DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PEE TRESS ASSOCIATION,

NO BREACH PROVED. AUCKLAND, February 24. A non-suit was entered by -Mr M’Kcan, S.M., in a claim for compen-

sation by George Hunt, against the New Zealand Football Association and the Auckland Football Association. Plaintiff purchased a programme privilege in connection with the tour of the Chinese Soccer team for £2OO. The sale was much below expectations, and plaintiff attributed this to the issue hv the Auckland Association of an official handbook. The Magistrate held that no breach of contract had been proved.

SIR BENJAMIN FULLER. AUCKLAND, February 21

After nineteen months abroad Sir Benjamin Fuller is returning to Sydney hv the Aornngi. He is accompanied by Lady Fuller and the Misses Fuller. The result of his trip will shortly he realised in many new and high class theatrical attractions, in all iorty-six vaudeville artists have been engaged and they have the reputation of being first-class entertainers both on the Continent and in England. " -Mr Hugh J Ward is still in London, and I have just received cable advice from him to the effect that he has bought several new musical comedies and plays,” stated Sir Benjamin. “He should he hack in Sydney some time in March.”

During the trip Sir Benjamin and family motored some I()00 miles in England and Scotland, and about 3000 miles on the Continent. Their Continental tour embraced Switzerland and ltalv.

A TRIP TO ROTORUA. AUCKLAND. February 24. A desire to visit the thermal wonders of Rotorua and Wnirakei by many of the through passengers by the Aorangi to Sydney lias been realised, and a tour lias been arm aged by the Auckland branch ■of the Tourist Department. I hose tourists, most of whom are English, will be enabled to catch the Aorangi at Wellington. The party, which will comprise about thirtyeight, will leave Auckland to-mor-row morning by the express lor Rotorua. They will spend tlm night there and will proceed the following day to Wnirakei. On Friday the party will he motored to Hamilton via Arapuni in time to catch the limited for Wellington on Friday night. Officials „f The Tourist Department hoarded the Aorangi off Tiri yesterday, and airaiigenients for this unique tour were completed before the vessel berthed. SUPREME COURT. NAPIER, February 21. Mr Justice Alpers, who first reached New Zealand forty-seven years ago. landed at Napier, to-day opened the quarterly Supreme Court sessions. He received a most hearty welcome from the liar of Napier and Hastings. in reply, he'stated that his steadfast aim would he to become worthy of succeeding those who had created the highest ideals of the Dominion Bench. Commenting on the list of cases as exceptionally long. he said he hoped it would lie a long time before the province’s good name would he tarnished by a similar list. Ihe list included three charges of homicide and offences against children. DEEP-SEA FISHING. VISITORS’ CATCHES. AUCKLAND, February 21. Swordfisliing is the best sport ill the world.” stated Lord Helper, ol Nottinghamshire, who with Lady Helper has returned to Auckland I rum Lusscll after experiencing the thrills of deep-sea fishing. Ford and I.adv Helper had a camp at Deep Water Cove, near Cape Brett,.

On Thursday <8 last week they set out in the launch Alma on their first, swordfishing oxnodition. 1 hev

wove extremely lucky for live minutes after they ortived at the grounds Lord Helper baited a swordfish which 1 e landed in about thirty-five minutes. It, weighed 2301 h. and was a fine spec-i-

I ord Bolnor stated that ho was quite satisfied at ,having caught one fish. [!'• was given a certificate to show that whatever he mig"t say about the incident xvh.cn lie arrives hack m England, he will not he relating "a fish story. ’ *• The snort xvas magnificent, and T hope to return to New Zealand again •ioine da v to catch more sxvordlish,” said Lord Helper. • Lord Somerleyton xvho, with Lady Somerleyton, is at Bussell, landed his first swordfish last Saturday. By a coincidence it happened that his fish weighed the same as Lord Helper s first catch. Before he leaves Auckland by the Aorangi for Vancouver on May 12, Lord Helper hopes to do some trout fishing and deer-stalking in the South 1 sland.

RATANA AND THE EAST COAST MAORIS. NAPIER. February 21. At a meeting of ITaxvkes Hay Maoris in Hastings on Monday, presided over by Tueliu Romaic, the following resolutions xvere carried:—(l.) That it appears from the Rev. lliiata’s explanation til at Paraire Tomoatia xvas mistaken in supposing that there xvas to he no reply to Ratana’s statements until the people returned home. (2) 'I hat as to the charge that the Union ;J(ack was defaced by the addition to it of the sun of Japan, no one xvho attended the meeting at Ratana saw such a flag. What they did see xvas Ratana’s own church flag displayed uppermost. (3) That this meeting emphatically declares the loyalty of all hapus of the East Coast to our King and to our flag, the Union Jack. (4.i That in the opinion of the meeting disputes about Ratana, xvhich seem only to create dissension among the hapus of the East Const should cease and that the hapus should all live in peace and goodwill. (5) That Paraire Tomonnn xvas invited to he present at this meeting, hut did not- attend. MUSICAL TALENT. AUCKLAND, February 21. The encouragement of musical taltnt xvithin the British Empire is the aim of Mrs Ernest Bigland, who is a. passenger on the Aorangi. Mrs Bigland is the founder of the British Empire Musical Festival, and three festivals have already been held in the Albert Hall. London. Mrs Bigland stated it xvas her desire that a national day for the purpose of healing the musical xvorks hv British composers should lie held annually in London. In the past there had been no organisation for encouraging British music. Foreign composers had held prominent places in the world ol music

and it was often difficult for British : composers to obtain recognition. Composers throughout the Empire were invited to'send in their works to a committee of selection, which decided the works that were to he played. The winning composers were awarded a gold medal. ' Mrs Bigland said that all classes of work by New Zealand composers would he welcomed. She was also anxious

that in future a Dominion day might he held when works by overseas composers only could ho given. An interesting fact was that the winning composition for the string trio was won at the last festival by Mr Keyser, who .composed his work while in New /er land.

MATRICULATION. WELLINGTON Feb. 25. 1 At the University Senate, Mr J. Caughley (Director of Education) mov- , ed that a sub-committee, consisting of Professor T. A. Hunter, Mr F. H. Bakerai! and the mover, be appointed to meet the various associations or authorities interested in the matriculation examination, in order to arrive, if possible, at an agreement concerning sonic form of accrediting in lieu of matriculation examination -for pupils at approved schools. Mr Caughley stated that he considered the standard of work for the matriculation would, as a result he raised. Sir Robert Stout opposed the proposal. This was he said, simply another attempt to give over the control of the University into the hands of a Government Department/the Education Department. After a lengthy' discussion the motion was negatived by 14 to 10. MOTOR CYCLE RACES. II AW ERA, Feb. 25. The motor cycle club’s annual meeting was opened in dull weather at the Egmont racecourse. The track was in good order. : Novice Handicap, five miles—F. Melville (oosec.s) 2!i Douglas l. G. Lindsay (o sees) 7-0 Harley, 2. The only starters. Won by a hundred and fifty vards. I ime b. 42.