DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[ilY TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION. UNT.A WIT LEY ON RACECOURSE. AUCKLAND, January 9. Complaint that he had been continually han-assed by the police, accompanied by vociferous condemnations of British justice, characterised the defence submitted by Maurice Tangnoy when three charges of having been unlawfully on racecourses were preferred against him at the Police Court before Mr Boynton. The accused made application for an adjournment upon the excuse that he wished to obtain advice from the Now Zealand Racing Con fere nee with regard to the withdrawal of the bar against his visitation of race meetings. Chief-Detective Cummings opposed the application saving there was no possibility of accused being admitted to a course. He had been warned, hut was apparently determined to defy the police. Detective Knight said that when he questioned accused at a race meeting Tangnoy said he hoped a prosecution would ensue, as he would like an opportunity to discuss his previous convictions'. "Witness said that heavy smoked glass goggles worn by accused on the course seemed to obstruct his vision and he raised them In witness the rates. Accused asked for permission to review" his position, and, receiving the assent of the magistrate, he produced a written statement from which he quoted. He said he approved of the gaming regulations in so far as they forbid thieves and “hookies” to visit races. He was of opinion that “mice a thief always a thief.” but failed to see why his conviction for false pretences should place him in the same class. Referring to his conviction he described the treatment meted out to him as “a disgrace to the British Empire.’’ Hr Boynton: You are no friend of the British Empire. Chief-Detective Cummings: He has forgotten to refer to his conviction for assault on women. Accused: “I am financially independent and don't want the detective pestering me. ; Mr Boynton : You have got a wrong impression. You will he lined .£'2o on each of the first two offences and convicted and discharged upon the third. ; Accused: May 1 have time to pay , the fines? . Chief-Detective Cummings: He has assured the court of his financial iiide- , pondcnce. Mr Poynton: No time allowed. Default. one month’s imprisonment.

IRON PRODUCTS. NELSON, January 10. Information has been received here that the Government have decided to increase the bonus per ton oil Onahaka iron from 12s (Id to 30s. 'lbis will enable tile Company to compete suecossfullv with iron produced by coloured labour in ether countries. The Company has made many improvements tending to more economical handling of its products. In addition to pigiron, it is anticipated the tiianulaeture of iron pipes, etc., will he undei taken in the near future. The Railway Department and practically every founder in the Dominion have expressed their willingness to use Onakaka products.

ASSAULT ON GIRL. PALMERSTON X.. Jan. 10. At the Police Court. Charles Royal Porter, a hotel porter, was charged, with assaulting a little girl aged seven, at Marlon yesterday, and was leiilouced to one months’ hard labour. Ih father of the child left her in the ladies' wailing room ol the Marlon station for a monent. when the accused called her away, and then lead her to the racecourse, where lie struck her „„ tile head, knocking her down. The child screamed. I lie accused ran awa\. Returning to the station, the child informed her father, wlm later saw the the accused enticing another girl away. The accused, on arrest, said lie could not remember the occurrence. IN PANTILE PARALYSIS. WELLINGTON. January 10. The latest infantile paralysis returns indicate that, as far as Wellington is com erned, the position is impiov iug. No eases were notified on Pridnv, and onlv one on Saturday. T|.<> Health Ollicial states it is Imped that the peak of the trouble has been passed. Such epidemics are always at their worst in hot weather, and as there are still some months of hot weather ahead, the authorities are not entirely easy. The epidemic has disclosed no unusual features.