DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

(by telegraph--per press associatio;!.] LANDING CENTENARY. AUCKLAND, Aug. 10. After attendance at the centenary celebrations of the landing of the first Wesleyan Missionaries in Tonga, Rev. Sinclair;, General Secretary of the Wesleyan Foreign Missions returned by the Tofua. 'l'he foundation stone of the new chapel to cost £ISOO was laid and a memorial to the first missionaries unveiled by Queen Charlotte. SCHOOL BURNT. CHRISTCHURCH, August 10. Fire early this morning destroyed the Ohoka school, according to advice received by Mr C. R. Kirk, Secretary of the Canterbury Education Board. The school was built fifty years ago. No cause has been assigned to the origin of the outbreak.

SEAMAN’S FATAL FALL. AUCKLAND, Aug. 10. A. seaman, John Dean, aged 64. fell into the sea. when going on hoard the steamer Hona at Chelscn to-night. Another seaman. .Tames Forward, dived in to the rescue, but apparently Dean bad struck bis bead on the wharf in falling, and ,;ill attempts at resuscitation failed. LICENSING ACT. HASTINGS, Aug. 11. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning James Frederick Lesueur, licensee of Albert Hotel pleaded guilty to charges of permitting gambling on the promises, opening for sale of liquor during prohibited hours, and selling liquor during prohibited hours. At the request of the police the second charge was withdrawn. Magistrate Dyer fined defendant £lO and costs for permitting gambling, £lO and costs for selling liquor after hours.

In connection with the same case Emanuel Mendelsohn, Thomas Tinnnis South, Charles Henry Slater, Edward Ware and Frederick Slater were fined £5 on a charge of aiding and abetting, and J. F. Lesnenr in allowing gambling on the premises.

A COURT’ ORDER. PALMERSTON N., August 11. Tn connection with the application by Ellen- Mary Pearce for provision for maintenance out of the estate of her husband William R. V. Perce, Justice Reed made an order for the payment of £I,OOO yearly from January Ist, 1926. HOSPITAL ENQUIRY. AUCKLAND. August 11. At the hospital inquiry. Mr Northcroft, representing the Board’s architect. Allsop, said it would be alleged that over a period of eight or nine | years Secretary Somerville had shown determined unfriendliness to Allsop. The latter’s accounts were held up for long periods and some were not paid at all, because of ex-parte statements by the Secretary. A charge of dishonesty had been made against Allsop as a result of which a slander writ was issued but an offer by the Chairman of inquiry by the Board was accepted and the action was settled on terms that , Somerville should make an apology and pay the costs, and that as soon as possible a public inquiry should be held at Which both parties should have the right of representation. Subsequent allegations made by Harhutt, a member of the Board, suggesting extravagance in respect of public buildings led to a" demand for a full public inquiry. The case was based on Somerville’s statement before a member of the Board that Allsop “ was not straight and could not do a straight action.” That. Counsel submitted, was an indication of motive behind Somerville’s long course of irritating treatment. Allsop could say that the Secretary had refused to co-operate with him as he should have done.