DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[nV TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OBJECTIONS TO VALUATIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 9. A lively meeting of ratepayers oF Marshland Riding of Waimaria County Council last evening, heard protests against the recent Government valuations which were held to be excessive and resolved:—“That this meeting is strongly of opinion that objectors to the valuations should he allowed a representative at the Assessment Court,” and that this should apply to the whole of New Zealand. HAND BLOWN OFF. , HAMILTON. July 9. As the result of an explosion of a detonator at a swamp drainage contract at Horotiu, a Jugo-Slav, Tony T’erdia had his right hand blown off and his face severely injured. Pcrdia was carrying the detonators in his hand when they exploded. His condition is serious.

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCE. ' OAMARU, July 9. Two women, Ada Birehall, alias May Birehnll, and Phyllis Herrington, alias Ida Hazel Birehall. were arrested on a warrant from Christchurch last night and charged at the Police Court this morning with obtaining credit of £9 on March 13th from Margaret Roach, of Christchurch. Other charges are believed to he pending. Accused were remanded to appear at Christchurch to-morrow. PROPERTY SALE. HASTINGS, July 9. R. A. McKenzie’s Ti Toki station, Patangatft district, of 2100 acres, has been purchased by Herrick Bros., of Hastings, and Herrick’s property of 450 acres of heavy swamp land near Hastings acquired by McKenzie. The prices are not divulged.

CAPTAIN DIES. AUCKLAND. July 9. Obituary—Capt. Charles Fleming, who retired about five years ago from tho position of Superintendent of tho Mercantile) Marino at Auckland. CHARGE OF STEALING. ASHBURTON, July 9. John Ronald Lynch, about 21 years of age was arrested last night and appeared at the Court on two' charges, first of breaking and entering tho dwelling l of Henry Clifford Percy on June 25th.. and stealing a hunch of keys valued at ss, and secondly on breaking and entering Percy’s shop and stealing £3O. The police stated another charge was pending. Accused was remanded till Thursday. CHARGE OF PERJURY. TIMATU7, July 9. At the Magistrate’s Court Victor Harris, aged 28, pleaded guilty to a charge of perjury and was committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was refused.

ESCA PE E R EGA Pl' UR ED. INVERCARGILL, July 9. Tho Borstal escapee, William Howell, was recaptured to-day at a hush siding. 20 miles from Invercargill on tho AVaimaliika. Sergeant Hewitt and a constable had no difficulty from information received, in locating Howell, who offered no resistance. He was wearing a suit of old clothes and had been camping daily and travelling nightly. He will be brought before the Magistrate to-mor-row on a charge of escaping from custody.

FATAL FALL FROM GIG. 1 HA AVER A, July 8. At the inquest this afternoon concerning tho death, of AVilliatn Ogle, who fell from a gig on Tuesday and died en route to the hospital, the Coroner returned a verdict of death from shock. A UCKLAXI) PROJ.ECT. AUCKLAND, July S. .Sir John Sulmaii, F.R.1.8.A.M.T.J.. and Mr S. Hurst Seager, F.R.1.8.A.M. T.T., aro to he invited by- the Auckland City Council to sit with the City Engineer, Air AY. E. Bush, as a commission to obtain all valuable information with regard to civic centre proposals and submit recommendations.

WOMEN IN POLITICS. AUCKLAND, July 8. At a meeting of women his afternoon, it was decided to form a women’s branch of the N.Z. Political Reiman League in Auckland. Dr Buckley .Turkington w.is elected to the position of the League's prospective Parliamentary candidate in Auckland.

' GRANTING OF LICENSE. AUCKLAND, July 8. • The absence of Air A. Thompson from the meeting of the Auckland Li- j censing Committee when the Ambassa l dors’ Hotel license was granted, was considered at a meting of the Executive of the Council of Christian Congregations oil July Ist. Resolutions were carried at that meeting relative to Mr Thompson’s explanation of bis absence, and, on the next day, ihese were forwarded to him hy letter. Mr Thompson was given time in which to reply to the resolutions before they were published, but, as six c!a)s hero elapsed without bis breaking silence, Dr H. Ranston (President of the Council) has decided to make the Council's resolutions public, a course or which Air Thompson has had six days* notice. The text of the resolutions carried o,n July are as follows: _ That the Executive of the Council of Christian Congregations regard ns-en-tirely unsatisfactory the explanation made to representatives of the Council bv Air A Thompson resoectmg bis absence from the Auckland Licensing Committee when it was dealing 1 second time with the Ambassadors Hotel license, and, further, having seen a copy of a letter endorsed by A.r Thompson, and signed by h.s sobcitoi, which is in substance the explanation ,nven to the,Council’s representatnes this Council is strongly of opinion tha the reasons given do not jus l > - Thompson’s absence from the meeting S that therefore he does not, stai d acquitted of a grave dereliction ,-ot public duty.” , m ■