DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.] M lid TAR V DEFAULTERS. CIVIL DISABILITY REMOVED, WELLINGTON, Sept. 1. The removal of the civil disabilities imposed on military defaulters in 1918 was agreed to- by the House to-night, when the “War Disabilities Removal” Bill was put through committee. 'The Attorney-General (the Hon. Mr Rolleston) said that, in addition to removing tho disabilities on alien enemy teachers and enemy immigrants and on the rights of women married to alien enemies in obtaining a divorce, the Government had decided that it would ho as well to clean ,tlie slate wholly. Under tho Act of 1918 it was enacted that military defaulters should bo deprived of their civil rights lor a period of ten years. The term would expire on December 10th of next year. If that Act was not repealed now it would mean that tho men concerned would really be deprived of their civil rights lor an additional period of three years, as they would miss the vote at the Parliamentaiv election next year.

Replying to Mr G. IV. Forbes (Hurimui). tho Minister said that as far as could bo learned there were now only albout twenty men in the Dominion who were afl’ceted by the Act of 1918. Mr A. Harris (Waitemafa) divided the House on the question as, to whether the disability mi alien enemy teachers should be removed. IL- considered that if it was right to remove tho disability now ibe House had done an injustice to the teachers affected when it passed the Act in 1915. He contended that it was dangerous to hand over the training ol the youth of ibe Dominion to a man such as a juofe.-s.u- <r. Ybtorin College, v.bo had deliberately refused lo revoke his Genual) nationality, and who therefore had to give up his position. Mr Harris's amendment that the disability on the teachers should remain, was defeated by -17 votes to 13, and the Bill was passed through committee.

-MAGISTRATE ON SUICIDE. AUCKLAND. Sept. 1. “If you ever feel like committing suicide, think twice and postpone dispatch until after a good meal.” This was the advice which Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M.. gave to a man aged 56, who pleaded “guilty” in the Police Court to-day to a charge of attempting to commit suicide. Mr Hogg, who appeared for accused, said that he had been on a drinking bout, and influenza bad weakened bis moral fibre.

The Magistrate, addressing accused, said: “You think twice belorc you make a fool of yourself again. Have a good meal and think about it afterwards.”

Accused was prohibited, and ordered to come up for sentence when called on. and his gun license was cancelled. Tho Magistrate also ordered tho suppression of his name.

HAMILTON RESIDENT DROWNED. HAMILTON, Sept. 1. A fatal accident occurred at To Aroha at 8 n.m. to-day, when A. A. Wagstn.fr, a prominent local resident, lost his life. Deceased, accompanied by his daughter Connie, was driving to the To Aroha Station when the car skidded at a bridge. He was thrown out into the creek and drowned, the body being afterwards recovered some distance downstream. His daughter was picked up unconscious on the road.

Mr Wagstaff was prominently associated with all public affairs. He was n. member of tho Waikato Hospital Board, president of the Thames Valley Agricultural and Pastoral Association, besides being a inemoei bculi of tho local Drainage Board and the Waitoa Drainage Board.

OLD MAN’S SUICIDE. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept 2 An inquest on James Heney, whose body was found washed up on the bench at New Brighton on Wednesday, was held to-day. Heney, who had been barman at Rotherfield Hotel, bad been recently dismissed from bis position on account of bis age, sixty five. He'” ey said he “was very cut up about it,” and had no chance of getting another position. When found, the body bad not been long in the water. The pro sumption was that the man had walked into the sea and had been drowned. The Coroner returned a verdict that Heney was found drowned. Heney was one of the most important witnesses in the famous Mount murder trial. He was the last person who had seen Airs Mount alive.

AMERICAN FINED. AUCKLAND, September 2. As the sequel to a motor-car smash at Takanini, Louis Wiliam Young, aged 2d, stage artist, driver of the cai was fined five pounds for conceiting it to his own use, and one pound for driving without a license. Accused had an American license, and thought it was applicable to the Dominion. The ear was valued at six hundred pounds and the damage was estimated at three hundred.

VICTIM OF GAS POISONING. MASTERTOX. Sept. 2. At the inquest to-day on Milliam Gillespie, who was found dead in his office this morning, the Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to gas poisoning, hut was not prepared to say whether it was self administered or accidental. A gas tap in the room near Gili'espie was found turned on. Another man asleep in the room was not affected.

LEVEL CROSSING FATALITY. PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 2. A tragedy occurred at Host St crossing this afternoon, when a o-seatcr car, driven by Owen Saiulilamls Eryerman, contractor. 03, years of age. ol Palmerston North, collided with a mixed train from Wellington. Eryerman was killed instantaneously The car was mangled into a useless heap of ironwork. Deceased had a dear view of the line, and the engine driver sounded a long blast fifty yards from the crossing. The tragedy is in explicable. Deceased leaves a widow and children. ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES. ASHBURTON, Sept. 2. The Ashburton County Council unanimously carried a resolution to protest strongly against the powers of the Electoral Boundaries Commission to fix electoral boundaries without due regard to the most important principles, such as community of interest, topographical features, and means of communicaiton as shown in recent adjustments in which the Ashburton district is severed, and all the Ashburton county and borough is suitable in every respect to he constituted a separate electorate. A copy of the resolution is to be forwarded to the Premier with a request that the necessary amendments he made to prevent a repetition.