DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELKGRArii—I’EII TRESS ASSOCIATION'. OLD MAORI’S DEATH. GISBORNE. Dee. 15. The death occurred at Mataheru of I’aratcne Ngata. the father of the Hon A. F. Ngaa. aged between 70 and 30 years. I’aratcne Ngata was one of the foremost members of the famous Ngatiporoil Tribe, lie was a keen supporter of any movement to bring Maori land oil the Fast Coa-t under cultivation. He supported advanced ideas in farming. In the early days, the deceased was known throughout the North Island as a native agent and Land Court Assessor. 11 is wife prodeceased him many years ago. Deceased. who had been ailing for the last twelve months, leaves three sons. Renata. Hone, and the lion. Apiarana, M.P. STEAMER IN TItOFBI.E. AFC ELAND. Dec. 15. The small steamer Kawau. which left Auckland for Bluff on .Sunday, broke down in the llauraki Gulf, and was towed hack to port b.v a passing trawler. The Kawau is to lie used at BllilF as an oyster trawler. Her feed pumps broke down, and the engines stopped. The sea was rough, and the vessel was in. danger of drifting ashore on the Great Barrier. A good deal of repair work will he needed before the voyage is resumed. NEW ZEALAND’S DESTINY. WELLINGTON. December Hi. The Government tendered an otlieial welcome ye.slerdav to nine of the visiting chiefs from Western Samoa. Li the absence of the Prime Minister, through indisposition. Sir Francis Bell, presided over a large gathering, and in the course of his remarks in proposing the health of the visitors lie announced that the Government of New Zealnad has been requested by the British Government to take over control of the Union Islands, near Samoa. “I think.” said Sir Francis, “we will assume that is subject to the approval, of the I'arliameiit of the Dominion, and in that, as ill the case of Samoa and all our dependencies in the Pacific, we will relieve the British Exchequer of the charge of it. T believe it is the destiny of New Zealand to administer all tiie Island groups between Hawaii and New Zealand apart from those belonging to France.” DUNEDIN EXHIBITION’. DUNEDIN. December 15. At a meeting of the Directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company this afternoon, the question ol the postponement of the 'Exhibition, which lias been in the air (~,. some weeks, was totally disixiscd of. After the matter had been fully discussed, it was decided to carry on with the arrangements for opening, as originally intended, in November of next year. WOMAN KILLED. Cl I RISTCII UI’CI I, December 15. Charlotte .lane Torrents, a married woman, who resided in f hristclun eh, died in the hospital to-night as the result of concussion and shock due to a motor ear. in which she was riding, overturning. The ear. which was being driven by Mrs -lames Murphy, of Felidalton, skidded in some loose shingle on the road between Lincoln and l.adbronks, and became able and overturned. The three occupants were thrown out. Two escaped injury, hut Mis Torrents was burl as described, and died half an hour afier admission to the hospital. EOF. CONTEMPT OF COURT. DI'NFDIN. Dec. 15. .luhn Frederick I Innimerly. an oxinember of the Detective Force, was before the Court to-day on an adjourned hearing in respect to charges ol assault. and indecent language at Opolm on November 131 li. Ilammerly has been making frequent appearances in the Court, recently, and bis met boils ,3 conducting bis ov. o • s:v have sercielv tried the paten f I'“' 'lage|'rales. To <lav be was part ir.llarl.v trniihlesnlue. a id win'll lie iulnlined Ml 11. W. Bundle, who dim led him as to a line of quest inning, that the witness “was in his (I lammerly’s) hands.” Mr Bundle promptly committed him lor contempt of Court, and 11 is Worship inflicted a sentence of fourteen days imprisonment. Hainnicrly, lioucwi. pleaded that he was suffering from deafness, and had been treated bv a specialist. Thereupon His Worship reduced the sentence to one of -IS hours.

NATIVE LAND. COURT HOUSE. GISBORNE. December 15. The Native Land Department (lias purchased the Cosmopolitan Club building al the price of £5,250 for the purpose of a Native Land Court. FLOURMTLLKRS’ CASE.

JUDGMENT FOR DEFENDANTS DUNEDIN. Dec. 18. In the case of the Crown v. Distributors’ Ltd. and other llour-millers. Justice Sim this morning delivered judgment for defendants. THEFT OF RINGS. PALMERSTON X.. Dec. 18. At the Magistrate’s Court, a smartly dressed negro youth. Albert Mori ruder. was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence for limit, ol two diamond rings from a local jeweller s simp. Accused lmd entered the shop to have bis spectacles repaired, and during the absence of a girl m oic workshop had taken two rings. Counsel said accused was filling an important role in a travelling company, and bis lapse was doe to a nervous breakdown. HON T>. STEWART'S STATEMENT. DUNEDIN. December 10. The Hon. I). Stewart, asked whether the Government would continue its representation at Wembley, said it "as practically certain the pavilion would he reopened.' but the Government- bad made arrangement with a view to insuring the Dunedin Exhibition would be prejudiced as slightly as possible. ManyNew Zealand exhibits at Wembley can be duplicated at Dunedin.

salamax sentenced. AUCKLAND. Dec. 10. Abraham Walley Mohaincd Saalman was sentenced to one month's imprisonment bv Mr Boynton S.M.. on charges of attempting to receive ■money by false pretences. For fnlslvy pretending to be a doctor skilled in the treatment of physical diseases and ailments he was convicted and ordered to pay costs. OBITUARY. AUCKLAND. Dec. 10. Miss Agnes Stewart, the successful plaintiff ill an action for damages against Snlaman. an Indian herbalist, died last night. DUTY ON DREDGE parts. GISBORNE. December 10. When the Harbour Board’s new dredge was leaving .Melbourne the Commonwealth authoril.es completed the dismantlement of the buckets and ladder. These had to be shipped .« Now Zealand in another vessel and the Government is now claiming duty on this material. The Board urges that as the buckets and ladder are part of the dredge they should not. under the circumstances be assessed.

dwelling destroyed. BLENHEIM. December lt>. a five roomed dwelling at Blenheim was gutted by fire last night, nothing t1011 ., r saved. The insurance is 4-oUO on the house, in the Standard Office, but the furniture is uninsured.