DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. DR OM OR E TR AG ED Y. HODGSON CHARGED WITH MURDER. ASHBURTON, January 1(5. lit the Police Court, Robert Tyson Hodgson, an accountant at Ashburton appeared on a charge of murdering his nine-vear-old son, Frederick Tyson Hodgson at Diomorc on December 31. Thomas Hunter, .Manager of the Farmers’ C’o-operative said he knew no reason why accused should he worried as far as the business was concerned. Accused’s own financial position, as far as could be gathered, was quite satisfactory. Dr Conner said when lie met the motor bringing tlic accused to Ashburton, the latter said, ” They are

charging me with something, but 1 don’t know what.” On examination in the cell accused was muttering to himself. He did not reply when spoken to. Ilis temperature was normal, but his pulse and respiration were above normal, an unusual combination. Next morning witness found accused in a striking attitude with his head in the air. In his hands ho held with one a cup of tea and the other sandwiches. He was muttering; “ He brave!” He said he murdered the hoy, but could give no reason. ITe could give no account of his movements in the afternoon or evening, hut had a dim recollection of events after the murder.

' Edwin Longlev, farmer, said that, at 11 p.m. he saw Johnson holding the accused on tlic* road. The latter shook hands, saying: “Ask no questions, T did it.” At first, the accused was highly excited and then quietened down. He always seemed fond of the boy, was a sober man. and there was no sign of drink on him that night. James Maxwell, faint worker, said lie noticed nothing unusual about, the accused Mint dav, except that, lie was rather quiet. When taken to witness’ wharc the accused kept muttering, saying: “T thought that was the lies! thing I could do. I went and told my wife Marnl what I did.” Constable O’Grndv evidenced that the accused said: “1 know what you’ve come for. You’ve come for me. I killed Freddie. I cut his throat with a razor. You can take me. He repeated this several times. Witness asked Maxwell if the accused had been drinking and Hodgson said: “I might have had a drop.” Mr and Mrs .Johnson (the latter the accused’s sister-in-law) in evidence had little to add to the story.

The Coroner’s verdict was that Frederick Tyson Hodgson died as f Ik* result of wounds in the throat inflicted hy his father. Robert Tyson Hodgson, while in a stale of unsound mind. Mr Hunter, for the accused, intimated that the accused had nothing to say at litis stage. The Magistrate committed him for trial at Christchurch. BAND CONTEST. AUCKLAND, January 10. Matters in conned ion wilh the New Zealand championship hand contest to be. held in Auckland in February, are well iii hand. Very large entries have been received. Sixteen bands have entered for the A grade, seventeen for the B grade, and i* : *o for the C grade. In the other events the entries are unusually large. THE X F H.SI'.I! Y M F.N'S CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON. January 10. At the Nurserymen’s Conference, a resolution was passed recommending; that the Railway Department he approached regarding tin* making of a reduction in freights on pot plants, hailed plants and plants growing in soil, oil the lines of the reductions made in Australia.

Hegnrding i 1 1 f l)onntific:ltii)ii <> l' rnilwav stations, it was <]oci<lc<l to suggest tli at the Department appoint, a com potent advisor (one well versed in Xew Zealand plants') to advise what class of plants were suitable for each station, and direct: their culture. The ce.m rot it ion of the State Forest Service with private nurserymen was dismissed at the XursorymciTs Conference. A report submitted stated that the Nurserymen's Association had supported the inauguration of the lores! service oil the distinct understanding that it would not enter into competition with private growers. The C«o----vorninont, il was claimed, had not honoured that promise. The report proceeded : ‘'The increased sales boasted of were made at the* expense of reduction of tree planting of the State’s own reserves. Tn 1922 the number of trees planted in State lorestx was 1,911.170 and sales to the public and local bodies numbered 887.112. a total of 0.8.12.722. T' 1023 the intensive ■boost’ of State trees started, and as a result the number sold increased in 1923 tn 1,17.1,631. while the erviee’a own work of planting in State -oser-es was reduced by 1.170.111. and Dow stands at 3.781.030. a tutal of 1.200,001. Thus tin' net results are shown as pillows: Increase in sales 187,099, reduction in State tree planting for the same period 1.170.1-11." The report further stated that for every tree hv which the state's sales increased, nurserymen had two trees left over, most of which were destroyed; further that, as a result of another season's extensive campaign by the Forest. Service, nurserymen are left with at least two and a half million trees. The report contends that tire State’s polie.V has resulted in enormous economic waste, and whether intention-

ally or otherwise, the effect of such a policy tends to drive out the private trader and establish a. State monopoly. The question was discussed in committee. 'J he conference passed a Taranaki remit drawing attention to the rapid spread of diseases among bulbs, .util asking the Government to make regulations under which all who grew and sold bulbs must register and come under inspection. The following officials were elected .President, Mr Lonnie; North Island vieo-l’resident, Mr Benefield (Wanganui) ; South Island vice-president, Mr Christie (Dunedin). To-night, Air Ellis, Director of Forestry. attended the conference when the views of nurserymen with regard to State competition were explained at length. Mr Kill’s said that in 10)13 nurserymen supplied seven million trees, and the forest Service one million. He offered to discuss the question with a deputation, and this was arranged. DOMINION .SCHOOLS CRITICISED. AUCKLAND. January Jo. The he k of mil oral ilovolopinonl in New Zealand schools, when compared with ‘English educational institutions, was mentioned by Dr. .T. AY. M’Tlwitaith, inspector ’of schools, in an address to a School Teachers’ Association. In England, said Dr. M’llwraith, more time was devoted to art, music, songs and folk songs than was the case in New Zealand. .Kacli teacher, in addition to passing a common test, specialised in a particular subject; this was an advantage from the pupils’ point of view, and enabled them to receive instruction in en*lt subject from a teacher who was fullly qualified. Art training in New Zealand was defective, and more attention should he paid io tin* cultural and pleasurable side than was the ease. |>r. MMI wraith exhibited some of the work of English primary school children. including drawings and leatherwork from children so young that tin* work was little short of marvellous. Hoys were encouraged to design and make useful things. “KmJnlid.” the inspector concluded, ‘•is renewing her youth hy h*'i Schools.”