DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[I!Y TKr.ECr.AI’II I'ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] A FOOLISH PROCEEDING. CHRLSTII.UR.Cn, Feb. 10. Ike unemployed men in Christchurch definitely decided to-day that they will meet the Duke and Duchess ol 7 ork at the Christchurch Railway Station and have a mass demonstration there. Their intention is to parade with their wives and their children, and. if they cannot walk before the Royal Parly, they will follow them. Ihe spending of money on the Royal visit «as sir ugly criticised at a meeting of C ■ unemployed to-day.

LAV! l!Y UNEMPLOYED. < II” isTCJ 11' RCII. Feh. 10

A deputation from the unemployed, supported by the Christchurch Labour Members of Parliament, wailed on the lion. Mr McLeod to-day. asking that the Government should cease its immigration policy and provide work immediately to absorb tin- unemploved. Ike Minister said Lliat- unemployment had been before the Cabinet twice a week for long months past. He did not intend to make any pronouncement when the Prime Minister was SO near the country and would ho here in a few days. Mr Coates would make his own statement on his return. Replying to a suggestion that uncmplovod should he given afforestation work, the Minister said that the Government could not go on with this, work without young trees, which were not avuil!,kle. In any case, the Government could not borrow money and get onlv •oO per cent, for its expenditure, 'file farmers, also, could not afford to employ inefficient men.

He declared: “In every section of Ike community there is an astoundin' amount of thriftlessness, with which no Government can keep pace. People do not seem to provide for even one raiuv day. Unless people make provision for tke future, no Government can do anything.’’

ARCHITECTS’ ANNUAL MEETINf HAMILTON. Feb. 11.

Tlie annual meeting of the New Zealand Tnstitule of Architects was held at Hamilton yesterday. Mr \\\ Page (Wellington) presided and in an excellent. presidential address reviewed Ihe "°i'k ol the year and jxiinted out the ideals of architects and their services to the community, lie made a plea for more beautiful towns and support for the Town Planning Board. He commented strongly on the growing practice of advertising on unsightly hoarding. thus marring civic beauty. Ho described these as unattractive drab and sordid, and stressed the need for eontrolling them. A deputation was received from the sawmillers representatives, who pointed out tile trouble in utilising all products of the log. Mr 11. Voider (Chairman), of Ellis and Barnard Ltd. said that the problem was a serious one. The industry had to be relieved of the surplus lower grade limbers, by limitations placed on them. lie suggested that means he found to modify the specifications, which stipulated heart timber, when o.b. could ho used equally a.s well, and he asked the sylnpathotliic co-operation of the Architects by forcing the consumption of high grade limbers, as flic Government was actually increasing the production cost.

CHARGE OF THEFT. ROTORUA. February II

A youth. Frank Lock Hard Crawlord. a cadet in the Rotorua Tourist Department, was charged with the theft of £92 Ms lid, the property of the Government, at the -Magistrate’s Court. He was remanded for eight days. A DECEIVER. PUNISHED. AUCKLAND, Fell. 11 At the Supreme Court Arthur Russell Whtnvell io receiving stolen goods to eighteen months hard labour. STOCKS AND SHARES. AUCKLAND. Feh. 10. Sales: South British Insurance 565. Auckland Power Board Debentures £IOO. A MEAN TIIEET CHRISTCHURCH. E« binary 10. Cecil John Edmonds aged 20 years, was charged in the Police Court with the. theft at Waikouaiti of £l4 I 3s t the property of Matthew George Young and another. Edmonds came to New Zealand as an immigrant under the public schoolboys’ .scheme, he having been educated at a famous " Blue Coat’’ School in the north of Ireland. He had worked on a form, hut there lie met with an accident, fracturing three ribs. Thereafter he had to seek lighter work'. He was employed hv a cleaning company at a side show at the Exhibition and as a salesman. When lie was down and out. Young had befriended him and took him into his lodgings. While there Edmonds committed the theft. The .Magistrate said the theft was a mean one. He convicted Edmonds, and ordered him to come, up for sentence when called oil. He would remain in a Salvation Army Home for three months and he would refund the stolen money.

INDECENT ASSAULT CHARGE ASHBURTON, Feb. 10.

At the Police Court, a young man, Tan Lockland Shaw, was charged with assaulting a young woman with intent to commit a crime. The alleged offence took place after a dance-at Mount Somers on Jail. 29th. last. The police stated that the accused said that too much booze had been responsible. Shaw pleaded “not guilty,” reserved his defence, and was committed for trial. Bail was allowed, self in £250 and two similar sureties.

AN ACTOR’S OFFENCE. WELLINGTON. Feb. 10.

George De Sylla Zucco, an actor, was to-day before the Chief Justice, found guilty of indecent exposure. The jury recommended leniency on account of bis’ war disabilities. Sentence will be passed to-morrow.

AN UNUSUAL (TRCUMSTANCI-

CREDITORS AND OFFICIAL ASSIGNEE. WELLINGTON. Feb. 11. A young clerk, Joseph Walder McClintoek. who admitted getting through !£BOO in .seven months, was subjected to a sharp cross-examination by his creditors yesterday. Unjustifiable extra .-ligauco was alleged in the form of the purchase of an expensive bedroom suite, motor cars, cabaret parties and frequent visits to Christchurch. Bankrupt- admitted much of his personal expenditure was foolish and extravagance but was uol unjustifiable, as lie believed another £10(X) was coming to him from his deceased father’s estate. The amount owing to unsecured creditors was shown as £272 9s Id. and the assets at £2OB. leaving a deficiency of £64 9s Id. Bankrupt in his sworn statement declared the present position was due to liabilities contracted in expectation of Vi final payment of not less than £IOO from his late father’s estate, and to bis inability to meet tliem when expectation failed. Official Assignee: “I consider tins is a case Tor the Crown Prosecutor, it. is a- clear Case of unjustifiable extravagance.” .Mr A. It. Tiuson, representing bankrupt; “I take strong exception to the attitude you are taking up as Official Assignee. You are prejudicing the case and pronouncing judgment in a most dictatorial manner. The statement which the bankrupt submitted was as frank as any man in his position could make. The fact of the matter was that bankrupt had been 'a fool, and bad burnt bis money, but there was no question of fraud.” Air W. Perry said the creditors he represented had instructed him to oppose any hostile motion at the meeting. They were perfectly satisfied with

the explanation bankrupt had given. Official Assignee: “Bankrupt got through £BOO iu seven months, and there was no reason for him to get into debt. I am still of opinion he lived extravagantly.” I-inally .Mr Perry moved and it was oirried by the proxy votes: —“That no good purpose can no served by any

further investigation, and that the estate bo wound up as soon as possible," Official Assignee: “Is this not. tnk*nS tho matter out of my hands, f don’t care wliht motions creditors pass. D I consider that action should he taken, I. shall certainly take action—that i« my duty.”

DOMINION ATHLETIC CHAMPION

SHIPS

AUCKLAND, Eeb. IL. 1 lie weather is fine for the opening o| the Dominion Amateur Athletic Championship this afternoon, when all i the heats will he decided, plus the following championships, three miles, putting the shot, 440 flat, broad jump, 410 ladies, relay and one mile relay. ACTION FOR DAMAGES. AUCKLAND. Feb. 11. A collision at Birkenhead on Christmas Day between two cars, which resulted in tho death of a passenger, was the cause of an action in the ■Supreme Court for. £IOOO damages. Tho plaintiffs are 'lhos. Findlay l.eathard and Evelyn I.eathard. laud the defendants ars William Osborne Thompson, farmer of Ruawai, and Frederick Lees, fruiterer. Negligence is being alleged on the part of either or hath defendants. The son of the piiintiffs who had contributed four pounds weekly to his parents died a.s a. result of the accident. MINISTER’ PLAIN STATEMENT. A MEMBER. ANNOYED. WELLINGTON. February 11. At the deputation to the Minister regarding tin* Kaitangata mine, the general question of the unemployment cropped iip and led to an exchange of some free remarks between Hon. Downie Stewart and Mr Fraser. M.P. The Minister stated iu Ashburton lie was informed that the farmers wanted hands and could not get them. An Otago i nnholder had complained to him that lie had paid a man’s fare who would not work and then demanded to be paid bis fare back. Mr Fraser said such incidents did not apply to the genuine, unemployed. If workers were offered work in the country and shown how to got to it, they would go. The Minister’s information was all second hand. The Minister: Oh, no. II the men will not make an effort to get into the country, I will not help them. I have evidence to prove men are not looking for work, hut some are even walking olf jobs they are in. Mr Fraser retorted: Your remarks are a libel, and a slander, and unworthy of the man who is ActingPrime Minister.

Mr Stewart replied emphatically that these things were known to him and it was his duty to let the public know. As the deputation was retiring, Mr Eraser said he regretted an extraneous matter had been introduced. They were under no illusions about their own ( lass. There were iust as many wasters in the ranks of Labour as in others, hut the majority of the men now out of work were genuine. A SUICIDE. BLENHEIM. February 1U llenrv \Y. Carson, aged about 50, described as a water diviner cut bis fl l ront with a razor this morning early at Seddou Hotel and then threw himself from the upstairs window. A man sleeping in the same room heard nothing and was asleep when wakened bv tln> investigating constable. The deceased# was a member of the Australian Expeditionary Force in the Great War. lie told a constable a \vvi/< ago that he had lost two wives and was tired of life. He is believed to have a sister living at Belfast, Canterbury. NORTH ,T RL ANO ARRIVES. AU( KLAND February 11. The Federal liner Northumberland, which struck a submerged object near Gable End Foreland on January 25th and was considerably damaged, has arrived in Auckland from Gisborne tor repairs this afternoon. She was berthed at the King’s Wharf to discharge her cargo from No. 2 hold before docking. DISPUTE SETTLED. OREY.MOUTH. Feh. 11. The Power Board linesmen’s dispute has been settled. Tomkies was reinstated and all the men resumed work to-day.