced on sheep, cattle and manures.

ACQUITTED. WANGANUI, August 23. At the Supreme Court this afternoon Robert Mathieson was ncquitted on charges of theft of money from the Ga s Department of the Borough Council.

MT. COOK HERMITAGE. TIMARU, August 23. The Tourist Department has granted a lease of the Mount Cook Hermitage to the Mount Cook Company who propose to lower the tariff, and in other ways to popularise and maintain the hostelry.

PRINTING DISPUTE. PERTH, August 23. The failure of negotiations between the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association and the Printing Employers’ Union, over the new log formulated by the latter (including an increase of £1 per Week in wuges, and four instead of two weeks holiday yearly) has led to tlie non-puplication of the newspaper “West Australian” the last couple of days. Tlie mechanical staffs of other papers are adopting a similar attitude. The Court has ordered the contestants to file their ejaims, and summonses have been issued against the Union.