DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) VIEW ON TARIFF. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 14. Although an official statement has not yet been made by Canterbury Manufacturers Assn, regarding a revision of the Tariff an indication was given to-day that members are very dissatisfied. Many of them feel that little or no attention has been paid by the Commission to the evidence that was tendered by manufacturers. A special meeting of the Tariff Committee of the Association will be held to consider the matter this afternoon. It came as an agreeable surprise to a good many people to find that the tariff on spirits remains as formerly. ENGINEER DISMISSED. ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERED UNSATISFACTORY. AUCKLAND, Sept. 13. The Mount Albert Borough Council at a special meeting to-night, decided to dispense with the services of its engineer, Mr W. H. Cook, on tlie general ground that the administration of his department had pot been satisfactory.

In spite of an appeal by Mr Cook, supported by the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers, and the chairman of the Ratepayers’ Association, the Council declined to make any specific complaints against the engineer. There were two dissentients.

GOAD EXPLOSIONS. WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. In consequenoo of explosions that had been occurring recently in coal used for domestic purposes, the Deputy Chief Inspector of Explosives, in conjunction with a technical" representative of Nobel’s Explosive Company, made an inspection of the State and other mines on the West Coast. They also carried out experiments with a fire grate similar to a cottage grate. ’Tlie conclusions arrived at points to the fact that most of the explosions that have recently occurred by the domestic use of coal, may be attributed to the presence of stone in the coal, stones sometimes bursting with some violence, throwing portions a distance of 18ft.

It is possible, however, that in one or two cases the explosions were caused by explosives, but all possible precautions have in tlicir opinions been taken at. times to prevent a recurrence of this class of explosion. It has been decided that tlie regulations be amended, with a view to ensuring a thorough search for explosives in the case of misfired shots. The proposed amendments have already been put in operation In the State Mines.

DEFENCE ACT CHARGE. AUCKLAND, Sept, 14. The drilling student, Alan Morgan Richards, who recently refused to attend military parades on the ground of religious belief, again appeared in the Police Court to-day when twm charges of failing to attend drill wore preferred against him. Sergeant Major Landman said Richards claimed exemption on grounds of religious belief. He refused to parade. Richards said he had applied for exemption. Magistrate Hunt: “What do you do for a living?” Richards: “1 am studying at tlie University. I intend to go into the Ministry.” The Magistrate: “Why cannot you driir?” Richards: "It clashes with my religious belief. It is not for any other reason.” The Magistrate then suggested that Richards could play some useful part such as cleaning out latrines. “What about the ambulance?” he added. Would you object to assisting the suffering and sick?” Richards replied he would lie able to do that if it was quite separate, and apart from training. The Magistrate: “Can you take Hm in the ambulance or put him on latrines Mr Landman?” Sergeant Major Landman: “I am afraid not. He refuses to do anything. He considers war is butchery.” Richards: “Yes. T do.” The Magistrate imposed a fine of £5 on each charge. “Others can go To drill, hut of course he is too superior lie oborved. M ATZF.-G ROWF.RS PROTEST. GISBORNE, Sept. It.

Merchants view the reduction of the duty on maize with considerable alarm. Maize-growing in Poverty Bay has greatly increased in recent years and has become a substantial branch of farming. The Merchants’ Association is calling a meeting of protest against the proposed reduction.

CHEQUE FRAUDS. WHANG ARE I, Sept. 14. Subsequent to tne hearing of a charge of misappropriation of a cheque for £l7 11s 6d, the property of tho Mangonui County Council, on which Charles McKinnon, County Treasurer, was acquitted by justices in tlio Knitnra Court yesterday, two further charges ' were heard by Messrs W. 11. Grigg and J. H. Bedgood, J’s.P. in the evening. The first of these alleged that on December 11th, 1925, accused received £45 2s 3d in money from V. P. Casev in terms requiring him to account to the County Council, and he lmd failed to pay the sum in as required. It further was alleged that on the same date accused had knowingly furnished a false return for a sum of money, £146 18s, collected per rate by him from V. P. Casey for the County Council, by substituting therefor a sum of £9B 5s 9d.

Accused was committed to stand hi 3 trial at the Supreme Court on both charges, bail' being fixed in two sureties of £3O each, and one in sell for £IOO. Detective Denorville. of Whangarei, prosecuted, and Mr Logan appeared for accused.

ISLAND TRAGEDY. AUCKLAND), Sept. 14. Qn November 2nd of last year, three men—Charles Henry Parker, Alfred Bacon, and James Ashworth—left Auckland by the Government steamer Hinemna for Sunday Island, where they entered, taking up tobacco growing, etc. They were landed there by Captain A. B. Cant four days later. On April of last year. Captain Cant, while on his way to Auckland, saw signals flying oil the island. The steamer was hove to, and Bacon apd Ashworth were taken off. They said their companion 1x3,1 xed - An inquest concerning the death of Parker was held before Coroner Hunt,

S.M., this morning. Bacon said that about the middle of March the deceased got a splinter from a fern in his finger. Witness poulticed the finger and on March 20, deceased appeared ill. He seemed to be partly paralysed, and could diardly swallow or open his mouth. He died early on the morning of March 23, and was buried. This evidence was corroborated by Ashworth and by extracts from diaries kept bv Bacon and by deceased. Dr Murray said that, after hearing the evidence ho was of opinion that deceased died of Tetanus, following a wound on his finger. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence. The Coroner said he considered the companions of the deceased had done all in their power to save liis life.

VICTIMISED OF WOMEN. WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Travelling in July to New Zealand from Australia, Edward Charitea Townsend Charles Neville, 28, met an Auckland lady, whom he married on arrival in that city. ' He lived at a fashionable hotel, paying with a valueless cheque. He deserted his wife at Frnnkton and came to Wellington, putting up at the Grand Hotel, when ho stole a boarder’s binoculars, some clothing and a cheque book, and another’s suit. Ho paid the licensee’s wife with a valueless cheque for £ls and went south. He was arrested in Christchurch, and in the Court to-day got nine months’ imprisonment. ITc also was remanded to appear at Auckland next week on a charge of issuing a. valueless cheque there.

LIBERAL PARTY. WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Although a complete understanding, as it is termed has been reached between the Liberal aim National political organisations a definite setPlement and complete - reconstruction oi tho Parties still remains but a possibility of the future. The quarterly conference of the; new Liberal Party will bo held before the session ends, and more is likely to lie heard of the matter then. The supporters of the amalgamation movement have been heartened by th’e decision of the Nationalists not to contest the Raglan Seat, and they aro waiting to sec whether any of the Nationalist membor.s will take the hustings in support of tho selected liberal nominee. Invitations have been issued to them to speak in the electorate during the campaign.

EX-DETECTIVE COOPER. WELLINGTON. Sept. 15. Counsel 'for lex-Deteetive Cooper, who was forced to resign after a recent court case, took exception to tlie Commissioner’s action on the grounds that a civil action was no reason for dismissing him. If any action was contemplated it should have been taken when Cooper was fined £2 at a private police enquiry. He was also refused pay for forty-six days leave, to which he was entitled. The Commissioner’s reply is that when Cooper was lined lie was not fully aequained with all the facts of the case, and when he learned them lie decided that Cooper must go. If he had not resigned he would have been dismissed. Leave in the Police Force was a privilege and not a right, and Cooper had forfeited his claim to it by bis action.

HEATED DISCUSSION. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept. 15. A moeting held here last night of shop assistants convened by tho district organiser for the purpose oi forming a shop assistants union, rejected tho proposition by 61 votes to 3 after a somewhat heated discussion. ACCIDENTALLY KILLED. WAIROA, Sept- 15. Charles Murray, an elderly married man while returning to Waikaremoana in a motor truck from a funeral at Wairoa yesterday, it is alleged grabbed the steering wheel, causing the lorry to somersault several times over a bank. He had his chest crushed and was killed instantly. The other occupants fortunately escaped with minor cuts and bruists.