DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION

THE A'ESTEY PURCHASE,

MR LYSNAR’S CORRESPONDENCE

AVELLIXGTON, Feb. i).

Before the Meat Commission, Mr Lysnar strongly opposed the demand for the production of his correspondence with the Bank of Scotland ever the Admiral Codrington, which be claimed had nothing to do with the inquiry. It was confidential information and he protested against its getting into the hands of “people considered to be our enemies.” Mr Skcrrott, who appeared for the Meat Producers’ Board, said that Air Lysnar bad represented, over and ever again that he had funds ready to run the ship. “We know that statement is untrue.” Mr Lysnar: Prove it. As Mr Lysnar still continued lo object, Sir John Findlay, appearing for the Government, said that lie would take out a formal process for production and serves 'it on Mr Lysnar on March 17th., and if he did not obey he would be liable to a heavy penalty. Mr Lysnar agreed to this and then raised die question of whether \ estey’s would he represented. The chairman said that the Commission could not give any undertaking to adjudicate on matters tho details of which were not before them. Ihe question would have to stand over l ut Vestey’s would he notified that the Commission was sitting.

Mr Lysnar said that if the Commission could not go into it, he would have to take a very serious view of the situation.

The Chairman: There may he varying opinions about that. Tho Commission adjourned to March 17th. at Wellington. POISON IN PANCAKES. AUCKLAND, Feb. 3. A sensational affair is reported from Western Samoa, a whole family being poisoned. Eleven persons partook of some pancakes which contained oxalicacid and had to he taken to the hospital for treatment. Three of the children are dead, and the condition of the fourth is causing anxiety.

Details of the tragedy show that a black hoy who was a servant of Mr and Airs C. S'nndnll, of Fagalii plantation, Aipa, made some pancakes, which were partaken of by the family. AA hetlicr the poison was given by a neighbouring Chinese or not is not known, but the fac;i is clear that in making the pancakes the cook used salts of lemon (which contains onxlic acid) and that for breakfast all members of tbe family partook of tbe cakes. >, Before 9 o’clock the sufferers were all in hospital. At 2 p.m. the same (lav the death occurred of Mary A nodal 1, aged (i years; the next latality was Joseph, aged 2 years, who died at 4 p.m.: and at 9.30 that night tile third victim. Otto, aged 1 years, succumbed.

Altogether eleven members of the household were affected, those outside Ihe family being the conk hoy, two Samoan hoys and a little Samoan girl. Fortunately the other members affected have made good progress, and little Grace A'andall is now the only sufferer who is causing anxiety. The rest of the family and servants, including the two parents are still in tho hospital by latest reports.

NAVY LEAGUE. DUNEDIN, February 11. At the Navy League Conference, a. letter of welcome to Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson was drawn up. The following remits were carried:— The League congratulates the British Government on its intention to proceed with the base at Singapore, and urges the New Zealand Government to give every support to the project, moral and financin I. ‘‘That the development of coastal defence measures for the Dominion be ( again urged upon the Government.”

“That all branches of the Navy League throughout New Zealand shall fittingly celebrate the anniversary of the Rattle of Jutland, and that the Navy League respectfully suggests to the Government certain days as red ■ letter daw, lor 1 a Inti ng the Flag a l schools, and a lalk or lesson on the ceremony.” The conference decided that tho next Conference be held at Dunedin during the Exhibition. U was decided to congratulate the Government upon having taken definite steps towards providing a naval reserve force for local defence. ROOKAIAKFR FINED. AUCKLAND. February 11. On two ebarges uf laving totalisator odds on the. AYellingtou races, David Jones was lined £ll9 in the t’olico Court.

Chioi'-'Detentive Cummings described him as being ‘‘in a- medium way of business,” and said he always paid ‘2os in the £.

ANGLICAN SvNOI). DUNEDIN, February 11. The Anglican Genera! Synod resolved: “Tha.l the Synod respectfully requests Archbishop Julius to continue in dice as Archbishop and Primate, until the twentieth day of April next, on which date his resignation of the See of Christchurch will take effect.” Tile Primate returned thanks, saying that he would he very happy to carry on It was further resolved that the Synod refers the question of the possibility to provide pensions, based on actuarial principles for missionaries of the church to the Board of Missions, and the standing eommtitee of the General Synod, with power to act.

AID BY WIRELESS. AUCKLAND, February 11. Since a wireless telephone, the first of its kind in New Zealand, has been installed at the Mansion House at Kawau, it has proved of great convenience to the general public and to shipping. Recently the Government launch, en route to various lighthouses with mails, had occasion to use the station. The launch was compelled to call in at Ivawau to shelter at two o’clock in the morning on its way to call relief from the mainland to a case of sickness, the lighthouse keeper at Cuvier Island being seriously ill. Had the plant not been installed it would have meant serious delay, owing to the fact that the nearest telephone was a considerable distance off. As it was, immediate connection was made with the authorities in Auckland, and ft steamer was despatched to the light-house without delay.

Recently the Kawau station spoke to a steamer off Lyttelton heads, a distance of 550 miles. It is stated that the speech was as clear as if talking through the telephone.

THE SIEYWRTGHT CASE. DECISION RESERVED. 'WELLINGTON, Fob. U. The hearing of the ease brought In •T. D. Sievw right against the, Wellington Bowling Club ended in the Judge resvering his decision. He indicated that he would hold that the articles of association were ultra vires, and plaintiff had been a member of the club. Ire also expressed doubt as to whether •• rules had been strictly complied with by the committee.

CHILD’S SKULL FRACTURED CHRTSTCHURH, Feb. 11.

Through falling from a tree on to a stump .the six-year-old son of Air F. Scott, of Wiuchmore. near Ashburton, sustained a fractured skull and laceration to the head on Tuesday afternoon. "Fits condition is serious. The hoy had climbed a fir tree and was getting cones when he fell, striking a tree stump. He was conveyed to the County Hospital.

BAND CONVICTED. AVELLINGTON, Feb. 11. In n. case in which the Port Nicholson Silver Band was prosecuted for making a charge for admission to a Sunday night concert, the Magistrate decided to convict the hand, which made a practice of taking what they called a “donation” from the public, which entitled givers to admission to tho concert, but the Magistrate held that this was an “obvious attempt to evade the by-law, as the evidence showed that a charge for admission was made to the main part of the hall.” A small fine was imposed.

STATE MINERS’ UNION. GREYAIOUTH, February 11

At a largely attended meeting of the State Miners’ Union, practically all of the officials resigned, including the president, All- J. F. l’attinson. Air A. Warwick was elected to the position.

Three candidates wore nominated for the position of secretary, these being Messrs Beale, Gillaly and McAlavcy. Fire candidates were nominated for the three positions on tho executive, none of tho present members seeking re-election.

Afr AY. Barber was elected the Union's representative on tbe AA osl Coast Miners’ Council, A motion was carired condemning the action of tbe members who have agreed with the mine management to operate the No 3 Liverpool* colliery on the principle of the co-operative contract as from next Monday, and it was resolved that no such proposal be adopted in future without its reference first to a majority of the Union. Alcssrs T, AA'hittlc (president) and AA'. Baldorstono (secretary) of the Alin- i ers’ Council addressed the meeting. Tlie former stated that the Council was firmly opposed' to the co-opera-tive basis of working, and had carried a resolution condemnatory of the agreements entered into at the State mine. The Miners’ Council had also decided against: affiliating with the Bulk'i* .Labour Representation Committee. GOVERNOR-GENERAL. AVELLINGTON, February 11. The 'Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson made an interesting series of visits to-day to various institutions under the control of the Salvation Army. Their Excellencies displayed keen interest in the dilferent phases of the work, and chatted for some minutes with the officers in charge of the several places visited. In tho main entrance of the People’s Palace his Excellency was requested by several to sign his name Fu autograph books, and be readily agree to do this, afterwards passing the hook and pencil to Lady Alice for her signature. One young Indy ventured to show Sir Charles where to sign his name, and his Excellency jokingly remarked that unfortunately

he was no novice in the art ol signing nutogroph books. “'lbis is not the first time by any means,” be remarked. From the People's Palace the party proceeded to the AAilliam Rooth Memorial Home, where some forty young men and women are in training with a view to taking part in the work of the Salvation Army. There are fifteen young men and twenty-five young women in training, and their Excellencies spoke several words ol kindly encouragement to the students, ex-

pressing a hope that they would proceed in their studies, and thus fit themselves to take part in the great work being undertaken by tho Ainiv. The schedule of studies was explained to his Excellency, whose military experiences, not doubt, prompted an inquiry as to what form of study came under the awful name of “Bombardment,” but the matter was easily explained. “1 bat, ' said tbe officer in charge, “is the bombardment of the devil.”

BOY “ K.K.K.” AGENTS. ASTOUNDING HAUL OF GOODS. TIM AIM', February 11. Two youths between sixteen and .seventeen vears ol age, who have for a considerable period been carrying oil a joint business as “K.1C.1v.” agents, recently found their activities hampered by the action of the police, and their partnership affairs were to-day wound up by Air E. D. Alosiey, S.AI., in the Tiii’aru Magistrates ( ourt.

Judging by the stock-in-trade the partners had had a most sueeeessful time, for their trading operations had returned them goods which included such articles as pocket wallets, fountain pens, pouches, nail clippers, knives cigarette makers, watches. watch chains, rulers, compasses, clocks, notebooks. keys, pipes tohneeb. electric torches, bottles of cordials, bottles ol gin, cigarettes, a jemmy, cornets , a sword, a camera, glass cutlery, vale locks, stamps, electric hull) and a hammer. rn addition to these articles various sums of money were also taken, office property damaged, a motor-ear damaged, and another ear taken without colour of right. In all there were eighteen charges, the total value of the goods taken being £lO7 7s (id. The Magistrate ordered each lad to receive a thrashing from the juvenile probation officer and adjourned the ease for twenty minutes while this measure was put into effect. Both hoys returned to the Court, looking rather sorry for themselves. When the Court resumed his Worship said lie did not wish tho hoys to think they had done something heroic. The reason he had had them punished was to show them that they had done something contrary to the law of the country. If they continued to wage war on the community ns they had done then they would meet with serious trouble. Both hoys were convicted of the offences and placed on probation for two years.