DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1927, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOO'ATIO.V.]

DISPUTE IN FRUIT TRADE

AUCKLAND, Alav 5

An arrival at Auckland this morning was the Union Company's cargo steamer Wnipahi, from southern ports. The vessel has been specially fitted up for the Auckiand-Rarotongan fruit trade. It was intended that the Waipahi should leave Auckland this week on her initial voyage to the Islands, but a dispute has occurred between the native fruitgrowers and the local fruit merchants. In consequence it is unknown when the vessel will commence the service. The merchants have not disclosed the points tit issue. A deputation left for Wellington last evening to place the matter before the Prime Minister, and it is hoped that the dispute will he settled shortly.

VOTED TWICE. AUCKLAND. A lay 3

During the scanning of the rolls after the recent elections for the Newmarket .Mayoralty and Council four persons were found to have voted twice. The voting papers were accordingly checked ami the votes disallowed. Al ht-t night’s meeting the Council decided to allow the matter to drop without taking any further action.

SUDDEN DEATH. WELLINGTON, Alav 5

The death occurred suddenly on Wed. nesday. aged G 7 years, of Air John Herhei'tson. late Chief Aleelmnieal Engineer of Mental Hospitals and the Public Health Department. He was also consulting engineer to the Hospital Boards. Air Herhei'tson left the mental hospital to catch the one o'clock train at Porirua. and collapsed on the railway platform. He was removed to liis home, hut lie died tit four o’clock the same afternoon, lie had been a. long time in the service, and was greatly esteemed. He leaves a widow, two sons, and a daughter.

KAHITAXE HOSPITAL OPEXEI) WELLINGTON, Alav 5.

The Sir Truhy King Karitane Hospital was opened to-day for immediate occupation, and Sir Trilby’s emulsion factory was also formally handed over to the Karitane Products Society, Ltd.

The Hon J. A, Young, Alinister for Health, reviewed the growth ol the Pltittket Society during the last twenty years, stressing the great mortality among children through ignorance by mothers of correct methods of feeding young baliics. This mortality now bad been reduced from 88 per 1000 to less than -14 per 1000. uu,| there are now GO branches of the society and 100 nurses throughout New Zealand, and Plunket methods-were adopted in all parts ol the world.

HIGH-PRICED SECTIONS. WELLINGTON, Alav 5. The expense of establishing homes close to the city is evidenced in the prices given at auction for sections on the Waiteata estate. on Alackenzie Terrace, off Mount Street, in the hillside above Wellington Terrace. The sections tire about one-eighth of an acre, with approximately forty feet frontages. One brought £9OO. two £SCO, each, three others £770. £7OO , £735. Nine were unsold. The reserve in two eases is £1025.

INCIDENT AT PEPFOPAIANCE. AUCKLAND, May 5. AVhile a concert was in progress at the new Edendale Picture Theatre last evening the unexpected collapse of scenery furnished something of a sensation for the large audience. One of the assisting artists, Aliss Ida Armstrong, was struck down as she was singing and escaped death or serious injury by a miracle. Luckily it was canvas and not a wooden batten that came down on her head.

Miss Armstrong disappeared beneath a mass of fallen scenery. Site was extricated in a semi-dazed condition, blit revi\e ( i and phukily insisted upon finishing her song.

800 TO IA KIX G CH AR(i E. AUCKLAXD, May 6

The trial of Thomas Jackson, an elderly man. on a charge of bookniaking at the YY’iikato Trotting Club's Meeting at Epsom ill March, took place at the Supreme Court to-day. The police evidence was to the effect that the accused was approached hy several men, who gave him money, whereupon the accused made entries on the inside of a cigarette packet. One constaole gave him live shillings for a horse which lost, and later made a bet with marked coins, which wore found in a sum of L 34 10s which the accused had in his possession when arrested.

Mr Mol.iver. for the accused, contended that the evidence was llimsy. and was insufficient to justify the charge. In summing up, Mr Justice Stringer said that the Legislature, in its wisdom, had legalised the totalisator. and the Government derived therelrom a very considerable revenue. In order to protect it, they had gone further, and made it an offence against the law for any person to carry on the business of a bookmaker. However, as the law stood, it must be obeyed. It was for tlu' jury to decide on a verdict of “Guilty,” or “Xot Guilty,” and they alone must adjudicate.

The jury retired to consider their verdict. The accused was about to be ushered below, to come up again when called on, hut Ilis Honour, pointing out that the steps were difficult, directed that Jackson should bo allowed to wait and to have a chair whilst doing so. “Toll him he can go out and have his lunch if he wants to,” added His Honour. “The Court will resume at a quarter past two.” The jury subsequently returned with a verdict of “Xot guilty.”

MAORI’S HEAVILY FIXED. YV A 11(0 A. May 6. In the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon. J. S. Jesscp, owner of the YY ailii station. YY'aikaremoana, was awarded CD!> damages for sheep killed and worried by dogs owned by two Y\ aikareinoanii natives, William Moses and Henry Tama. The sheep farmers in that locality have suffered much loss in recent years through Maori (logs worrying the sheep. The plaintiff caught the dogs in the act. and shot them, and after identification, he placed the carcases i’ll an empty freezer, thus resulting in a very clear ease. The Magistrate, Mr Levvy. strongly commented on the lying evidence hejner given bv several Maoris for the defence.

BIRTHRATE. WELL!XriTOX, May 7

The total births in the Dominion for ipofi were 2L173 and the rate was 21.05 per thousand. It is the lowest ever recorded. Births were 320 more than in 1925 and 3G less than in 1916. in spite o! an increase of iieail\ a million in population. There were 35b cases of twins and two of triplets. The number of illegitimate births shows a considerable increase from 1.332 to 1.473. As the figures were much larger in the latter half and particularly the last quarter of the year this increase is connected hy the compiler of statistics with the Dunedin Exhibition.