DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

DT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPT7IIGBT. ARBITRATION COURT. WELLINGTON, Aug. 21 Ibo Arbitration Court concluded its sittings in Wellington to-day and leaves for Wanganui and New Plymouth on .Monday. The Court will be engaged in those areas for some time and is not expected to return to Wellington before November. R.S.A. CRITICISM. j STATEMENT BY .MINISTER. I WELLINGTON, Aug. -J2 Ihe Hon A. D. McLeod, .Minister of Lands, referring to the criticism hy the Returned Soldiers' Association with regard lo his remarks during the financial debate in Parliament, said that In' would be very sorry to attempt. in any way, to belittle the good work done by the Association regarding. and perhaps in other matters of Dominion importance. affecting thereturned soldiers. It was more in respect to individual matters covering land difficulties brought lie fore him, both as a member and as the .Minister, that lie felt sufficient inquiries were : not made before representations were ; forwarded to the official quarter.

“Whether it is for the reason that the purposes for which the Associations were first set up, have already been solved, or that they do not nowserve the purpose first intended, 1 do not know, but, I do know that it is only with extreme dillieiilty and continuous w hipping I hat life and interest is being instilled into the doings of the great bulk of associations in questinli,” said the lion McLeod.

As the present controversy ranged around the question of the resusieitation of the special borrowing privileges, more particularly housing, the Minister said he proposed to make a statement at an early dale which, he believed. would go a long way to show Hint his opinion expressed in the House wits not as unfounded as I lie public were being asked to believe. WAIKATO FARMERS PROSPF.ROIS HAMILTON, Aug. 22. The Farmers Auctioneering Co. lias declared a dividend of three per cent on ordinary shares for the six monthly period. This is taken as an indication ol the improved posit ion ol the farming community, as it is the first dividend paid since the slump years. O FIFTY OF THEFT'. J I WANGANUI, August 22. | A young man Lionel Edward Noseo. ; who had been (hiving a baker's cart j for William Palmer pleaded guilty to j tlielt of £lt>! 7s lfltil the funds of his j employer. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. SIR WALTER BUCHANAN'S ESTATE. MASTKRTON. Aug. 22. Sir Walter Buchanan's -.'state has lift'll sworn a I C-1.T2.U8H. There are no public bequests. The money is left to his nephews and nieces, with the exception of one small bequest to an employee. A MATRIMONIAL TANGLE. NOVEL DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS. AUCKLAND. Aug. 22 i A matrimonial complication was j dealt with bv Mr Justice Reed at tlu'j .Supreme Court when he gave a decision in an undefended divorce case f w hich was followed bv an application j for a decree of nullity of the marriage, j The same man was respondent in both ' petitions. !

Elizabeth Webber sought dissolution of her marriage with .Mark Webber, a labourer, of Auckland, on the grounds nl adultery, the man bat in;; gone lhmugli a lotto ol marriage willi Mari Finlay. Khardie. widow. The last mentioned also sought the annuling of her marriage with Webber. .Ill's Webber staled her marriage look place in IS!I!I and there were three children, two being alive. Webber left her with the children years ago and she heard from the police that he hail since gone through a lorm of marriage with another woman.

..Is Sliardie stated that she went through a form of marriage with Webber on Sent. 20th, 1022, and alter livill.r willi her lor about a mouth In* deserted .

A private inquiry agent stated that when he mid Webber that his wife was instituting divorce proceedings, he asked which one and witness rcpliei. both of them. Mrs Khardie was presoul and turning to her he said: "'I his is your little game: you have set a trap for me.”

His Honour granted a decree ni'i to Mrs Webber and granted -Mrs Sliardie a decree absolute lor the nullity of tin* marriage, with costs on the lower scale against the respondent. The two women 1 1 *ll the Court together. GOVERNOR AT GISBORNE. GISBORNE. Aug. 22 Lord .lellicoe. who is making a farewell visit to Gisborne, attended a civic reception this morning, lie will . hi* entertained at several local Inactions |,i-dav and to-morrow. Ihe wcathci is jxloriously iim*. WELLINGTON COURT NEWS. i AUCKLAND. Aug. 22. \t tie* Pel ice Court John E. Small was fined £SO for removing timber Irom a .Sortbrute timber reserve. the Magistrate remarking that the maximum penalty wa- £ 1 00. George Haven!. for hung while in charge of a taxi which he wadriviii" without, the owners permission. and for the theft of a rug. waso,itemed to one month’s gaol on each charge.