DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

TELEGRAPH PKES3 ASSN., COPYRICHT. N.Z. ACCENT. WELLINGTON, March 17. “Touching the question of accent—the vexed question of pronunciation,” said Sir James Parr (.Minister of Education) in the course of conversation with a “Times” representative yesterday, “ you will remember that I brought the matter up at the Inspectors’ Conference the other day, as to whether we had or had not got a New Zealand accent.

“ Various opinions were expressed upon the subject, hut it was generally agreed at the eonterence that vigilance was all the time necessary, on the part of both inspectors and teachers, to cheek mischeviotis tendencies towards the deterioration of our English speech. I promised the inspectors that wo would get a useful little text-hook on phonetics and correct voice production generally for use throughout the Dominion. I have arranged accordingly that Mr William Bird, M.A.. (senior inspector of schools. Wellington) and Mr T. Crawford (the well-known director of the Dumb School, Sumner, who lias made a special studv of the correct production of speech) shall collaborate in producing a .suitable text-hook for the use of young teachers in the training colleges, and of teachers in the field generally. It will also lie of use to the senior pupils. “I am anxious above all things,” staled the Minister, “to attain and maintain in this country the highest standard possible of correct .English .speech.”

RAILWAY STALE CHANGES. Cil R ISTCH F RC'H, Marth 20. The following additional railway staff transfers have been annoiin:ed : Mr T . A. Steven-:, slatioumasler at Grcymouth, to chief goods clerk, at Christchurch. Mr A. E. Firman, stationinaster in ciiarge. Nelson section, -o he stationmaster. with turning powers, Grcymuuth. Mr A. Stevens, stationinaster. New Plymouth, to he statiunmaster-in-charge, Westport section. Mr li. E. Mirnms. tralli:- inspector. Wanganui, to he statiomnnster. New Plymouth. Mr .1. C. Dim: in. .stationinaster, Oamarli. to he stati'-mma.ster, Auckland. Mr .1!. S. Skinner has been appointed goods agent at Dunedin. an alibi. WELLINGTON, March 19. A lady defendant in a motor speeding case at IVtmir was probably fortunate. through lack oi knowledge by the prosecution of racing, allairs. The lady was charged with exceeding the speed limit while cm her way to the races, the time of the alleged offence being given as 11.15 a.m. The lady stated, and her story was corroborated by another lady witness, that at 11.15 they were pulling money mi the totalisator cm a certain hprse. which won the first nice. They were jiiite certain of the time, because i race was run at twelve o clock. The prosecutor was obviously puzzled at the apparent discrepancy in tin time. He did not | ress li is case coving to this clouht, and the Bench d missed the case. It was not till Inter that a solicitin', who was present unofficially, informed the prosecution that the horse m question did not run in the first race. i hut had won either tlie second or the third race. In the meantime the plaintifl. who was quite evidently sincere in wlmt she had testified, had driven joyfully aivav from the Court.

DEVOT lON TO DUTY. AUCKLAND, March 19. The Waikino School tragedy "as 1--cjillvd at yesterday's meeting of the Education .Board by the re: nipt ol advice Iron! the Klu's't eut Depart men! as to recegn'l' hv the Oovernnieui of the devotion la tittle displayed by Mr It. T. Reid, tlien itead master, in defending the scholars. The letter stated that ihe Cabin d had approved of a payment to Mr Reid of a special grant of £2OO. The hoard resolved to express its appreciation of the action oi I lie Government.

ARBITRATION COURT. WELLINGTON. March 20. At the Arbitration Court to-day the Inspector ol Awards at Mastertou ptoceeded against the Wairarapa Electric Bower Hoard, claiming L's penalty lotfailing to pay tlic rate ot wages prescribed hv the award.

The case was brought to enable the Hoard to explain its difficult position, and get a ruling Irom the Court. A number of youths were paid 30s each per week, and were employed in the same manner as apprentices, doing certain work of apprentices, hilt net all of it. They were termed assistants. It was submitted thal as llie youths were not covered by the description of journevmeu, apprentices or under-rate workers, and the Board refused to consider them as nnnrenlices, then they

were entitled to Urn minimum wag,

prescribed for journeymen. The Court decided that there bad been a breach of the award, but it was absurd to suggest: the youths were worth n journeyman's wage. I lie Hoard had not been justified in taking •dl tlm '.ninths as apprentices, blit bad taken advantage of the underrate workers’ clause. The nominal penalty „f CJ was inflicted.

a.s.b.s. presidency. WELLINGTON. .March 20. Tim ballot miners in connection with Urn election of President of the Amalgamate,l Society of Railway Servants wore counted at the bead ofl.ee of the society at Wellington to-day. Ihe oand,dates were Messrs R. Hamilton Hor,.r t ho \S. I!and mc»r nresulfuit i't u i • M Conneilv f retiring president). - vote was taken over the whole of the membership of the A.S.R.S througbout tbe Dominion. The poll was a lieavy one. At a late hour last n.gl . the returning officer. Mr W. N.ts■•. > uounccd. that Mr Hampton had hoe elected by a large majority, hut all the papers were not yet to hand, tlui being two small returns yet to come but those figures could not at.ee- tne result.

ROY .SERIOUSLY INJURED. NELSON. Alareli 20,

\ distressing accident oeourred at Maitai Yalley College A hoy, Kenneth AY a 1 key. while hohdaxing. • helping with n circular saw, «h . somehow, he came ... contact vult J, and received serious oijurum > head. He was taken to the hospital, his condition being serious.

SUPPORT FOR DA HU 1 TE AAA'A .Mill . March -1 The Dominion, Executive of to ~ ’ r„ir,n representing Adopted resolution : "This ; exeeu-. tive on port presented, and supports 1 iev defined by the Roaid.

INCOME TAX CASE. WABLATE. Afareb 10. t he Magistrate’s Court, before M ; F D- Afosley. S.M., for wilfully o[ negligently making false income-tax

returns for the years T 920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, Tlios. MucPherson bootmaker, AVaimate, was fined £IOO on one charge and on two others £lO each. On the fourth charge he was fined £2O. William MaePlierson, saddler, A\miniate, charged with failing to furnish income tax returns for 1921, 15)22, and 1923. was lined £5 and costs on the first two charges, the third being withdrawn. HON. G. J. ANDERSON. WESTPORT, March 21.

iron J. 0. Anderson, Minister of Mines and Marine, arrived at Mostport this evening and received deputations.

The Minister leaves lor Little M a lignum and Karamea on Saturday, returning to Westport on Sunday, and thence to Grcymouth. Hokitika and South "West la ml.

A VISITOR MUSSING. AUCKLAND. March 21. L. A seller, a visitor to Te Aroha. who left the Hot Springs Hotel on Thursday mornin" to climb Mount I e Aroha. lias not been heard of since. A search party discovered footnrinis on tne summit.' and a. card with the name “ Asciier.” Wellington.” An envelope with his luggage at the hotel is addressed “ A seller, c/o s.s. Aoraiigi.”