DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. DENTAL CO.A i MISSION. DUNEDIN, August 0. The dental commission sat in Dunedin this morning, when three applicants gave evidence. Dr Pickerill, Dean of the dental faculty at Otago University, said ho considered that if the proposed legislation were adopted it would be a menace to tho public, particularly to the children. These men, if admitted, would have a lower qualification, and consequently could charge lower fees and thus I>C. patronised by the poorer people. The public would have no means of distinguishing lietween trained and untrained dentists. He gave instances where children who had been treated by unqualified men were ;eft with serious disabilities, and in one case la boy of five liaid died as the result of wrongful treatment. “ These cases occur more frequently than the public think, as inquests arc not always held. ” lie said. A man might be an excellent mechanic, yet have little knowledge of surgical work.

K A AVAR AU DAM. THE QUESTION OF SECURITY. DUNEDIN. August 6. The Ka.uaran Alining Company, replying to tho statement telegraphed regarding tho closing of the dam, states that there is nothing new in the position, as for some months the company and the Government have been negotiating respecting the matter. Although tho company contends insurance is unnecesary, the company and the Public AVorks Department have been for some time endeavouring to arrange approved insurance. Negotiations now are taking place under arrangements with the Government with Lloyd’s and tho Go Vermont Insurance Offieo with a view to satisfactory insurance being arranged so that the gates may be closed when complete.

JULY WEATHER. WELLINGTON. August G. Air Bates’s weather summary for July states:—

July, the mid-winter month in New Zealand, was remarkable for three storms, particularly affecting the Nort* l Island. A cyclone developing in the north on the tenth had its greatest intensity o.n tho following day northward of Ivawhia and Poverty Bay, although, owing to its influence, rains were experienced and snow fell on the high levels farther south. This storm ruled from July 10 to July 13, and was followed almost immediately by a westerly depression, which caused rains ■along the AA r est Coast and gales about Taranaki, Waikato and other parts. . Between tho 23rd and 28th another westerly depression with two centres caused gales and heavy rains, particularly in the Alanawntu, AAanganui. and Taranaki districts and severe floods caused considerable damage in these parts. The whole of tho South Island, with tho exception of Queenstown, experienced much less rain than usual and nimiv parts of the North Island had a rainfall considerably below tlrcir July average.

There were .a number of frosts in the East Coast districts of both islands hut the weather, on the whole, was dry and milder than usual.

SAY ALT. OWED A SAFETY PTN. AUCKLAND, August fi. As the result of swallowing a safety pin, Dixie Kelly, 'aged six months, whoso parents reside at I’apatoctoe, was admitted to the Auckland Hospital at 3 o’clock yesterday. . An operation was preformed anil the safety pin secured. The child is progressing fairly satisfactorily. SHOPLIFTING. AUCKLAND, August (>. “She has a eonsicleraWe sum in the bank and her husband is in good employment,” said the Chief Detective this morning about Elizabeth Clarke, aged 31, who pleaded guilty to four charges of shoplifting, involving a total sum of £4 lls. She was fined by Aft- Poynton £ls, admitted to probation for two years, and ordered to make restitution.

PRISON'S REPORT. WELLINGTON, August 5 During 1925, a total of 4713 prisoners was received in the prisons of the Dominion, as against 39(1(5 in, 1924. The figures include those who wore committed to Borstal Institutions. The increase is mainly due to maritime strikes, which resulted in 656 overseas seamen being imprisoned for short terms, states the report of the Prisons Department. The daily average in custody was 1324 a.s against 1916 in 1924. The number of receptions includes a number of prisoners received more than once and amongst these is to be found a class, the petty recidivist, who presents one of the moist difficult problems in the treatment of crime, for out .of this class tins confirmed criminal usually de-

velops. Only 2890 distinct persons were received. Of these 197 had been convicted twice in the year, 121 three times, 78 four times and 7.19 over four times. Of those committed, 1276, or 44 per cent, were New Zealand born, 3 per cent were foreigners, land the balance were from Britain and the sister dominions. Crime among the New Zealand horn shows practically no increase and is in proportion to the increase in population. There is an actual decrease ot the incidence of crime, which is most heavy between 30 and 50 years of age. No instance of capital punishment i.s recorded during the year. One flogging was administered.

INFLUENZA. DUNEDIN, August 7. Three eases of pneumonic influenza are reported since Friday. One from Oamani Province was fatal. A CHILD'S DEATH. GISBORNE. August 7. A small hone stud, picked up whilst playing, caused the death ot Audrey Josephine Hiller, aged 3j-. the stud having been found fixed in the, larynx after death. A verdict was returned accordingly. MAN DROWNED. MARTON, August 7. The body of William McPair, 76, an old age pensioner, was found in a wnterhole hoar his wliarc at Rata yesterday. It is thought deceased was climbing a fence on a short cut home j when lie fell into the hole and being unable to rise was drowned. At an inquest a verdict was returned that death was caused accidentally by Sailing into a, hole and being drowned.