DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1925, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

(BY TELEGB ATH —rEB FREBB ASSOCIATION.!

SOLDIERS’ LANDS. It EVA LUATION COMM ITTEES REAPPOINTED. WELLINGTON, November 12. The Minister of Lands has announced the appointment of members of revaluation committees to continue any work which remains in connection with revaluation of soldier settlement land. Mr M’l.eod states that difficulties crop up occasionally and the Department has been asked to further investigate cases, therefore a suitable man lots been appointed in each land district for that purpose to act lor two years from September next. The following are among the appointments : Westland Band District—Mr George Albert Perry, Hokitika, merchant. Northern portion oT Canterbury land district—Air Robert William Lockhead, St. Albans.

Southern portion of Canterbury land district—Mr Janies Scott, Wni-iti road, Tintaru. CABINET RECONSTRUCTIOX. WELLINGTON, November 12. The Prime Minister left Wellington to-night lor the South Island without making announcements regarding Cabinet vacancies. lie lias had a constant succession of callers, and a mass of advice, verbal and- otherwise, on the subject of reconstruction, but to all bis friendk ho has given an invariable answer: ” I am not in a hurry over that job.” There have been many Government members among the visitors, which has given gossips ground for interesting speculations about possible new blood, but there is no solid basis for speculation, because nothing has been done to give a elite to tlie Aliuister s intent ions.

Will he make changes in bis present team ? This is expected among some of the Reform members who have paid a visit to Wellington, but Alt' Coates himself preserves a discreet silence, and the Alinistcrs under unofficial sentence are doing their work, whatever their Ministerial fate. The arbiter is in no hurry.

AIOTOR VICTIAI DIES. AUCKLAND, Nov. 13. The death occurred to-night of Oscar Frederick Swanson, aged 31. who was knocked down last evening by a motor car, driven by George Frnnkham, at Grey Lynn.

SETTLED OUT OF COURT. AUCKLAND. Nov. 13. An action which English and LuxI'ord, public accountants, Hamilton, instituted against Dynes Fulton, chairman of Directors of the New Zealand Co-op Dairy Co., Ltd., claiming £2OXI damages for alleged slander, which was set down for bearing at Auckland Supreme Court on Monday, lias lieen settled out of court. The terms of settlement have not been disclosed, but it is understood they include a lull public retraction of the statement made. DIYOHCE DAMAGES. AUCKLAND, Nov. 13. >- An award of £2OO damages was made in the Supreme Court to-night in a divorce case Douglas Johnson Coleman against Eva Constance Coleman and Rocbvt Iloulden. co-respondent, from whom £ISOO was claimed. It- was alleged that misconduct liad been committed, and two private inquiry agents gave evidence regarding observations through a keyhole. 3lie allegations were denied. ' “1 am one of the unfortunate war lirides. and my husband’s people were prepared before I arrived to criticise me.” said the respondent. Petitioner had told her his mother bad always held the foremost place in bis life, and always would. When Iloulden was in hospital with sciatica, Coleman brought hi> clothing into their heme, and iusistetl that Iloulden, when he recovered. should stay with them. Houlden had never made love to her. She would never dream of marrying him in the event of being divorced. He was years older than lierself.

The jury, in returning a verdict for the petitioner, recommended that tlio £2OO should be utilised for the upkeep of the child of tlie marriage.