DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 20. In the S.M. Court, George Cook, pleaded guilty to charges of attempted suicide and doing grevious bodily harm to Roy Harvey. He was committed for sentence. The incident occurred in Waitara Hotel where in a scuffle following an argument Cook attacked Harvey with a razor, seriously cutting him and subsequently slashed his own wrist. DEM ENTED LASCARS. WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. Midway between Panama and Auckland,, two Lascar members of the crew of the British motor ship “Cedar hank,” became temporarily demented and were put in irons. On the ship’s nrirvnl to-day. they were almost recovered.

Although the officers of the liioxoi ship are very reticent about the affair it is understood that the men won painting in the engine room and were overcome by the fumes of the paint. Both became very violent, the stronger of the pair requiring eight members of the crew to hold him. Once secured they were taken on the deck and drenched with cold watr. One of the Lascars, it is said, attempted to free himself by biting at his irons. As the result of treatment the men’s mental condition steadily improved, although the patients refused to he doctored by the ship’s officers. RECORD CLAIM. GISBORNE, Aug. 25. The biggest civil action heard in Gisborne for many years concluded at the Compensation Court to-day, after hearing evidence for tw<? days. The claimant.. Thomas George Lawless, claims £28.115 compensation. for land taken by tho Gisborne Harbour Board for the purpose of the new Harbour works in Gisborne. The claimant was represented hv Air J. Blair, and tho Board by Air Af. Afycrs (Wellington) and Air 11. T). Chrisp. The- evidence, which was largely on the lines of the value of land in Gisborne. concluded this afternoon. His Honour, Judge Ostler, intimated that if the Court, came to a decision, it would he delivered to-morrow morning.

AN UNUSUAL ACCIDENT. WELLINGTON. Aug. 25. One hind wheel of a motor ear mine off in Alannors Street to-day. tt ran on to the footpath and struck a. man, fortunately doing no injury. The cap flew off flic wheel and lodged in an adjacent shop. The ear was dragged along on three wheels some distance before it was stopped.

LICENSING REFORM. WELLINGTON, Aug. 25,

A meeting of the Licensing Reform Asoeiation issued a. manifesto stating that, in view of possible confusion arising out of newspaper controversy, the Dominion Executive of the New Zealand Licensing Reform Association desires to make it clear that its legislative programme, as agreed upon hv the 15)23 conference, and subsequently presented to the Government, has not been altered or amended. The attit are of all sections of t lie Licensed Trade towards the referenda, remains unchanged From the outset, it has been made clear that the Licensed Trade naturally preferred the continuance of the present system of private ownership. Their attitude 'towards the Aliddlo Issue has been, and is that they continue to support the claim of tiio moderate section for the light, to declare for a middle course of licensing reform. In this respect they look upon Corporate Control as a better and more practical solution than State purchase and control. Tho determinations of the Association in relation to Corporate Control have undergone no change whatever. The Association asks that this issue "he substituted for tho existing issue, and tie submitted to the electors under tho title of “Corporate Control.” The policy and proposals of the Licensing Reform Association can only he determined by tho conference assembled. The Dominion Executive reiterates its claim that the system of Corporate Control would provide as effective measures in the interests of temperance as would complete state .purchase.

bacon crimes. AUCKLAND. Aug. 24. For a breach of the regulation which forbids use of boric acid as a preservative for bacon, a, number of Auckland bacon oarers were fined in the Police Court. The defendants were the Auckland Meat Co. Ltd. ; Basil Darnell, Frank Darnell, George Harrison, tbe Hydra Bacon Co.. T. Roster, F. N. Maiulero, and W. Millerclian. Mr (Hubble, who appeared for the Health Department, said that bacon carers bad been in the habit of using boric acid ns a preservative. This saved smoking and also saved weight in tbe bacon. Boric acid affected tho digestions of consumers. The regulations forbidding its use were issued toward the end of last year, and all curers were notified. •Mr Terry, who appeared for the Auckland Meat Cov, said the practice of using boric acid was general. The demand in Auckland was for mild cured ham, which was cured with n little acid added to the brine. Mr liuler, who appeared for the other defendants, said that boric acid was the best preservative, and butter exported from New Zealand contained twenty grains of boric acid, to the pound; whereas bacon contained only 3.7 grains to tho pound. The object of tho regulations was to protect tho public and the public had not suffered. Mr Hubble said that the butter exported to England and America contained no boric acid, hut that which went to China did. Basil Darnell and Frank Darnell, neither of whom had received notice of the regulation, were convicted and ordered to pay costs. The other defendants were each fined £2.

DAIRY CONTROL. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 26. Mi- Grounds, Chairman of the Dairy Control Board, held a well attended meeting to-day. Speaking of recent control, ho blamed diverse interests on the Board for the London debacle; these were taken advantage of >W Toolev Street. He notified tlio pricefixing polic-v, though admitting tha it had not been 100 per cent efficient largely owing to British industrial trouble and urged continued support. A motion in favour of continuance of Control was carried unanimously.