DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

IIY TELECRAra —TllF-SS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. 011 KOOKS RKPODIATKD. AOCIvLAX'I), September 17. A hazards school figured prominently in it claim for RlO As, brought by AY. J. Burman, motor-mechanic, against A\\ B. Robinson, horse-dealer, before .Air AA'. R. McKean, 5..A1.. The claim was repudiated as a gambling debt. I’laintilf said thitt he had taken over from a man named Simons, in June four cheques each of CIO. They had been given to Simons hy defendant and were dishonoured. Dave Simons deposed that he met defendant in it gambling school, when the latter was not having the best oT lock. AYitness cashed four CHI cheques for him and later he paid the cheques to plaintiff, who knew nothing of the origin of the cheques and was not- at the school. Defendant stilted that on the night that lie gave Simons the cheques he had lost about C'7o. lie bet Smith for a ,C"2 and a L'A throw of the dice. These were higher stakes than he was in the habit of'phiying for. AA lien the amount he was losing at the time was less than CIO lie received the difference in cash. AYitness was certain that phiimilf was at the school that evenin'', there were between twenty and and thirty present. Hi* said the hank would not pay out tut the cheques, as his account was overdrawn, lie lost to Loth Simons and plaintilf that evening. Subsequently he derided not to meet the cheques. The claim was dismissed.

DI'XKDIX EXHIBITION. DFXKDIX, September 17. The lirst of the Government's contribution to the International Exhibition came to baud this morning—a cheque for C12.001>. this lieiiig half of the sum promised by the Prime Minister. FOUND DROAYXKD. KOTORUA, September 17. A. K. Collier, of Auckland, was found drowned in a bath at AAairakei last night. It is understood that deceased was a hroUier-in-hnv of .the Rev lihimires, ol Nelson. A POSITION DECLINED. AYELLIXGTOX, September 17. In connection with a telegram Imm Dunedin, stating that -Miss Thurston, matron of Pukerora Sanatorium, AYaipukuran. had been appointed matron „f Dunedin Hospital, it is now announced that Miss Thurston has declined the position.

HELP FOR MOTHERS. WELLINGTON. Sept. IS

A deputation from the Mothers’ Help Division in AVellington to-day asked the Prime Minister for the work which now occupies six helpers, in assisting (he mothers of small children. Koine vears ago the Government made a grant of Cld. hut this was withdrawn during the financial' st ringem y. ’The Society considered that. though lhe work at present is only carried mi in Wellington, it is ol a national character. Mr Massey agreed that the Society is lining exeeih'iit work in a quarter wheie it is urgently needed, lie promised jo recommend tlie inclusion ol a grant in the Supplementary Estimates, but he could not. sav yet vhnt the mum; p t would he. SENTENCES IMPOSED. AVELLINGTON. September I*. Two prisoners appeared at the Supreme Court for sentence this morning. Claude Charles Brinsley, on a charge of defrauding a business firm which had formerly employed him as branch manager, was sentenced to reformative detention for a period not exceeding two years. Norman Hugh Nicholson, for an assault on a little girl, at Greytoivn, was sentenced to three years reformative detention.

(WRKI.K** AIAORL CISRORNE, Hop ton 1 1 ie r 17. At To Karaka I’nlico Court, Magistrate l.ovvov lined a -Maori, nainoil IV a rot a Winiata. Lid with costs, for moving two horses from, a cattle-tick iiir<*sl<■<l aroa into a (loan aroa, witli,,ut having tho animals dipped, ami obtaining a porinil. MAN K I LLED. ELTIiA.M, September 17. Through his .sack apron catching in a revolving main shaft ilrivo at i .10 to-day at Egnnmt Box Coy, William 11 arty. .'Ci, married with two young children was thrown hack against tho wall which hi- head struck and ho was killed instantly.

ROY |.MAI I(WANTS. PA I.Ai ERSTON N„ September IS. •_>ll hoys arrived yesterday for Hock house estate, in charge of Gunn, ..(slant secretaary ol London A.AI.C.A. who was enthusiastic in his praise ol the inion I nindgratioii Department i„ K.edand. He said the oliicnds at Home had a wonderful human sale about their dealings.

PilC OPIUM CATCH

Aloßi: ON S.S. Si HsEX

CIIRISTCHURt 11. Sept. 18

As the result ol a search by All I. Reynolds (Customs Seaiclier) at Lyttelton, a further 117 tins of opium, valued at LIHt), were found in the steamer Sussex in the cabin of the Chinese carpenter in the ship, who is now in custody in Wellington, on a charge <4 smuggling. The total value of the ol inm seized now reaches £1G.)(I. .Noticing that the two drawers under the hunk would not pull right out, hut stuck a lew inches iroin the end, All Reynolds took the titling to pieces. Neatly fitted into the rear of each drawer were tins of opium, resembling in slia'io pocket torches, lhe find Mill be forwarded to Wellington to-morrow. CANTERBURY - K NTK R L‘ RIS E. CHRISTCHURCH, September 18. The Canterbury Mowing Association decided to-night to apply for this beacon’s ebampinship regatta. boss OF CIVIL RIGHTS. GISBORNE. Sept. 17. Before iwo Justices of the Peace at Gisborne. .Tames Seal appeared on a charge cf failing to register, as re.iui ed by the Defeme Act. Henic.r-Sergt. Fitzpatiirk said the defendant had not registered at all, and was now over the age limit, and would not have to sene. 'Defendant said lie was a slaughterman, and worked at various places. To the Bench, he admitted lie was aware that lie had to register. During the past vear lie worked at tho Hawke s Bay. Waipaon, and Hieks Bay freezing works. In the previous year lie was in Australia. He admitted lie had been living in Gisborne about eight or nine years. The Bench said: “You have practically evaded service for three years. Therefore you will be deprived of your

civil rights for The same period, amt also will be fined £1 and costs. UNFAIR COM PETITION. AG A TXST TC IBACC'ON I STS. WELLINGTON, September IS. A deputation of retailers and wholesalers in the tobacco industry waited on Mr Massey and Ml' Anderson to-day. with a request Unit special legislation he enacted witli reference to the sale of tobacco, cigarettes, etc. They urged that all tobacconists should he licensed, and that all shops dealing in tobacco, cigarettes he required to close at the same hour as the tobacconists. The deputation did not ask for a monopoly, but for free competition upon equal terms. Tobacconists were suffering a distim t liaidsliip tbn iigli tlie illicit trading done by many who sold tobacco etc., as a side-line. Mr Anderson thought it was possible that something could he done in the direction of licensing tobacconists. Air Massey said that without fully considering the matter, it appeared to him that tobacconists had a grievance. The requests seemed rc.sona'dc, and might lie given effect to.

DIA’ORCE GRANTED. WELLINGTON. Sept. IS.

After a hearing lasting some days llis Honour. Mr Justice McGregor grunted a decree nisi to Arthur Blatelier, who sought, a divorce from his wife on the grounds of adultery, with Hayden Algar, a well-known resident. Evidence was given that the responden and the co-respondent had stayed at. the United Service Hotel, Christchurch. as .Air and Mrs Algar. llis Honour, in summing up. made caustic comments on tlie conduct of the co-respondent, who, he said, had not gone into the box and refuted the charges, if. as alleged hy counsel they were false; but bad sat and smiled as (•hough the whole thing was a variety show, lie awarded £2OO damages to plaintiff. A motion was made for a new trial. POSTAL MEN'S PROTEST. DUNEDIN. Sept. 18. A largely attended meeting of the local Brunch of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association held tonight carried the following resolution: “That, in view of the proposed reduction of land and income tax, approximating £BOO,OOO. this Section emphatically protests against the action of the Government in its further reduction of the taxation on the prosperous classes, whilst .at; the same time the wages of its servants are being forced down to a hare snbsistance basis ; that this section expresses indignation at the attempts of the Postmaster-General to stitle any expression of opinion in the Service hy attaching a stigma of disloyalty to those who take an active part in urging the rightful claims of Hie rank and file of the Department.” AUCKLAND SENTENCES. DUNEDIN, Kept. 10. At the Supremo Court. Henry .Tames Roskill for an unnatural offence, was sentenced to A years reformative treatment.

John Sclwyii Matthews, aged 10, a Maori, for breaking and entering by night, received A years’ reformative treatment.