DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[in' TEr.EGii.u'ii—run press association.]

MAORI CLAIMS. NEW PLYMOUTH, Feh. 14. In the course of his reply to counsel for the Crown, Mr Smith announced that the natives desire that any award made by the Court should not benefit individuals, except in the ease of a few petitions.hut should be placed in a' fund, similar to that administered by the Ai’iuva Trust Board, for the benefit of the whole race. The evidence of the first witness, the son of an early white whaler, aged 80 years, was being taken when the inquiry adjourned till to-morrow. L.VDOWM EX T SITE. AUCKLAND, Feh. 15. Members of the Auckland University College Council were surprised to learn that Cabinet had decided to withdraw the site of fifty acres in Ornkei Garden suburb, which was provisionally set apart some years ago for university purposes, and to merge it in the genera! subdivision. The information was conveyed in a letter from HOll W. Donnie Stewart. The Council confirmed tin- action of the President, lion W. Fowlds, in writing, to Hon Stewart, staling Cabinet had acted on a misapprehension, namely, that the site had been set apart for agricultural education instead of for general university purposes. The President and Mr Wilson were appointed to wait 011 the Prime Minister in regard to the matter when lie visits Auckland. YACHTING. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 15. For the Sanders’ Cup. third race, Betty finished a minute and a. half ahead ol Avalon, with Ilona next, two minutes behind. The next were Alurbikii and Winifred. SUPREME COURT SENTENCES BLENHEIM. 'Feb. 15. At the Supreme Court, Judge ,\l- - s sentenced John David McKenzie, who pleaded gill tv in the Lower Court to setting lire to a three-roomed dwelling at Sedtlon to probation for three yours, and to pay the costs within IT days.

George Powell Gough, who pleaded guilty to three charges of forging and uttering cheques, received a sentence of six months' hard labour, ami reformative treatment not exceeding two \ ears.

REPORTED DEAD. AUCKLAND. Feh. 15

The wife of Edward C. Barrett, a waterside worker, was called on by *:i constable iiu uniform <m Saturday morning and informed that her husband had died in the hospital. As Barrett had left for work in the best of health a few hours before, Mrs Dirrett assumed lie laid been the victim of an accident 011 the wharf, hut tho constable on communicating with the hospital further learned that a mistake had been made. a. man who died in the liospitjd annexe and the living Barrett having the same surname. Barrett on arriving home regarded the affair as a, joke, except for the alarm caused his wife, ilying this was the third time lie had been errouerousl.v reported dead.

Pr. U AIB Elt S ('O NEEIt EX CE. AUCKLAND. Feh. 15

At the annual conference of the Federation of New Zealand Master Plumbers to-day, Air Kvle (President), expressed regret that their ti'ide seemed gradually getting into a more decadent state. AVe have few opportunities for men of ability to build up a business, owing to the ease in which competition is created bv men with only a kit. of tools, once they were registered, being allowed to take out permits to do work, lie trusted the incoming President, being a resident of Wellington, and the executive would he able to devote a little time in an endeavour to combat this grave menace to the trade. He suggested that the executive exert its utmost efforts in seeking legislation to protect the trade in connection with apprentices, universal bylaws, the issuing of permits and journeymen doing work on Sundays and holidays.