DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[I!Y TELEGItAm —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] lAIPORTAXT DECISION. WELLINGTON, May 22. An important decision was given by the Chief- Justice to-day in an originating summons brought before him last week with the object of securing a dccison as to whether certain regulations tinder the Government Railways Act, 1908. were ultra vires. The decision mainly affected the issue as to whether promotion in the Railway service was to he based primarily on seniority or whether ability and suitability were to be allowed to discount seniority. His Honour held that the regulations were good in law and pointed out that there was no more reason for seniority ruling in the service than there was for it ruling in other occupations.

CYCLISTS INJURED. ASHBURTON, May 21. During Saturday’s bicycle road race held by the Cliertsey Cycling Club, S. Cain of Chert,soy was racing close behind another competitor who fell. Cain crashed into him aiul received severe injuries to the right ear. Cain was given first aid and conveyed home by Air W. J. Dailey, of Ashburton, on a motor-cycle. When returning to his own homo, Air Dailey’s motor-cycle collided with a motor-car driven by Air G. AL Breeze, of Ashburton, near Fairfield. Dailey’s right thigh was fractured and he was removed to the Ashburton Hcapital. The cyclist who fell in front of Cain sustained minor abrasions.

A WIRELESS RECORD. DC MED IX, May ‘2l The Auckland message about wireless receiving from America, pales besides Hie record of a Dunedin amateur. Mi R. Slade, who. using only one valve, heard every night American amateur stations sending on less than one hundred watts. One station 8000 miles away sending on 30 watts was picked up distinctly. LICENSING ACT APPEAL. WELLIXGTOX, May 21 The Full Court gave judgment this afternoon, in Asllc v. Sweeney, a case in which the appellant was convicted i, v Magistrate of a breach of Section 1 11) :a) of the Licensing Act in Hint he caused to he published in a lienspapei in the no-license area of Masterlon, an advertisement as to spirituous liquors supplied by his firm. The Chief Justice, in the course of his judgment, said that the object of the licensing statutes was to Impose restrictions on the sale of liquor, and that ic was not for the Court to whittle awav express legislation, though it might he inconvenient to people desiring liquor or having it for sale. The argument that an advertisement by a trader that he had goods to sell win not solicitation to a possible customer could not be held valid. In bis op ill ion the appeal against the conviction should he dismissed. Mr Justice llosking and M.r Justice Herd man agreed that the appeal should be dismissed, with LID IDs costs.

Mr Justice Salmond and -Mr Justice Deed dissented, being of opinion that the appeal should he allowed. The decision was in accordance with the opinion of a majority of the Court.

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS. FETLIVING. Alay 21. At the municipal elections on April Ofith, a poll was taken on the half holiday question, resulting in Saturday being retained by 31 votes. This poll has now been upset.

Wednesday supporters petitioned the Court for an enquiry, claiming that the ballot paper was ambiguous and misleading. The enquiry was held to-day before Mr R. AL Watson. S.M. The petitioners produced a number of witnesses who said that they wore misled bv the directions on the voting paper, which read: “The voter is required to put a cross opposite tho name of the working day for which he desires to vote.” It was contended that the words “working day” were misleading. The Afagistrato held that the voting paper did mislead, voided the poll, and ordered another.

Tho second enquiry was hold on the same election result, dealing with the Borough Council. One of the candidates declared elected was V. K. Smith, who is a large ratepayer, and had been a Councillor for six years. Tiy accident his name was omitted from the printed district electors’ list, and A. C'lchind, who was tho only candidate not elected petitioned against Smith’s election on the ground that his name was not on the roll. Clchuid asked that he be declared elected. Evidence was taken that Smith’s name was accidentally omitted from the printed list, though it was entitled to he there. The Magistrn to reserved his decision.

PROPOSED MEAT COMPANY. NEW Pf.YMOETTT. May 21. A special meeting of shareholders of the Taranaki Farmers’ Meat Company. Ltd., was held this afternoon, when the chairman of directors (Mr Newton King) submitted a report on the works by Mr N. L. Macbeth, of Christchurch, who advised that the works should he recapitalised. Tho proposed capital is .-CSO.OOO, in Go preferential shares. Tire meeting adjourned for six weeks, after carrying the following resolution unanimously:—“That this meeting is of opinion that immediate stops should he taken to obtain applications for preferential shares up to a sufficient amount to enable the company to re. start the works, and that a committee of twelve nersons he set up to work with <he directors for the purpose of carrying out the above proposal.

LABOURER KILLED. WANG ANTI, May 2L> A road labourer from Panarnngi, John Ray, also known as John Gray, was killed at Kai Twi Railway Station to-niglit bv a train running over him. Ho was attempting to hoard a train with a heavy swag, and apparently fell between the carriages. He was dragged about- three chains. The statinnmaster. on going to extinguish a signal light, found his body badly mutilated on the line. Deceased was about 50 years old. A letter, found in His pocket, was addressed “Miss M. Rnv. Clareville, Carterton, Wairara pa.”.

FARAIKRS’ UNION CONFERENCE. 'PALMERSTON X., Alav 22. Tho conference of the Farmers' Union delegates in the Wellington, Wanganui, Wairarapa, and Alanawatu provincial districts opened to-day, Mr K. AI. Dalrymplc (Wellington Provincial President) presiding. Among the remits was one suggesting a change in the name to the Primary Producers’ Association. Both remits were rejected by a large majority. Owing to the illness of Mr Claude Smith, President, Wanganui Provincial district, there was no presidential address. A motion of sympathy with Air Smith was carried.

C'LAI AI FOR OVERCOAT. DUNEDIN, Alav 22. All unusual case in the Magistrate's Court was a claim by Cyril Plato for £8 -Is for the loss of an overcoat lodged in the Forburv Park Trotting Club’s cloakroom on February 3, first day’s racing, and not claimed till the second day. It was claimed for tbe defence that the Club only undertook to look after c-oats for a "day: aftei that the Club became an involuntary bailee. The Afagistrato, in awarding plaintiff £*l, held that the agreement made the first day covered the whole meeting. PREAIATURE EXPLOSION. DUNEDIN, May 22. Only meagre information is available to-night concerning a premature explosion of gelignite, which occurred at .Muller’s Flat extension of Beaumont railway. One man. Frank Freeman, aged -11, married, whose wife and family reside in Dunedin, was brought to Dunedin Hospital to-night suffering from injuries to the face and one hand, and it is understood that two or three others wore taken to the hospital at Lawrence.

MIDLAND LINE. CHRISTCHURCH. Alav 22 When this morning’s Midland train was passing near the deviation on the site of the first washout beyond Springfield, a coal truck between the two engines left tho rails. A large number of men. who were working on Ihe deviation, were promptly .summoned, aiul the truck was jacked up and replaced. The train moved off slowly, and a large rock slipped down and fell across the line. The train pulled U)) before any damage was done. The boulder was soon removed.

The grade at the deviation has been much improved in the last ten days, but the cutting is narrow, the carriage steps just (tearing the shingle hank. AN UNHAPPY FAAfTLY. WELLINGTON, Alay 22 Affairs mi hoard the American vessel Forest Home, have not been satisfactory ever since the vessel arrived in port. First one of tho men accidentally fell and received such injuries that he died. Then trouble arose between the captain and the crew, summons and cross-summons being issued. Tic men were charged with disobedience of orders. The captain was charged with assault. To-day two ol the men applied for a discharge and claimed the balance of moneys alleged to be due. They staled the captain had threatened them with a. revolver, and had also two guns and other firearms handy. On the voyage out nearly all the crew had been logged. Sonic had deserted. The ATagistraln granted an order for discharge, and said it was "the best wav out.

OAAIARC RATES. OAAIARU. May 22. At a- special meeting of tlie Oamaru Borough Council this evening, the estimates for the current year were reconsidered. when it was unanimously decided to make a further reduction in tlie rates of threepence in the pound. Added to the reductions proposed a fortnight ago, this makes a reduction in the rates of lieai ly nine; om-e in the pound for the current year. Tlie sound condition of the Borough finances makes this substantial reduction practicable.

THE KING’S AIESSAGE. WELLINGTON, May 23. Gramaplione records of tlie King's Messago have not arrived, and as it b not even, known by what vcs-cl they were shipped, the authorities cannot ay if they will be hero in time lor the King’s Birthday. It is hoped they will at least be here by the Prince of Wales’ Birthday on June 23rd.

WORK FOR. ENEMPkOYED. WELLINGTON. May 23. The Minister of Piddie "Works stated that Gevernmont is confident it can adequately meet tho winter unemployment- situation. The great difficulty will he with Canterbury where the recent Hoods have made the problem one very awkward to deal with. The work of repairing the damage caused by the floods, very largely is work fot artisans, end a maiority of t’e unemployed are unskilled -labourers. Tn the North Island Mr Contes considers it will be possible to find employment for all these requiring it.