DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[nr TELEompn—pf.e punas association.} VETERAN JO URN A LIST. ' TLMARU, June 18. The death occurred last night, ol John Ilardeastle, a veteran journalist, at one time editor of the South Canterbury “Times,” and also “Timnru Herald.” He was for 43 years on the latter as reporter, sub-editor and editor. He was aged SO years.

GAM TNG LEGISLATION. MASTER TON. June U. At a meeting of the stewards of the Masterton Racing Club last night a communication received from the Racing Conference announced that the Prime Minister had stated that the Government would not introduce a Gaining Bill to permit money being telegraphed to clubs' for investment on the totalise tor. or the installation of a. double totalizator where clubs desired it and the publication of dividends. Tn the event of a Bill being introduced next session as a private member s Bill, be would grant every facility for its passage through Parliament. If ilie Bill was passed and the Minister was satisfied that the direct revenue to the Government was siiftieieiit to in■ l-init a reduction in taxation. be would make provision to increase the rolund on totidisatoi duty and would abolish the 1.910 -1 per cent receipts tax. It was decided to request the member for Masterton to support the Bill when it came before the House.

“MIRACLE OF MERRITT." AUCKLAND, June 12. Under the caption “The Miracle of Merritt,” last night's eight "'clock Auckland “Star” published a. photograph of the now famous Canterbury cricketer, and observed:--“IV. K. Merritt has made good handsomely in Britain. Overlooked by Mr W|. Patrick in his claims tor Canterbury representation until the very last Plunket Shield match, ho saved his province from the ignominy of the wooden spoon, and, because the New Zealand selectors were at that very moment looking for a slow bowler. they gambled on Merritt s one success fav putting him in the team. As prophets they have boon justified by the child of their vision, for, despite his youth and inexperience, Merritt has been'to date one of the main supports of the team. He has taken fiftv wickets for 12C0 runs (an average of 24) and in fourteen Innings (eigjht not out) has made 281 rum (an average of 46.8).”

an accident. CHRISTCHURCH. June 11. Colin Reeve, a young man, living in Ivinsooek Street, was struck on the head this morning by a tree which he was engaged in felling. He was taken to the hospital, and bis vendition is serious. THREE YEARS FOR ROBBERY. GISBORNE, June 11. Richard John* Ferros was charged with at Tokomaru Bay assaulting Thomas Robb and robbing him of about £3 IQs, also with assault with intent to rob. and with intent to commit guilty on the three counts and was sentenced to three years’ relormative treatment.

ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE. WELLINGTON,' June 18. The story told to a constable in Manners Street, at 2.80 a.in. on June 3th was upset in Court to-day, when Henry Hewitt, a middle-aged man. pleaded guilty to attempting suicide. With his throat, cut. Hewitt, told the constable that while sleeping off the elf eels of drinking bout on the Oriental Bay beach, someone attacked Senior-Sergeant L-.-utlct told fho Court that Hewitt certainly had been drinking but had cul his In rout, in a lit of depression. Accused was ordered to come tip for sentence wlion called upon, and to pay costs. KAVYARAU DAM. CI ,OSJ NG ~MO R ROW. DUNEDIN, .Tune 13. The Knwnrnu Falls dam gates will be closed at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. At a meeting ol Directors of the Kawarau Gold Mining Company this afternoon satisfactory reports of the* conditions at the lake, river and watersheds were received, and the date for closing was fixed. The closing of the gates will bo much earlier than anticipated. It was not expected that the gates would bo closed for mining operations until June 20. On Saturday morning the lake level on the gauge at the dam read 3 feet 31 inches, exactly one foot lower than at the time of the closing last year. The river just below the dam was at the 2 feet 7 inch mark, ns against 3 feet 4 inch last August. All tho tributaries are reported to be low, and the weather lias been clear and frosty. It is expected that the river will drop to its lowest level by Wednesday night, and mining should commence on Thursday morning.

TRAINING TEACHERS. DUNEDIN, June 13. At a special meeting the Otago Education Board gave final consideration to the neu*' scheme proposed by the Education Department to assist young persons to secure training as teachers, and came to the following conclusions : (1) Tn the absence of information upon material points, the Board cannot endorse the scheme. Definite information should be furnished in regard to fa) the present loss incurred through non-fulfilment or 11011-enforce-ment of the bond; (b) the possible saving under proposed scheme ; (c) toe method of securing the repayment of the loan in the event of a student defaulting. (2) The Board is of opinion that the scheme would invoice certain risks, such as (a) the placing of obstacles in the way of getting the best hoys and girls to entei- the profession ; <b) d iff even tation in salary between those who receive loans and those who do not, may lead to difficulties; (c) | the difficulty in providing immediate work for all students upon the completion of their probationary assistantships, and any agreement entered into for repayment should necessarily entail responsibility upon the Department of providing the means of re-

paying. (3) The Board emphatically holds that the scheme should not apply to probationers already in service. These young people entered under existing conditions, and to depart from those conditions would he a distinct breach of contract. (4) The Board views with disfavour the element of class distinction which is introduced by reason of the fact that some students will require to take a loan and some will not. A reply embodying the Board’s conclusions has been forwarded to the Department of Education.