DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN , COPYRIGHT CONTRACT I'tlß HARBOR. OfSBORXK. November 20. A contract lias been let by the Tolaga May Harbour Hoard for the construction of a wharf and the tunnel approach thereto for £00,380. E. Goodman being the contractor. SUICIDE MY POISONING. AUCKLAND, November B<i. The coroner returned a verdict el suicide by poisoning, at the inquest- oil Arthur Edward Valley, aged 17. engineer, found dead in a bedroom by bis wife on Tuesday night. It was slated ill the evidence that he was married last May and was of a cheerful disposition. TWO YEARS HARD. INVERCARGILL November 20. Leonard Mount Muddle, a farmer, vs found gully of the manslaughter of Howard Vincent Cole who was knocked oil" his bicycle by the accused's car and was sentenced by Mr Justice Sim to two years’ hard labour. Counsel for the dofciuc outlined tlie mitigating ciieuiiistuin os and asked for probation. Mr Justice Sim said it was impossible for him to give probation, but considering the circumstances he would mke the punishment a.s light a.s possible. AN INTERESTING SUIT. PALMERSTON X.. November 80. All action of interest to local bodies and drainage river hoards in particular claimed the attention of the Supreme Court. James Kyle, a farmer of Uitzherhert East, proceeded against the Palmerston North River Board, seeking a motion for a writ of mandamus ordering the defendant to ilosifv rateable land and seeking a writ of iiipim tior. to restrain defendant from billing payment cf tales. Plaoi'.dl t 'ut (bat. defendant bad demanded rates from liitu totalling over £ll and bad issued a summons for name but prior to levying tile rate, llm Ibiic.l • id lot (lassifv the rateable land in its district. in ae - ol’ilaiiee with the Act. Plaintiff in consequence alleged that he had no opportunity to object to th" rating of his propelly. lie t beret ore - lainied writs as stated. The Hoard set out lien the rate was duly and properly struck in accordance with the Acts, and denied hating failed to classify the land or denied plaintiff an opportunity to object. Fbe classification ol tie.' land was made by Palmcrstnn-Kairaiiga Liver Boatd. prior to being abolished by virtue ol the provisions of the Reserves and other lands disposal public bodies Empowering Mill. 1020. The defendant Hoard was entitled to levy rates according to such classification. Plaintiff had ample opportunity to object (o the rating. Counsel stated the parties had agressl to most- of tiio {twin. Whal rv'lll anissj was legal argument as to tin’ rights of classifit at b •• alluded to in the- statements of claim and defence.

ADJOURNED SUGGESTED. PALMERSTON N-. Nov. 20. Til the Kyle ease his Honour suggested the ease he adjourned till next session to enable the delrlidant l.oanl to reclassify the nlaintiH'"s land alone when the latter will have the right to appeal to the Magistrate if be deemed the classification unsatisfactory. Plaintiff's rates would then I diusted on the basis of the nepeul which also would serve as a guide in t actions of others similarly interested. This was •i roc** 1 to.

AN OPIUM DEN. CHINAMAN El NED CBO. PA I AIERSTOX X. Nov. 20. At the Police Court. Sue Ivwotig. a Chinese restaurant keeper, was charged with being in possession ol uncustomed goods, opium in a form suitable for smoking: also being found smoking onium. lie pleaded guilty on the iirsT elianre. hut denied the second. The , xhillit in the ease included a coinplotsmoking outfit. < •usuprisi scales for weighing the drug and other apparatus. The charges were the soqii”l to a raid on the premises kept hv the defendant. onsteiisihly as a restaurant. I leteel ive Holmes in asking for a substantial r-emilty. said the accused came from Wanganui at the instignaI ion of what a n non red to Is* a symhc*»tr. Twi) moiiills iigo promises m David StriH't wore loiisf.nl uml it upgeared that the place had been fitted un as a gaming house ami opium den. The premises bore en the window a siren that Sue Kivong was a merchant. Put witness had seldom seen till* dool open. Onlv a few articles of merclpiiidise were displayed. Ihe hack enirauee was wired up and all precautions taken against a surprise vi>it. No doubt a regular system had been carried out. The defendant was fined £io in default three months’ hard labour on the first charge and £o. in default- two months hard labour on the second charge.