DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[nr TELEGRAPH—I>ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

FARMERS VICTIMISED. AUCKLAND. August 3

“ lie is an absolute nuisance in the town and a. menace to the whole community. He has taken down struggling farmers-and returned soldiers.” With these remarks- still ringing in his ears, Frank Augustus Mens, aged fifty-two. was led from the dock at the Police Court this morning to serve a sentence of three year’s reformative detention. Mens pleaded guilty to eight charges of having obtained -a total sum of £290 18s from various persons by fraud. Accused’s modus operandi was to get in touch with various people in the Dominion from the Bluff to North Auckland, mostly struggling farmers, several of whom were returned soldiers. Mens obtained ten tons of potatoes from one farmer, honey valued at £45 from a returned soldier, beeswax valued at £42 from another, and kuniorns valued at £3O from a. fourth. None of this produce was paid for. and Mens hud only a few shillings on him when he was arrested. It was on the representation. that he was a merchant in a big way of business that Mens obtained produce from the farmers, though lie had no regular office at all.

The Probation Officer said be bad been acquainted with Mens for ten or twelve years. Several years ago ho had been in business, but had since drilted. through drink. He had a wife and six children. He had known Mens to receive a shipload of potatoes from the South Island and let them rot. He never paid for the produce received.

Mr Povnton : T remember him quite well. He has often been up before the court on judgment summonses. He should be put away for a long term. Many of the poor farmers whom be lias defrauded have worked bard and sent their produce to the accused only to receive nothing in return.

, RURAL RANKS. WELLINGTON. August 3. A hint about the report of the Rural Bank Commission was given by Mr 1\ . .T. Poison this afternoon, when be was entertained with Mrs Poison, at afternoon tea by delegates attending the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Conlereuec. The vice-president, Mr W. B. Matbie. son, and others, referred in eulogistic terms to the services Mr Poison had rendered the larming community ill undertaking a world trip in theii interests. On the question of rural banks. Mr Poison, in responding, said the Commission bad brought back a scheme which was sound and copper-bottomed. It would not please everyone, but it would show a way to get funds for producers quickly and cheaply. They proposed taking a road'which would get them there more quickly and cheaply than any other road. Having considered almost every scheme in existence, they had even gone to the extent of preparing the necessary legislation. and it would need a good deal of legislation. It was attached to the report with recommendations, and if the Government was in earnest, and pleased with what the Commission had done, there was no reason W-y it should not be on the Statute Book tins session. (Applause.)

STfOPLTFTE R- S ENTEN CEP

AUCKLAND. August 6

Elizabeth Clarke, aged 31, on four charges of shoplifting, involving £4 Us, was fined £ls and was admitted to two years’ probation and also ordered to make restitution.

LAWYER IN TROUBLE. AUCKLAND, August 6. H. K. Emanuel, solicitor, has been suspended from practice by Mr Justice Herdman, pending the decision of the Appeal Court on the application ot the Auckland Law Society to have Emanuel struck off the roll for being unable to account for £4,600. MAORI P.TSHOP WANTED. WELLINGTON, Aug. 7. The Anglican Bishops who, with the exception of the Bishop of Dunedin, have been conferring here this week, had before them the election of a Bishop to the Maori Diocese of Aotonroa. The Maoris announced they still desired a .Maori as a Bishop, and to this the Conference would not agree. The Maoris then passed a resolution asking the General Synod to make proI vision for an Archbishop to he in charge with a Maori sulfragen Bishop. The matter is therefore deferred till the next meeting of the General Synod in April, at Wellington. HOTELS IN KING COUNTRY. WELLINGTON. August 6. Two deputations waited upon the Native Affairs Minister with regard to liquor in the King Country. The first represented the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, and presented a. document signed by 35 chiefs, opposing the petition to establish licensed houses. Mr Coates: Have the Natives considered the question of a referendum? The spokesman replied in the nega- : tive and added that they did not de- ‘ sire it.

Mr Coates: What proportion of the popluation wish to stick to the pact. The spokesman: T think a majority. He admitted that there was divided opinion on the matter. The petition in circulation did not have the hacking of any of the chiefs. He alleged that the leader of the movement was a Native with interests in a hotel proposition at Te Kuiti. Mr Coates said the Cabinet "as anxious to know the feelings of the leaders of the tribes. No doubt tlieie were other opinions to bo heard. When they 'had been stated, he would be able to give a reply. _______