DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[I)T TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHINAMAN FINED. AUCKLAND, Aug. 17. Juc hum, a young Chinaman, said to be a man of means, described hy Detective Cummings as a procurer and a runner for opium smokers in Auckland, was lined JtioO or in detank three months’ imprisonment. The police said he was found in a doorway on Saturday night in a suspicious attitude and when searched by the detectives two tins of opium was found in his possession, also e. tape tor putting on the pipe. hum told the Magistrate that the opium found was for making pills for stomach ache. The Magistrate remarked that there must l>e a lot of Chinese with stomach al lies in the t ity. He had heard that tale so often. SOLICITOR FINED. WELLINGTON. Aug. 17 That he had failed to furnish returns of his income derived during tour years was the allegation made against a solicitor named Hugh Burnett. of Woodville. who pleaded guilty to the four charges at the Police Court to-day. Counsel for the Depart incut said that defendant had not furnished returns for the past ten years, and had ignored all communications, even from the Crown Law Olliee. On three occasions he had been interviewed hy an inspector, and although making promises had failed to do anything definite in the mailer. The defendant, while not finding lank with the Department. said that lie wished the action had been taken much earlier, lie had for sonic time been considerably worried and suffered from extreme shortness (if sight. He promised he would do his best to furnish returns at an oarlv date. Pines of and costs Were imposed on each of throe ol the charges, while the fourth was adjourned to enable defendant to adjust his rot u rns. TRADE POSITION. WELLINGTON. Aug. Hi. “There is nothing to boast of in connection with tin 1 Public Accounts for the lirst four months of this year,” remarked the Prime Minister to a deputation from Dunedin, “hut they arc quite satisfactory. The country is a hive of industry. Otherwise, we would not he tilde to export products of so enormous a value. There is plenty of encouragement in this for the Government to take a little risk in reducing taxation. Unless something n n forseen happens, even with what we arc doing, we should have a balance on the right side at the end of the year.” I he Prime Minister supported lus optimistic references with the declaration that it was simply marvellous lmw the trade of New Zealand had developed. His attention had been called to this phase bv Sir George Fenwick, quoting the imports and exports for the year 1922. “I can do better.” remarked Mr Massey, who said that eleven years ago the Dominion's exports were between 22 and 23 millions in value. Ihe latest figures regarding our exports showed a total to 3!Hh. June of fi-IG.fIIH.2HI. If the exports and imports were taken together, it irinld he shown, he thought that the trade per head in New Zealand was a world’s record, possibly only excelled hy Poland. The latter eount t’V might he close lip. blit 111' (lid not think it could beat New Zealand’s record of last. year.

A DIYORGE CASK. AUCKLAND, August 17. A divorce petition "as heard by Justice .Stringer to-day. which, au- riling to counsel’s statement, is a pr itliar one. Of the two co->cspi iidcnts. one is lieiiiy Forsyt.i, who is serving imprisonment for lit Ist? pretences, Ihe allegation' of misconduct wi re emmteiod 0 v ;i charge ol’ ("elusion Ictween ihe liu.siiiind and Forsyth Edward Dempsey. ■' tailor- 's ll'litinner, and the second ei>-ie't otnleiit is Robert Kav. Tim petitioner a-keil let a. decree nisi and £ISOO damages from Kay. On one occasion Dempsey found his wife in Kay’s company in the street and lie gave Kay a pummeling. His wife then promised that she would not again meet Kay. lie (Dempsey) transferred to her the whole ol ins lile savings, and his house, valued at L-OkR earning a mortgage ot £BOO. lie again met Kay with his wife and g- ■ c him another pummeling. Dempsey however, found his wile was receiving love letters from Kay. while he loutid her walking out with a young man who was no other than Kay’s son. Counsel said that there was art admission on the pari of Airs Dempsey to a friend that she was living with Forsyth at Wellington. Forsyth took the woman in all innocence, believing her single. He wrote a manly letter after (liscov-el-v. ]!. was on this ground that the defence would base its allegation of collusion between Forsyth and the petitioner. There was a confession of misconduct, signed hy Mrs Dentp'-ey. The ease is proceeding.

AN AUCKLAND PROPOSAL. , CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 17. The Auckland Education Board has written to the Canterbury Board asking its co-operation in advocating a loan, understood to be one of more than G 1 .Utut.tHHl. for educational purposes, such as the improvement ol school accommodation and the erection of tencliers' residences, secondary schools, manual and technical schools, and training colle ,y es. Mr W. A. Ranks, when the letter was read to the £ anlerlmiy Board to-day. said that Auckland probably fell the need lor more accommodation lo a greater extent than Canterhury ,11,1. In view of the fad that the eduction expenditure had increased from Cl. 000.001) 'o W. 000.000 per year, the Government hud done its best to meet tl-o needs of tlu* Education Boards, ft was inadvisable to try to rush the Finance Minister at a time when the Government was trying to reduee taxation Public works, he pointed out. were needed all over the country. The Government had remarkably well with the money at its disposal tor schools. Another million should not be added lo a public debt that was increasing by leaps and hounds. He moved that the loiter he received. Mr E. 11. Andrews, who seconded the motion, said that the Board should not commit itself to supporting a large borrowing policy without careful ooiisideiation. Money that was judiciously spent on education was a wise investment. l>ui. the enormous increase oi the expenditure ill that direction must be kept in mind. The Government should put a stop to the borrowing policy, int,, which its critics were pushing it. : While the Government was trying to stabilise the finances, it should not he asked to raise another large loan. - I Mr C. S. Thompson said that the - members of the Board would have - time to consider the question. He mmi ed ail amendment that the letter he re- ■: ferretl to the Appointments Committee I for a report.

AX/AC MEMORIAL. WELLINGTON. Ansi. Is. Numbers of the Anzae Mounted forces subscribers £5400 tor a monument to their dead comrades at Port Said. The Australian Government contributed eight thousand and the New Zealand Government has given £2o|V>. the total cost of the memorial being estimated at £15.000. Designs were invited from Australian and New Zealand architects and sculptors. Ihe first prize (250 guineas) was won by C AY Gilbert of Melbourne, the second (10C) guineas) was won by Mrs J. I Petrov Adelaide, and the third ot 50 guinea* by W, f„ Bowles, Brisbane.