DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BV TF-MiGRAPH— rRESS AB3X., COPYRIGHT DIVORCE. REFUSED. AUCKLAND, .June 22. In a pelition for divorce by Henry Richard McGarry, against Emily AlcGarry, on the grounds of desertion, Mr Justice Reed held that the evidence was not sufficient. The parties were married in Ireland, and had lived at Dili ladclpbia, U.S.A., also in Ireland. and again in America and then in Xea Zealand. There were eight children. The petitioner, an Irishman. said he had horn sleeping in a shed attached to their house (at Waikino), and that he had not lived with his wife for the last five years. She had recently left him altogether, and he had had to support tin- family alone. Ho was not sure whether lie had written to his wife asking her fo return, hut he possessed letters from respondent, in which she stated that she would not live with him. His Honour said these letters should have been produced. The mere fact that people did not live together did not, in itself, constitute grounds for divorce. The only course now was for the petitioner to write an affectionate letter to his wife, asking her fo return, if she refused, then proceedings for divorce could he taken on the grounds of restitution of conjugal rights. There was nothing definite in the ease at present.

RADIO FROM EUROPE. WELLINGTON. June 22. The Dutch Radio Station “P.C.J.J.” will relay Loudon, Paris and Laiigenberg from 2.39 o’clock to 7.30 o’clock on Friday morning. New Zealand time.

POLL OF RATEPAYERS. AUCKLAND, June 23. Ratepayers of Tamaka Road District adjoining Onohunga. decided by a poll to join the City by 891 votes to 206. Takapmia ratepayers' poll favoured rating on unimproved allies bv 1258 votes to 112. KNIFE STAB BEIL INVERCARGILL. Juno 23. At Bluff Police Court. Anthony MrIfac. a seaman on the Cumberland "u< committed for trial for infliction «f 'bodily harm upon William Power, by striking him with a knife. The evidence showed the men had 'been drinking. and during a (piarrcl accused seized a knife from a table with winch he struck Power. The doctor gave evidence that lie extracted about half the blade of a table knife from Power's <nr. The blade had followed the base of the skull, flie facial tierce being severed and Mullale suffered a partial facial paralysis. The knife missed important blood vessels and other nerves.

LISTENERS LEAGUE. AUCKLAND, June 13. Mr McNamara (Post Office Secretary) addressing Auckland Listeners’ League, said the Broadcasting Company's expenditure had been strictly in order and that programmes had not been of higher quality because of heavy capital expenditure, .650.000, and unavoidable heavy running expenses. The question of Government control was a matter of policy on which he could express no opinion. The Government had made an agreement with two responsible business men and was carrying it out. As for listeners seeing the balance sheets he thought they should accept the definite assurance by the Postmaster-Genera? that the in-

come was being properly spent and that everything was in order. The supervision was very strict indeed. Investors would not take up shares in the Company and the whole financial responsibility fell on Messrs Goodfcllow and Harris. Though capitalised originally at 620,000, the company had spent nearly .650,000 in erecting three stations. The Auckland and ( liristchureh stations cost approximately 68,500 and the new Wellington station aeoeuntod for nearly all the remainder. This involved heavy interest charges, which, with charges for depreciation, rent, sai'aries, royalties, rates, light, power, repairs and replacements, had to he met before anything was available for the purchase of talent. Tlie company was making plans so that this year more than the income in sight would ho expended on programmes. Ho understood the company intended within a fortnight to provide additional talent and improve the programmes. In anticipation of increased revenue the company had in view the relaying of the host programmes of one station to another but could not do so at present.

BOOKIES FINED. AUCKLAND. June 23. Henry Saunders, 29, admitted in the Police Court having kept n common gaming house in the Elite Tailoring Room, Customs Street, and Roy Thomas Fa brum, 20, pleaded guilty to assisting in the management. Saunders had been fined ,675 on a similar charge on January 3rd. AA hen the police raided the premises yesterday they received bets over the ’phone, and tlie results of races and the dividends. Saunders was fined 6100 and I‘ahrtint 650.

Two voting men. Charles Osmond Baker and Albert Hyland, caught making bets in front of the tote in a small way, were each fined 610.

PREMIER'S UNCLE DIES. AUCKLAND. June 23. Thomas Coates, of Ornkei, uncle of the Premier, died to-day, aged eighty. HOUSING PROPOSAL. WELLINGTON, June 23. Tlie Harbour Board has set up a committee to go into the question of providing houses for employees. The proposal is to spend 620.000 which will provide 22 houses. Afombers were unanimous in supporting the idea. In the course of discussion it was mentioned that some 1 years ago the hoard was offered fifty acres for '£4ooo. The offer was rejected and the land is now worth £40,000.

SAMOA LAW. WELLINGTON, June 23. An amendment of Samoa immigration consolidation order, 1024. is gazetted, substituting the GovernorGeneral in Council for the Minister of luternarl Affairs as the authority on which Samoa may act in regard to deportation of any person, il the administration is satisfied that such person is disaffected, disloyal or likely to be a source of danger to peace order and good government of Samoa. The most important part of the amendment lies in the deletion ot the remainder of sub-section (a). tins making it possible to deal with certain persons at present protected by the provisions of the sub-section, relating to residence in Samoa.

BIRTHS AND DEATHS. WELLINGTON'. June 33. The Health Department reports the Tiirth rate for 192 G was the lowest ever recorded in the Dominion, 28,473 being registered against 28,133 in 1925. The rate represents 21.05 per thousand of population and that for 1925 21.17.

The number of deaths registered was 11.819 as agaist 11,006 for the previous year, an increase of about half per cent attributed principally to influent and whooping cough,