DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

11 Y TELEGRAPH —PItESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. RATING OF RECLAIMED LAND. AN APPEAL CASE. WELLINGTON. .March 26. Under the powers contained in the Timam Harbour Act, 1876, and Mi amendment of 1881. the Tiniaru liarhour Hoard constructed a breakwater of 634 feet, running from the shore for some distance, for the purpose of pmteeting the basin for shipping. Shingle settled on the south side of the breakwater ami raised a large portion of the old sea bed above.the highwater mark, part of which is used by the harUmr Hoard for harbour purposes, a part being open Loj l leasing, while some parts aro unoccupied. The Court of Appeal is engaged in hearing an appeal from .u decision of Mr Justice Adams, who decided that parts of the reclaimed allotments open for leasing and the unoccupied parts are rateable. The Timam Harbour Hoard, as appealiant, maintains that the land which it has vested in it is “harbour works” within the definition of that term in the Harbours Act, 19118.

The Timam Borough Council, as icspondent, relies on the decision in the Wellington City Council versus the Wellington Harbour Hoard (10 N-K., 1,,R. 534), and contends that while the term “ work ” includes the reclamation of land, such reclaimed land must he for harbour purposes and not simply an endowment before it is exempt from rates. The decision was reserved. DRUIDS’ CONFERENCE. TE KUJTI. .March 26. The Druids’ "Conference put throng! a, large amount of business and decided to acquire a room in Wellington ioi the. use of all Druids visiting there. A long discussion took place on tin question of the Government extcndiii; tho scope of its National Provide!. Fund, many thinking it a serious men age to the Friendly Societies, tliougi 0110 delegate expressed the opinion tha ‘it would not become a coiupetitoi with the Societies because the payin; out of sick pay would necessitate ai j army of inspectors and the overhea: expenses would be enormous. Event liallv it wa.s resolved to reler the mat ter to the Friendly Societies I’arim inentary Committee. It was decided to hold the next Cor fe.iicnee at Palmerston North.

SUICIDE WITH A GUN. GISBORNE, March 20. A. T. Ilighey, an ex-hotelkeeper, hut recently farming, was lound dead at Onuonds this morning with a gun beside tho body. The head was partially blown off, the gun murr.le evidently having been placed in the mouth ol deceased, who was married with a family. FVRMKRS AND POLITICS. MASTKHTOX. March At a. meeting of the Wair.irapn Pro viiiein! Executive of the Farmers’ Union to-day, a 11011-political policy, waadopted, it being agreed that \\ nirull,pn would held to the motto of the Union. Principle, not Party: and intended to hold the Dominion Executive to it . It was stated that member.! were resigning through the inroads ol politics, which,’ however, were confined rmsily to llie Auckland branches. A resigning member expressed (he opinion that Mr Poison was favom.iig the attitude of the Aucklanders, wliicu, if so. spelt disaster for tlm Unions elsewhere. EDUCATIONAL. PALMERSTON X.. March 20. Kir James Parr (Minister ol Education) is visiting Palmerston officially to inspect the secondary schools and hear requests in connect ion t licivn ill 1 . The late Director of Kdiicatioii ol \ u|.’ria arrive! during the forenoon in company with l)r Marsden (Asdstnnt Director of Education) and delivered ii.ii address to teachers.

W.C.T.U. CONVENTION, DUNEDIN. March 26. The W.C.T.U. Convention opened this morning, Mrs T. E. Taylor, vice-presi-dent. presiding over a record number of delegates. The corresponding secretary's report, which was adopted, showed many unions neglei led to callei-! siihsi riplions, M many members acre 11! lln 1 a iicpiL A welcome will be extended 111 tile evening to Mrs Don. the president, wlm, wiri 1 Miss Henderson, corresponding secret a 1 y. has just returned from a. visit to America. POSTMASTER CHARGED. WELLINGTON. .March 26. (Larged with tie theft of f'.’W, as Post master at l.yall Hay. George I'.dv,arils, married, aged lorty-tliree, pleaded not guilty, and was cnir.mmited for trial. An employee <4 the General Post Dli'jf e, wlm audited the accounts at l-yall It v, stated that he found a shortage of L'3B. A clerk from the General Post Office states that 011 .Man'll 11 lie took charge of Lya!l Hay Post Office, knowing that an audit had boon previously made. Witness balanced the cash and lound a cheque for WS amongst it. lienrv Charles Buck said that accused borrowed a cheque for C.D from him., saying that lie wanted it in connection with a mortgage. Detective Walsh gave evidence that accused told him. his wife, who had been on a holiday at Mastorton, had cashed Hie cheque at the Post Oitiee before she went away. Hearing of the shortage, accused telephoned to his wife and learned that she had placed ,lm cheque in the blotting pad. The detective interviewed Mrs Edwards in the presence of witness, and she said that Buolc had called at the Post Office and cashed the cheque before she went way. She placed it nil a blotting pad ami forgot about it till Edwards telephoned her.