DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEORArn-—rEU TRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

RETIRED .MAX KILLED. M ALTON, February 9. Tin’ man killed at tlio ALartou Junction crossing yesterday lias been idea tilled as James Willacy, aged 7.'! years, a retired farmer residing at Waverloy. Deceased leaves lour sons and two daughters. Further enf|uiries reveal that a railwayman named Roulston, on duty over one hundred yards away, saw Willacy fall beneath the tender and engine, which was proceeding backwards to the loco sheds. Deceased was noticed previously walking towards the station. lie was on his way to Ohakune to purchase "hoop. His relatives state his hearing and eyesight * were good, [low ho tailed to notice the approach ol the engine is a nivsterv.

DRI NK EX FOLLY. AFCKLAN'D. February 9

At the Supreme Court Joseph Henry Trask was found guilty of setting fire to a sack soaked with kerosene in proximity to a building, lie was admitted to two years" probation on the condition of his taking out a prohibition order tor that period. Judge Stringer said the action appeared t> have been the act,of drunken folly and not a nreconceived intent. \et an act of this kind was a menace to the community, lint for the prompt action of n voting woman lives might have been risked. Her services should be recognised Ijy the insurance company affected. or by the owners of the place.

ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE. * PALMERSTON X . FeC 9

At the'Sunremc Court the trial is proceeding of John Drummond, retired ironmonger, of Dannevirke. on a charge of allegedly negligently driving a motor-car on November I,'ttli last, on the Woodville-Pahiatua road, near Woodville. thereby causing -the death of George Vinton. While driving a pnrtv of bowlers to Pnliiatua accused’s car struck Vinton who was walking on the road in the same direction. He died the following morning front the injuries received. Addressing the jury the Crown Prosecutor said the accused apparently did not see the boy until within fifteen or twenty I'ert. He then swerved the ear to the lelt, but too late the ear striking the deceased with the light wheel or right mudguard. The evidence is proceeding. NOLLE PROSEQUr ENTERED. AFCKLAN'D. Eebniary 9. A nolle prosequi lias been entered in tile ease against Harry Langton, who was tried twice last year on each of charges of indecent exposure, both juries disagreeing. FORCER Y. TSLfEXHF.ni. Feb. 8. George Powell (tough, aged 26 years, pleaded guilty this afternoon to three charges of forgery and uttering cheques unsporting to be drawn by E. C. Watts, lighthouse keeper, at Capo Campbell. Tie was committed for sentence at the Supremo Court at Blenheim on February loth. Bail was not asked for. The accused also admitted issuing two valueless cheques at. Christchurch. NOT OCTET Y. WELLINGTON. Feb. 7 At the trial of Thomas O’Hara, today at the Supreme Court, before the Chief Justice, on a charge of attempting breaking and entering of a. warehouse. with intent to commit a theft, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

HIS FIRST LAPSE. WELLINGTON'. Feb. 7

‘•Ho .seems to have yielded to a request for money made by a friend who told him that the money would be returned.” said Mr I*. S. K. Maeassey, when Reginald Frederick Callaghan, need 22 years, apnea ml at the Supreme Court to-day before Sir Charles Skerrott. Chief Justine, Ini' sentence for the theft of £'2l as a servant. Mr Maeassey added that Callaghan had lost his position in the Post Office. Addressing the prisoner, who was not represented by counsel, his Honour said lie thought the ease was quite a proper one for probation. He wanted to say very little, except to tell Callaghan that he saw no reason why good conduct should/ not completely efface I lie remem lira uce of his mistake. “I am going to make your term as short.

as possible,” said his Honour, “so that you may have every chance. You have already made restitution.” Callaghan was admitted to probation for three months, and was ordered to pay £1 Is the costs of the prosecution. DENTAL HYGIENE. WELLINGTON. Feb. 7. Colonel T. A. Hunter, Director of Dental Hygiene, has returned to Wellington after a visit to America and Great Britain. Ho also visited Denmark, where a clinic has been opened at Copenhagen. Colonel Hunter has returned more convinced than over that the New Zealand Government’s dental system is far more effective, efficient, and economical than that in existence in any other country which be visited. o TWO FARMERS AT LAW. STRATFORD, Fob. 7. U the Magistrate’s Court Frederick G. Stockloy sued Alexander G. Stewart for £2OO as damages for three allegedly slanderous statements, the statements insinuating that Stockloy had shot one of Stewart’s cows in the udder eyith a shot-gun. Both are farmers at Kiorc. .Stockley also claimed C 25 for assault.

Plaintiff alleges that the first statement was made in a wool shed before the shearing team, tlio second on Kiore Railway Station before certain witnesses,'and the third at his request before other witnesses.

After the hearing of much evidence the case was adjourned till next Court day.

A SIT'DII> THEFT. WELLINGTON. Feb. 7. “This is an extremely stupid theft, and the penalty you have incurred alrendv seems to be heavy enough.” observed Mr J. H. Salmon. SAL. in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. when a young clerk, Edlev Richard Hicks Palmer, "aged 28. pleaded guilty to the theft of two postal notes valued at Os, the property of James Arthur Davison. »Cliicf-Doteetivo Ward said that Palmer, who was a married man with one child, wanted some money to pay a life insurance premium, and stole the mites from the drawer of a fellow clerk. “He lias never been before the Court previously and lias been in the employ of tlio New Zealand Railway IV-:;la-ment for six years.” said the ChietDetective. “This offence means that he has lost his position for the sake of 65.” In view of the circumstances, ami the punishment already incurred by the accused, the Magistrate imposed a nominal line ol £2, and ordered the restitution of tlio stolen money.

THE BRITISH IN IRAK. AUCKLAND. Feb. 9.

|)r E. A. Mills, who after a distinguished war record and successful career in England, now occupies the position of Director of Government Laboratories in Irak, arrived on furlough by the Tonic yesterday. He stated that conditions in Irak were on a very peaceful basis. There is no trace of the trouble that arose in 1929, tlio main factors being the settlement of the Turkish and tlio boundary questions. Britain keeps order with a very small force and her prestige is assured.

AN EXCITED SPECTATOR. DUNEDIN. Feb. 9.

After a night in tlio cells, the man. Robert Fulcher, who interrupted proceedings at the Supreme Court yesterday, appeared, before Mr Justice Reed this morning. He expressed regret, stating that be- was excited. Justice Reed: “ft seemed to 'me that there were a number of friends of accused in the gallery, and it struck me your remark was in the nature of an intimidation of the witness under examinaI ion.” Prisoner denying this, the Judge said : “Apparently you are a friend of the accused and resented the man giving evidence. However, you have I crui locked up for the .night. I don’t think you need to he further punished. You are discharged.” THE FNE.MBLOYED. AUCKLAND. February 8. Sneaking at a meeting of the Auckland Fnemploynient Relief Committee yesterday, the Rev. Jasper Colder said be was afraid that members were disgusted with the Government for not taking art inn to find work for nnrmpluyrd. The problem was a national one mil be felt unbounded contempt for a Ministry which refused to face facts, and attributed the discontent of hungry men to political causes. TTe

understood that a section of the unem- 1 ployed was preparing to make a demonstration during the visit of tlio Duke of York, and, although lie would de-, plnro such a course, the blame would j lie on the Government. In Auckland there were now over three thousand workless in the principal unions. The estimated conservative numbers are approximately: Amalgamated engineers 150, butchers 12, carpenters 150, drivers 400, furniture makers 60, general labours 430, hotel workers (men) 120. (women) 10. local body’workers 400, painters 130. plumbers 30, seamen 100, timber workers 300, waterside workers 200, grocers 172. chemists ,37. shop assistants (men) 67, (women) 93, electrical workers 12. linesmen 25, storemen 15, gum-workers 35, engine drivers 12, shipwrights ,50. total 3.080. It is estimated that the men employed in cheese and butter factories (150) will he dismissed during the next six weeks. The secretary of the Freezing Workers’ Union also advises that during March, April. May and June, 300 employees will be put off. j DUNEDIN POSITION. DUNEDIN, February 8. J The unemployment registrations here for the week' ended February 8, total 152. an increase of four over the previous week. Of the total, there are 94 labourers. The clothing factories at present have sufficient to keep full staffs going, but the prospects after Easter are not very bright, as no large

orders are being placed. 'Hie woollen mills have bad to put off a number of bands, and in some branches of the trade the operatives are working only part lime. There is. however, a prospect of increased work in the near future. The iron trades arc also working with reduced staffs.

MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION .MEETS. PALMERSTON N-. Feb. 9. The nineteenth annual conference of the Municipal Associations opened this morning, Mr Nathan (Mayor ol Palmerston North). President of the Association, presiding. There are one hundred delegates attending. The Chairman voiced his appreciation ol the way in which Cabinet Ministers bud always assisted the executive. “Whilst there may be some disappointment that the remits eajried at past eonlerences had not yet received approval of the Government I want you to understand they have received consideration from the Government, and there has always been demonstrated to us some good reason why a particular remit had not been passed into law.” Remits were carried that applications for auctioneers’ licenses be accompanied by two testimonials as to applicant’s character and fitness, the local authority to make tlic necessary inquiries that the license be granted, unless the majority, instead of twofifths of members present, and voting, decide that applicant is not a lit ner-

Regarding the Power Boards Act, the remit was carried urging section eighty-live he amended, so that electric power hoards, before supplying power direct to consumers within the area of their supply of any licenses, must first obtain the consent of the licensee whether the area of supply is in the inner or outer area of the Power Hoard district, it was explained that Power Hoards supplying consumers in

boroughs were infringing the latter’s licenses. The remit was carried. The Fire Brigades Act be amended so that of the residue of the amount of the estimated annual expenditure, alter necessary deductions on the quarter. be paid by contributing _ local authority, three-quarters by the in.suramc companies; also that the protection under Section 52 (damage, by brigade: be deemed damage by fire within tlio meaning of the fire policy, he extended to "cover all eases where the brigades attend tiros outside the boundaris of their fire district. A remit was also carried ursine; compulsion on the part of local bodies to establish a superannuation tuiul lor their employees.

"ATTEMPTED 'TO LIVE BA' CRIME.” DUNEDIN, Keli. 8. When a charge against William Allred Robert Bussell, of breaking, entering and theft, was called lift the Supreme Court, before Air .Justice Reed to-day, Mr E. J. Anderson, who appeared for the .accused, said that Ensscl now wished to plead guilty. Counsel had advised him to do so, though prisoner strenuously denied that he was ever on the premises. f-lis Honour: T cannot take that, you know. He was found with keys and a pair of scissors. He may strenuously deny the charge, but I think the evidence against him is very strong.

Mr Anderson said that all lie could ask from the. Court was that the term if imprisonment should he made concurrent with the sentence of three years imposed the previous day for theft of a postal packet. His Honour said he did not intend doing that. The accused, he said, apparently attempted to live bv crime. Accused was not like a man who had been suddenly tempted, or who had found himself out of work, as lie ap-

peared to he capable of earning good wages Prisoner was .sentenced to

twelve months’ imprisonment, the term to ho cumulative upon the sentence im-

posed yesterday

BRITISH JUDGE ARRIVES. AUCKLAND. Fob. 8

The judge of band music at the North Island Brass Band Association’s contest at Wellington on February 21>t.. Mr W. Haliwell, of Wigan. Lancashire, arrived by the Tonic to-day, accompanied by Airs Halliwell. He is a veteran bandsman who took part in AfeMeroii’s British contests before becoming a judge. Air Ilaliwell said lie was looking forward keenly to the contest in view of what lie had heard of the standard of brass hand music in New Zealand, lie said band music was becoming a great factor in English life.

DETECTED BA' LOOKING GLASS AVELLINGTON. Fell. 8.

The pocketing of fruit valued at Is in a Chinese shop cost Samuel Al’Shano aged of), a term of fourteen days’ imprisonment. AVhon accused bolted. the Chinese, who had observed him in a mirror, called out for a policeman.

CHECKING' CARELESS DRIVIXG \ rCKf.ANI). Feb. S.

John O’Hanldn was yesterday found guilty in the Supreme Court of negligence in a small degree when he collided. while driving a car. with a motor bus. A passenger in the ear received fatal injuries. To-day O’Hanlon was fined £25 by Air Justice Herdman. “There is no doubt you were guilty of neglect.” said His Honour, “and these oases are happening so frequently that barely a. criminal session goes by without such a cn.se being set down for trial. It is essential that I markin some degree my disapproval of young men speeding and failing to handle their cars with care. You will be fined £'2s and costs. A'our license "'ill )*o eanceleld. and you will be disqualified from obtaining another for I two years.” Bix months were allowed in which to pay and default was fixed at three months’ imprisonment. DEATH FROAI SCALDS. AA'ELLTXGTON. Fob. 7. An inquest concerning the death of ■ Leslie Masters Ball, aged one year and eight months, who Med last Friday in the Wellington Hospital, where he had been admitted the previous day snffering from scalds, was held to-day liefore Air AY. O. Riddell. Coroner. Th" evidence showed that at 9.45 a.m. last Thursdnv the child’s mother, who resides in Palmer street.’ heard a scream from the pantry, and found

that, the infant had upset a billy ol scalded milk over his neck and chest. Tlio milk, which had been taken off the stove a quarter of an hour before, had been left standing on a copper about one foot from "tho edge. _ The Coroner returned a verdict, in accordance with the medical evidence, that the child died of heart lailure following burns accidentally received. BOOKS ISA DI.V KEPT. AUCKLAND, Feb. 8. Charges of having failed to keep proper hooks in order to conceal the true state of their affairs, and of contracting debts without reasonable expectation of being able to pay them, were levelled against Oscar Lorcny.en and Albert Norman Chapman, who stood their trial before Mr Justice Stringer. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the charge of failing to keep proper hooks, and not guilty on the charge of contracting debts without reasonable expectation of paying them. The jury added a rider recommending leniency, as they believed the hooks were kept to the best ol their knowledge.

* The Judge said he did not. altogether agree with the finding, but he accepted it. Accused were respectable hardworking, men, and the case would lie met by a fine of five pounds in each

FI'TURK FARMERS. AUCKLAND. Feb. 8

Twelve agricultural students selected from colleges and training centres in' various parts of Great Britain and Ireland, arrived in Auckland to-day by the lonic, en route for the Government’s experimental farm at Buaknra. It is the intention of most of the newcomers to settle in New Zealand. They are, in fact:, farmers of the future. A healthy, well-educated lot of lads, they represent British young manhood at its best. THE TIMBER SLUMP. FIGHTING IMPORTED TIMBER TAFMAItrXri. Fob. 1). A public meeting called by the Mayor, Mr G. E. Manson, to discuss the depression in the timber industry, was largely attended. The meeting was addressed bv Mr R. W. Smith, M.P.. and a provisional committee was sel ip) to canvas for assistance in the fight against imported timber and report at a Inter meeting.

TO VISIT SAMOA. WELLINGTON, Feb. 8

The Hon. Mr Nosworthy, Minister for External Affairs, has definitely derided to go to Samoa to investigate affairs there, and it is likely lie will proceed there somewhere about- May. There is no intention of taking Parliamentarians with him, as it is felt in Government circles preferable that the Minister should be untrammeled in his efforts to gain first-hand information of the real condition of things in Samoa. NEW ZEALAND DUMPING DUTY. WELLINGTON. Feb. 9. [ lion. W. Downie Stewart to-day defined the basis on which the dumping i duty to he put on Hour will he ealeuI luted. If payable it will he equal to | thi' amount by which the f.o.h export price at the Australian port of shipment is less than what is regarded as an equitable domestic valuation, taking the latet published Sydney price of £l2 LOs (the credit price for bakers’ lots delivered ami stacked in bakers’ lofts). The sum of lbs is regarded as allowable + -> arrive at such an equitable valuation. This lbs includes bs cash discount and U. ,-ti turn .. •>• i.110.-am ■, v. liicli large domestic’ customers can obtain and also a further 7s Od oil account of the savings in the haniLini of

export orders. Accordingly a contract made to-day at £f I f.o.h. would ho compared with £ll lbs, £1- 10s domestic credit, less Lbs as already explained) and dumping duty of lbs per ton would he- -payable. Provided ilia! the domestic credit price is not below £l2 lOs when the shipment is made on a contract made to-day at £! 1 bs. the dumping duty would be 10s per ton. If the Australian domestic value changes lvetweon the date of the placing of an order and the date of shipment, the lower value will govern the calculation of the dumping duty.

ACQUITTED. CHTM STCHURCH. Fob. 0. .Sidney .lames Lilly was found not guilty of carnal knowledge of a girl under 16 years of aye. FORTUNE TELLING. CHRISTCHURCH. Fob. 0. Mabel Jennings appeared in the Police Court on two charges of having undertaken to tell fortunes. Mr Stacey. for defendant, pleaded "not guilty." saying the defendant was in poor circumstances, having been deserted by her husband. The evidence of two police matrons was that they had visted defendant’s house and had readings. One was told of places in New Zealand with some hints about a dark man and a blue limousine, and was told also she would marry next year. After hearing evidence. Mr Stacey withdrew the plea of not guilty. A fino of £2 was imposed.