DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TII.EGBAPH —PBESB AISN , COPTBtOHT.

BACKWARD CHILDREN. SIR JAMES PARR’S OPINION. CHRISTCHURCH, December 3. Replying to a deputation which waited upon him from the Technical College Board of Governors, Sir James Parr, Minister of Education, said that those pupils who were not capable of passing the tost to gain for themselves free secondary education would, in his opinion, not benefit from such a course were it open to them.

One of the requests of the deputation was that the fees for instruction at the College he reduced.

“ I think that anybody who can’t pass the proficiency examination in this country is a duffer,” said Sir James Parr. “He must he.” Me added ; *' My difficulty in acceding to your request is that the people for whom, you ask concessions aro not adults who, not having had the advantages of education in fheir youth, arc now trying to better themselves, but they are young people who have had every opportunity and have failed. 1 have sympathy with adults who have never had a chance, hut with these young people it is different. They, .'is I have said, have had every opportunity. and have failed to pass the tost. You are asking me to throw open the secondary schools to children who, in my opinion, would not benefit from a secondary course.” Kir James Parr said that he would go into the matter carefully before coming to any decision. A SUDDEN DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH. December 8. Death this morning suddenly overtook a middle-aged man named McLeod. employed as a driver by a local aerated water firm, who was found sitting on the steps of Rollestou Street Hall. Linwood, by Mrs I). G. Sullivan, the wife of the Labour member for Avon.

It is understood that McLeod’s wife did not want him to go to work this morning, as he had complained of a pain in his side. THAMES HOTEL LICENSE. AUCKLAND. December 8. In support of the petition against the transfer of the Thames Hotel license, A. S. Whyte, for twenty years stevedoring, said an hotel on the waterfront would double the stevedores anxiety. The men couldn’t resist an hotel right under their noses which they could visit without being missed.

The Committee, after an hours adjournment, announced it had decided to refuse the application for removal of the license to Quay Street, on the ground that licensed premises were not required in the neighbourhood The application for the renewal of the license was adjourned until December Kith.

Sul>-Tilspeclor Rawle (Licensing Officer') objected, saving he agreed with Mr MeVeagh, that there was no license in existence.

FIRE AT Si’ll EYDO.N. (Till ISTCH I'l’CH. Dee. 8

A lire early this morning destroyed a five-roomed house, with grocer's shop attached, in Somerlicld Street, Spreydon. the occupant having some difficulty in winning clear of the burning building. The premises were owned Ly Arthur Waters, of Snreydon. and were occupied by A. K. Day. who had to make his esrane through one of the side windows. The stock was insured lor .C3l!<) in the Standard Office. and the furniture lor CLIO in the same office. Tic insurance of the building was Lion in the State Office. SIR JAMES I’ARR. CHRISTCHURCH, lb--. 8. Sir James Parr. Minister el Education arrived in ( hri'-tchun h from Wellington this morning. Atn r receiving a deputation Irotn the Uhrist-,-hnn-!i Teekitieal ( 'liege Board ol Governors, he pa.-: a vt-ti oi inspection to open air schools ::l i.tuwood. Cashmere and Femlaltoit. In the atternoou he left for .Methven to attend an entertainment tendered to Mr 1). Jones, M.P.. To-morrow morning he will visit. .Methven School and tonler with the Committee, and h.e will also meet the Ml. Hull Road Hoard. Sir James Barr is cxnected hack ill Christchurch about I p.m. and will receive a deputation from the Open Air School Council. At 8 p.m. he is to (qsui a new Post Office at New Brighton. He will go North b\ the terry steamer.

A broken axle. AUCKLAND. Dee. I

When the daylight limited express arrived at 9 this morning it was stated by the passengers that alter passing through Wainiihia a sudden humping ami shaking alarmed (hose in a firstclass ear just behind the ladies ear. Commissioner Iloggard oi The Sal\aiinn Army, on looking out. saw stones and dust being churned up. He gave the alarm to the driver and on the train being stopped, it was found the front axle of the ear had broken in half, shattering one wheel and pulling the other off the track. There were about eighty passengers on the train at the time. hut. there was no panic. MAGISTRATE’S RECOM M E D ATI ON. CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. In lining a motor cyclist CIO lor negligence, the .Magistrate, Mr tilling, this morning, said all motorists should have a third party insurance for their own as well as the public’s good. WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL. WELLINGTON. December 4. The City Council has decided to invite applications in New Zealand and outside for the position ol Town Clerk at C 1.450 per annum. A number ol Councillors were in favour ol appointing Mr Tail, the assistant Town Clerk outright, hut were out-voted. Mr Paterson, the city engineer, will also shortly be resigning to take up another post.

\ MURDER CHARGE. GISBORNE, Dee. 4. A young Maori woman. Paurewa Mam. was before the Supreme ( oni't this morning, charged with the murder id her infant illegitimate child. She entered a plea of guilty which Justice Reid refused to accept, and ordered that a plea of not guilty he recorded. After it discussion with Counsel in his chambers, his Honour informed the jury that the doctor would not swear the child had actually lived after the birth was complete. He had talked the matter over with counsel and would ask the jury to bring in a verdict oi not guilty. This verdict was formally returned and the charge against tlie accused of concealment of birth was proceeded with. Accused pleaded guilty to concealment of birth and was .sentenced to two vears’ reformative treatment.

NO TRAINS FOR COAST. CHRISTCHURCH. December 3. No train went from Christchurch to the West Coast this morning owing to wash-outs on the line on both sides of the tunnel caused by the extremely rough weather. Rain continues on the Coast side

BIG FLOOD AT GRKYMOUTH

fSpeeial to “Guardian”.' GRKYMOUTH. Dec. 4. The Grey river is in high flood, and is still rising. The water is hacking up over the low lying portions of the town, jfaws from the country U te

the (effect that it is still raining. Ahaura reports the flood is at a record height. Traffic is interrupted on Otira and Grey Valley lines with wash-outs and slips. There is no through railway traffic to Otira or Reefton to-day. There are big slips on the Bitller Gorge and traffic to Reefton will he interrupted for three or four days. The [pain highway in the Grey A alley is hadlv damaged, including the approaches to Red .Tacks bridge. It is still raining with little prospect of clearing. ELECTION PETITION TO BE LODGED. CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. Mr J. McCombs has definitely decided to lodge an election petition for Lyttelton.