DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1926, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

(BY TELEGRAPH- -PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

MOTORIST CHARGED. AUCKLAND, June 4. A charge of recklessly driving a motor car ,and causing injury to Mrs Beatrice Pomer.v, in New North Roid, on April 3, was preferred against George Vincent in the Police Court, to-dav. It was stated'that Mrs Poincry had just alighted from a tram car, when she wps struck by the right hand mudguard of Vincent’s motor car. The speed of the car was estimated at thirty miles an hour, and it was alleged that the motor cur did not reduce speed, and did not ease up after the accident. Constable Anuis said that lie" saw accused soon after, the accident. Accused told him lie had no knowledge of the accident. He v<is then under the influence' of liquor. In reply to counsel, witness said that accused could have taken liquor after the accident. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to. the Court for trial.

GAMES OF CHANCE. WELLINGTON, June 4. Will ‘ “ rolldown ” continue as Wellington’s popular whim or will the law step in and declare the game illegal? Ths answer to this question rests in the hands of Mr E. Page, S.ar., whose decision in regard to the legality or otherwise of tho game was sought in the hearing of a test case Harold Pcrcival Bishop and Alfred Dawson were the defendants, and they were charged with being the occupiers of premises which were used,as a common gaming house. They were further charged that, in view of persons in a pubiic place, the game of chance known as “ rolldown ” was played, by way of gaming with table and balls. A plea of not guilty on both charges was entered. After hearing the case, in which tho principal point at issue was as to whether “ rolldown ” is a game of chance or a game of skill. His Worship adjourned the proceedings for the purpose of viewing the premises, and witnessing a demonstration game between detectives (novices) and threo players claiming skill the game.

A SCATHING STATEMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, June 5. ■> • Declaring that organisations composed of both sexes are in existence throughout New Zealand for the purpose of distributing drugs and living immoral lives generally. Colonel Knott (Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army) stated last evening that what he had seen of the Dominion since his arrival from Canada three months ago, had been a groat surprise and disappointment to him. There is tremendous sympathy here for good philantrhopic work and there is no great lack of funds hut few people have any idea of the extent to which moral delinquency exists in this country.

.MAORI CENSUS. WELLINGTON, June 5. Additional figures relating to the Maori census dealing with the twentysix districts of the North Island show an increase since 1921 from 19,798 to 23,825. All but half a. dozen show additions, the most notable being Enngitikci, which including the village of Ratana is now 2,170 against 599 five years ago. THE SILENT SER VICE. WELLINGTON, June 3. “ I have had twenty-five years in the silent service. That is why I talk such a hell of a lot in these days,” said Commander J. R. Middleton, D.S.O. (U.N.) as an introductory to bis address at the Rotary Club yesterdav, at which Rotarian Sir Alex, Roberts was the chairman of the Commander Middleton, in ing the Navy League as the advertising department of the Navy in the Empire, referred to the manner in which the league had to battle along without any assistance from the headquarters of the Navy’. In Germany before the war they built up a Navy' League of two million members with headquarters at the Admiralty, ancp the position was similar in AmericmL. The Navy League stood for ing the right arm of the Empire at a standard of strength and efficiency which would guarantee the safety of the Empire. He stressed the need of finance and membership of the league to enable more publicity work to be undertaken, saying that membership only incurred the sacrifice of one drink and a packet of cigarettes a month for a year. Tn New Zealand it costs 8s per man per year for naval defence, but in the Old Country it cost 24s 10d, so that New Zealand, was not bearing one-third of its whack of the cost of the Navy, yet they were sitting down in comfort in one of the richest parts of the Empire/ - “ If we lose the freedom of the seas for three months the whole blessed lot of you -will be busted,” said the Commander in concluding Ids reference to the Navy League amidst applause.