DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] .PRESS UNION .MEETS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union there were twenty-three members present. The report emphasised the importance to New Zealand of a high power wireless station. Jt also alluded to the fact that the Empire Press Union would hold its Conierence in Australia next year, and that some of the members would visit New Zealand. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £3B. In the absence of Sir George Fenwick. Mr C. Earle presided, and read the address written by Sir Geo. Fenwick. which dealt exhaustively with the subject of wireless communication.

Sir George Fenwick was re-elected chairman, the retiring committee being re-elected. NEXT GENERAL ELECTION. WELLINGTON, Feb. 10 It was authoritatively stated to a “Times” representative that a second deputation had waited upon Mr R. L. Wigley, of the Hermitage, Mount Cook, with a view to his standing as a candidate for Parliament at the next general election for one ot the South Canterbury scats.

SERVING A WRIT. BAILIFF’S EXCITING TIME. NEW PLYMOCTH, Fob. 19. A case which Mr Justice Reed said was fortunately very rare in New Zoaiancl occupied the attention of the Supreme Court to-day, when Bertha Kate Richmond, married, was charged with committing mischief and aggravated assault.

When a baililf bisited the accused’s farm at Midhurst to execute a writ ot sale, she* went into hysterics and. seizing a hammer, smashed the paino, furniture, windows, motor-car wind screen, lamps, and the bailiff’s motor*] lorry. She also chased the bailiff, who was caught in a fence, the inteivention of a police constable saving him. Accused pleaded not guilty.

Medical evidence was given that at the time accused would be in such a state that .she would not know what she was doing and that when she recovered would not recollect the events.

Eater a plea of guilty was substii tiled, the Judge remarking that this was a wise course. If the jury had returned a verdict ol tint guilty on the ground of insanity, he would have bad to commit accused to an institution. tor which lie did not think that she was a lit case. Accused was admitted to two years’ probation and ordered to pay the costs.

EDUCATION ACTIVITIES. AUCKLAND, Feb. 19. The suggested -'hem- for united control of a>l educational activities in inrgo •, [iv. u> vas again referred to by the Minister nf Education at Hamilton vestci'da’- . Money was being "'listed, said Mr Parr, through giving the wroii; education to boys. He was s.k isfied that a great many boys were little more than wasting their lime jtl high schools. The bov who was Hull there would probably do well at a technical anil manual training school. The best way was to have all schools —primary, technical anti high schoois —under one unified control with

stroiig -unified finance. Such a scheme was being brought about at New Pljvtnou tl?. All-Oho local authorities were in agreement on the point. Ho v.-;,- satisfied that unified control could be established.

HIGH Fl!i( 17 OF TURNIPS. DUNEDIN, Feb. 19. Turnips are going to lie very deal in the ( lutlia district this winter. Aire tidy as much as £2O an acre lot eating off purposes has been offered lor good crops at liicbclutlia. The oilers were refused, owners anticipating that in view of the shortage, the price- "ill go still higher.

CIVIL ENGINEERS. DUNEDIN, Feb. 19.

The annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers opened this morning. Mr F. AA . Fur-kc-ri presiding. The delegates, Yh«attended from all parts ot the Dominion, were welcomed by the Mayor. The new president chosen is Mr A. Dudley Dobson, Christchurch. It was decided to bold the next conference at Christchurch. A collection was taken up in the room to meet the liability oil the Society's Moleswortli street properly, C 333 being subscribed, the Dunedin representative on the Council topping the list with £3O.

WAIKKEIA PRISON. AUCKLAND. Feb. 19

“Out of the 329 men in Mount Edon, gaol to-day.” said Mr J. Stewart, official visitor to the Auckland prisons, at the Rotary Club yesterday, “no less than 00 per cent have had a secondary education and some arc University men.” Dealing with the institutions now operating for the assistance of men who have fallen temporarily into evil ways, -Mr Stewart told of an Oxford B.A. who. after having served a term in prison. is now living a clean and straight life in the country thanks to the assistance given to him by the officers of the Prisons Department, and is now making more money than ever he made in his lite.

Mr Stewart also referred to tlie reformatory work being done in the North Island by the Waikeria institution and in the South Island by the Borstal institution for young offenders at Invercargill- W aikeria prisoners, lie said, broke in 17-10 acres of land in the vicinity of the institution, and last season they milked a dairy herd of ‘2OO rows, the returns of butter-fat from which yielded £3500. The aim of the authorities was to enable these men to become useful farmers on their discharge. The idea was to get as many of them as possible to take up virgin land in the back country. At present the inmates of W aikeria were breaking in a large block of new land on the shore of Lake Taupo.

YOUNG GIBB'S SUICIDE. AUCKLAND. February 20

A voting girl, 35 years of age, Mam Harkings, was found lying dead at her hr me with a gas tube in her mouth. The girl, who resided with her parents at Newton, was seen .alive by her father at "ten o’clock this morning. when she appeared to be in her usual health and spirits. On entering the kitchen of his*home at 12.10 p.m.. Mr Harkings found his daughter lying on the fleor with the gas tube in her mouth. Br. Hastings was immediately summoned, but he could only pronounce

life extinct. No reason is known why the girl should have desired to take her life.

GIRL’S FATAL FALL. WELLINGTON, February 20. A girl was found lying at the foot of a cliff at Lyall Bay this morning. She was unconscious when discovered, but was breathing. She died shortly afterwards. Evidently the girl lmd fallen over the cliff shortly before she was found. Site was about 25 years of age. There L no clue as to her identity. BODY IDENTIFIED. WELLINGTON, February 21. The body of the girl discovered tit the foot of a cliff at Lyall Bay has been identified as Olive Jubilee Scott, residing at Kilbiinie. Her relatives state that she was in the habit of taking long walks, and surmised that she fell over the cliff during such an outing.

0 OVER XOR-GI7XERAL. VISIT TO AAEST COAST. AUCKLAND, Feb. 2) Lord Jcllicoe will reach Westport by motor, through the Duller Gorge, on March Sth. going to Reef ton and Greymoulh on the 11th. A'isits to the mines near Reefton and Grey month are being arranged.

I.aily Jcllicoe, and the Hon. Lucy •Icllicne will join Lord Jcllicoe at Greymouth on March 13th, proceeding with him to Hokitika, Ross, and the Franz Josef Glacier, where they arrive on .March 1 lilt. Their Excellencies return Lo Christchurch on March 18th.

NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. At the annual conference of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association (incorporated), held to-night, the President. ’.Mr 0. AV. Earle) occupied the chair. In considering the restrictions placed on newspapers llironglt the operation of the Gaining Act, ihe conference passed the following resolutions :

That this meeting, representing all of the newspapers proprietors of New Zealand, strongly urges the repeal of all of tlie restrictions on the publication of racing information, on the

grounds that (1) the restrictions ate an unwarranted interference with the publication of legitimate news; -2) the amounts of dividends are published on racecourses, and arc readily ascertained in any town in the D.million. (3) Although the publicituvn of the order of favouritism of starters in a horse race is not illegal, the Telegraph Department has refused the transmission of messages giving such order. (1) No evidence is procurable showing that the publication or racing information has encouraged bolting. There is no evidence that the suppression of racing news has had the effect of reducing gambling. IT) Ou the other hand, gambling has undoubtedly increased since the restrictive rules were enforced, and there is some reason to believe that the in-

n-case has been due, in a measure, to the fact that the dissemimutm of racing information lias been highly organised underground.

ELDERLY MAN’S FALL. GISBORNE, February 20. While attempting to ride a bicycle this morning, over a narrow footbridge crossing Manga papa Creek, on the outskirts of Gisborne, Captain Gustal' Deter Salvander overbalanced and fell fifteen feet. Apparently ho crawled up the bank but died of injuries and shock. Deceased was 71. years of nee, and was for seventeen years Captain of the dredge John Townley. He bad lived there !G years.

.MURRAY’S SUICIDE. (TTRISTCHTRCIT, February 20. A verdict that death was due to asphyxiation, caused by Murray committing suicide by banging himself, was returned at the inquest on the convict. Daniel Murray, held at Paparua Ore' Ibis afternoon. A letter was produced, addressed to Miss Banghau, stating Murray’s intention to commit suicide.

A mysterious AFFAIR. AYELI.TNGTON. Feb. 21

Alystery surrounds an incident which occurred in a pastrycook shop in Hopper Street. A young woman attendant is alleged to have been rendered unconscious by all unknown man wlm l-aided ihe till and walked out with loose cash to the value of fifteen shillings. The girl "as attending to the shelves when she felt a sharp blow at rl-r bm k of one ear. Her back being turned to the counter, she did not see l-er assailant. The matter was referred to the police. It is stated that when the girl was examined by a doctor no marks of violence could be found and it was suggested that she may have merely fainted and not been assaulted, 'flint theory, however, does not account for the disturbed till and missing cash.

EMPIRE EXHIBITION. LONDON, February 19. On behalf of the Empire Exhibition U-’c Prince of Wales is wirelessly broadcasting his speech on March 18, which it is hoped, will be picked up by America and the Dominions.

N.Z. ATHLETES RETURN. AA r ELLINGTON, February 19.

Yesterday, the New Zealand Athletic team, on returning from Hobart championships were accorded a, civic " elcome, and congratulated by various speakers on their splendid performance. It is .stated that if AViison and McKenzie were available for the contests, New Zealand would have probably won the Shield. .Air Mellolm (manager) said Wilson was progressing. The performances of Rose (who won the mile and three mile run in splendid style), and of Tracey (the sprinter), and Munro at d Mellolm in the field events, were particularly impressive.

mvcmcii suit. WEIJJNfiTOX. February £O. Til tiie divorce ca.se. known as the I’iiie Noodles ease, for the reason that file petitioner, Alice Maud Ker. first oecnnte suspicious ol her liusbaud s infidelity through finding pine needles in his liair. the jury found the lespnndent l ad committed adultery with some unknown woman. 51 r Mazenparh. for petitioner. asked for a decree, hut this (Unction wc.s reserved by His Honour, vvno also reserved the question of restitution proceedings. Arguments on these points will take, place later.