DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] THE LEGITIMATION ACT. AN LM PORT ANT QUKSTTON. WELLINGTON. Oct. 1. The Full Court, consisting of Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice) and Justices C. ,T. Kim, Adams. Reed and Ostler, was engaged this morning in hearing an originating summons to determine an important question under the Legitimation Act, 10—1. No names wore mentioned but the facts arc that a. man died intestate in 1020, leaving an estate of £I2.(MX). He married in 1800. being childless when his wife died in l!)0(i. In January. 1018. he had an illegitimate female child and in May 1015 married the mother of the child. Three months later u second child, a male, was Lorn, the female was not legitimated in the liiei'tiie of tlie deeoasod. hut legitimation was registered by the mother under the Legitimation Ari in 1921 after the death of flic father. The Public Trustee, as admiiiitraionf the estate, is in doubt as to . bother the female child is entitled to participate equally with the male child. The question is important as the admission that the child was legitimate i subsequently to the death ol the lather may lntve a material effect on the distribution of the estate.

Air Kelly appeared for Hie Public Trustee, Mr Haggard as guardian for the male child, and Mr Smith as guardian for the lemale child. Argument was beard and decision was reserved. COMMITTKD FOR SENTENCE. AUCKLAND. Old. 1. At, Hie Police Court. Charles John Down Eves, aged 27. pleaded guilty to stealing £lll. the property of the Law Rook Company of New Zealand. Accused had been manager for the compauv at Aviekland lor the past two and a half years. He was in financial diflicull ii's and took il hoping; to repay it, later. .Mu-used was I'nininiUed lu the Supreme Court lor .sentence. SCPPOSED drowning. TK AWaAICTC. Kept. 80. Join, Mercer llrttee. a farmer, aged -ixfv-nitie years, is believed in bate been drowned in the l’umii River yesterday. lie wap missed during the morning and subsequently tracks vetc located ling to the river, where a hat. was found on the edge ol a deep hole. Dragging operations so far have been unsuccessful. -RI'S P \KSK.NGKR INJURED. AI'CKLAN'D. Kepi. 80. A ’lms owned by Wheeler and Sons got nut of control at Kllci'slie and capsized. One passenger, 1 bourns A\ t tglev. was cut about the heath

PRESENTATION TO AIR WITTY. WELLINGTON, 'Kept. 80. At a private gathering of members of the Tin use of Representatives last night. Air George AYilty. who has been continuously in Parliament for twentythree vears. was the recipient of n

substantial present. The Prime Minister (Mr Coates) congratulated Air Willy o" bis long and honourable career in politics and on behalf of numerous friends presented bim with a wallet, well filled. Mr Wittv. in the course ol his reply, -aid that he in no way regretted the net ion he had taken after the election of 1022.

CLAIM FOE £7.500 FAILS. AUCKLAND, Oct._ 1. Al the Supremo Court. Air Justico [Hodman delivered judgment in +Lo casi' ni' John Hunts an<l Coy.. merclianis Auckland and the ship Westland. wherein the plaintiff endorsee of pertain hills of lading of‘goods shipped on the Westland at New Vorl;. to he carried to Auekland claimed against the -hit) £7.531 5s 3d for damage done i„ a bundle of galvanised iron. It was admitted that the wire arrived at Auckland in a damaged eondilion. being extensively pitted with some hind of precipitate. His Honour said he thought the miohief had been done in New York harltour. and nowhere else, as it was plain the wire could not have come to harm on the ship. He had searched in vain for evidence pointing to a want of i-ai-o on the part of those in charge of Hie ship. Judgment was given for the defendant.. MTNKU’S CLAIM FAILS. WF.TJJNOTOX. Oet. 1. An interesting legal point was decided bv the Arbitration Court, in the case of Angus Alel.agan. eoal-ininei. and the Blackball Coal Company. Plaintiff claimed under Section 5 of the Workers’ Compensation Act 1022 for £1 for surgical attendance on him. in respect of an injury sustained l,y him in the service of the defendant company. ‘•The action was in the nature of a test ease." said Judge Frazer, “lor the matter of payment of surgical or first aid expenses was nearly always in dispute when a miner was injured." The Court gave judgment- for the defendant company, holding that plaintiff had not brought himself within the section of the \rt. for no liability for the ascertained sum had been incurred by him or his medical club lor surgical attendance in respect of the particular injury suffered hy him. AHI Cl II! I,INC’S ("vMi’AICN rJ.F.NHF.TAf. Oct. 2. Afr W. J. Oirling. the silting Onvornment mendier of AA aira.u. opened Ids election campaign hist evening and from hani 1 v criticised the Labour Parly whi<•!i he claimed was deeply infected wiili the Communist microbe. Ife declared himself in favour of fusion and predicted the Nationalist ranks would he so attenuated in the House next session that they would come over to Reform. Afr Oirling outlined the government's achievements in humanitai ian legislation and Stressed its achievements through the State advances olficc in vegan! to housing. Afr Oirling was accorded' a vote of thanks and combined confidence. T)FVOX’S SKAAI F.N FINKI). AUCKLAND. Oet. 1. Right seamen from the steamoi Donut pleaded guilty in the Police Court to-day to absenting themselvefront diitv without lawful excuse. Mi Haig, for the New Zealand shipping Cov.. said the charge was hroug.it under a Section of 'he Merchant Shipping Act. The Devon arrived Iron 3 iverpoo! on 'September 18th. ant the men left on September 24th. ant had not returned. All the Aneklnm cargo had been discharged, and t.h< Devon was now waiting to go to Mtl litieion. The Shipping Company de Hred that an order should he mad. for the men to return, and they wer< <luite willing to do so. Magistrate Curteu made an order nr eordingiy. The men were ordered t forfeit 25s each, irotn theii wagei and pay 5s costs.