DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(Hy Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

i .WYA FLAT TUNNEL CONTRACT. WELLINGTON, Aug. 25.

The first contract lor Tawa Flat tunnel, which i.s to give the Flat an mulct from Wellington, and avoid the heavy grades just outside the town on the Manawatu line, has been let to Burnside and -Matthews, of Tangowahine, near 'Dargavil[e. There are ready two tunnels, as the work is intersected by Ngahauranga Gorge, and this contract merely covers the construction of the bottom heading to No. 1 as a preliminary to the real work on the tunnels, tenders for which are invited in and out of New Zealand.

PILLAGE CLAIMS. WELLINGTON. Aug. 25. At the Harbour Hoard it was stated that claims for pillage against the Hoard during the past year only amounting to LI Ids fid. One member, however, said this was not by a long way all the pillage that had been paid for by the shipping companies. Other members took exception to this and a suggestion was made that shipping companies should give the amounts they had to pay out at the respective ports, so that it could he seen what the position actually was. SOUTHDOWN SHEEP SOCIETY. PALMERSTON N.. Aug. 25. Tlfc first annual meeting of the Southdown Sheep Society was held yesterday. 'Die annual report stated the outstanding feature of the past year’s work was the change from the Association covering a number of breeds to a society to deal wholly with Southdowns in the Dominion. The first volume of the Society’s flock hooks will shortly be ready to issue. The members’ total flocks are close oil five hundred, new registrations for the past year were 7f>, being a record. The assets total’ £*>2o. The Chairman, Mr James Knight, said the prospects of the new Society were excellent. The election of officers resulted: President: [f. M. Stuckey; Vice-Presi-dent: Knight (North Island), John Deans ('South Island). Council: TL J. Andrew, W. H. Ruiek, ,T. Deans, G. F. Elies. W. If. Gumblett, W. J, Jenkins, ,f. Knight, J. Stevenson, TI. 11. Stuckey and C. E. Vill. A (SUBSTANTIAL CLAIM. GISBORNE, Aug. 2.5. The Compensation Court, presided over by .Tustico Ostler, is engaged today on a. claim for £28,41-5 made by Thomas G. Lawless against the Gisborne Harbour Board, as compensation for land taken for harbour construction.

RIPPED BY BOAR. TAUMARANUT, Aug. 25

While crossing a paddock on bis property al. Sandy Beach, a native. John Pihama. was attacked hv a hoar pig running in the paddock with pigs. Both legs were ripped open and a severe wound received in the hack. Pihama was hospitalled. SO I.TCI TOR SEX T F.XC'K D. (! IS HORNE, Aug. 2.5.

At the Supreme Court. John Xoden .Rutland, an ex-solicitor, was sentenced to two years hard labour ori twelve charges of misappropriations involving £2488. to which be uled guilty. It was stated by M•• Myers, K. 0., on behalf of accused that the defalcations of his laic partner led accused to take the wrong path and alter spending £ls(X> he found £15.000 was still owing, and gave himself up to tlic police. The Judge staled that the prisoner bad admittedly gambled and continued stealing alter be knew the position lie was in. Probation was out of the question. BIGAMY CHARGE. AUCKLAND, Aug. 25. The II ope case was further adjourned at the Police Court this morning until September nth to a fiord Sullivan (counsel for Hope) an opportunity to proceed to 'Wellington to interview the Minister of Justice and others. Sullivan stated accused told him Sir James Parr had previously asked him (Hope) to supply the names of four people in England who knew him. These names wore handed to Sir James Parr, hut nothing further teas done, as about that time Parr was appointed High Commissioner and left for London.

THREE -MONTHS GAOL. AUCKLAND, Aug. 25. Alfred Arthur Hinds, 49, received three months’ imprisonment for being an idle and disorderly person with no lawful means of support. Detective Nafiler stated fie bad known Ilinds for

the past four years. The last two years be bad been living with a girl of eighteen years of age, in a flat in Pon-

sonby. He bad been with her eve since she turned sixteen.

In consequence of numerous theft's from factories and residences in the district, witness visited accused’s flat. Accused admitted he had not been working for the past two years. A number of tins which the girl said had been brought to the bouse by accused, according to accused were brought with groceries, but they were similar to tins stolen from factories. 4be girl stated Hinds often left tbe flat at mid-night, saying be was going fishing. In the morning she woui’d find tbe pantr.v well replenished. Detective Ward produced accused’s crime record which included house-breaking and brooking and entering. Accused was also subject to a maintenance order respecting bis own children, one daughter being nearly as old ns tbe girl be bad been living with.