DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.

DRIVER ARRESTED

GISBORNE, Sept. 27

Jack Brennan, driver of the taxi which overturned last night near Ruatorin, resulting in the death ot Michael Hickey and minor in juries to Ibe driver and two others, was arrested on a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of the vehicle and also causing bodily harm.

DANCE LICENSE, CANCELLED. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 27. On account of complaints received regarding the conduct of persons attending certain dances at the Art Gallery, the City Council decided last night to cancel the license issued to tho Gallery as a public building for the conduct of dances. The report of the Committee was as follows:—“For some time past the Committee has been receiving serious complaints as to the conduct of persons who attend certain dances bold at the Art Gallery. From inspections made it is felt that the complaints arc justified and the committee, therefore. recommends that the license issued in respect of the Art Gallery us a public building be cancelled.”

CLOSING OF ART GALLERY. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. i 27. As a result of the closing of the art gallery for dances, the Secretary of the Art Society says legal action is probable to oppose the Council’s ruling. He contends the Council’s letter in regard to the conduct of the people attending the dances is libellous and certainly “a gross injustice.’’ ELDERLY WOMAN’S DEATH. AUCKLAND, Sept. 27. vMrs C. Chamberlain, 74, residing at Mount Albert, who was admitted to tho hospital on Sunday with a broken thigh died this morning.

KILLED BY OAR. AUCKLAND, Sept. 27. Mrs Elizabeth Sarah Short, aged 72, died at the hospital as a result of injuries received through being knocked down by a motor car at a road corner in Epsom last evening, her grandson, Leslie Hosking, also sustaining severe laceration of the leg. They were about to hoard a tram-car, when they were struck by a motor car, which did not stop. Mrs Short, who is wellknown in Wellington leaves a husband, W. S. Short, and six children. She arrived in New Zealand about 70 years ago.

RAILWAY WORKING PROFITS. WELLINGTON, Sept. 23.' The excess of receipts over expenditure in the New Zealand Railways last month was £6420 against £41,989 in the corresponding period last year. Earnings last month were £6484 less than in August, 1926, while expenses were £29,095 higher. For the 20 weeks of the financial year covered by the periodical accounts tho working profit lias been £354,055, against £503,026 for the corresponding period Inst year, and £405,568 in 1925. The decline in comparison with last year is equivalent to over 29 per cent. *

WANTED A PLUMBER. WAIHI, Sept. 23. Owing to the action of the recently appointed health inspector for tills district in drawing the attention of the Borough Council to the fact that none of the local plumbers are registered, as required by the Act, in so far as carrying out sanitary and drainage plumbing is concerned, and that private employers and council are equally liable where an unregistered plumber is engaged, the council at its meeting last evening decided to notify those carrying on business here of legal obligations in the matter. This is likely to prove soinewhat of a bombshell both to plumbers and bouse owners.

NATIONAL BEG ULATIONS. WELLINGTON, Sept. 23. The Government having decided that the regulation of motors should be placed in the hands of the Public Works Department, which had previously shouldered the responsibility of administering the motor omnibus regulations and those relating to heavy traffic, the way became clear for the introduction of universal motor regulations. These, when operating, will replace the contradictory local by-laws on the subject throughout the Dominion. This in itself will be a notable advance. It is reported that general motor regulations applicable to private drivers are about to be circulated among local bodies, motoring associations and others interested. Time will be given for consideration of this draft, then regulations will be finally passed for general operation. The Public Works officers have, it is understood, incorporated into the national regulations important ■ provisions which motorists have long desired. They have followed the precedent of the heavy traffic regulations by providing for a system of signals to be observed when a motorist proposes to change his direction. This can lie done either by arm signal o>- by some approved mechanical method, of which there are several in use in New Zealand. New regulations will also include the right-hand rule, which will remove uncertainty as to which vehicle has the right of the road at intersections. The rule' mostly observed in New Zealand, and in some cases enforced under local by-law, is that the motorist must give way to the vehicle which approaches him from the intersection on his righthand. Many other important points, now the subject of much confusion owing to the contradictory by-laws, will be settled in the new regulations soon to make their appearance.

APPEAL COURT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. The Appeal Court assembled to-day for its filial session this year. Sir J. Sim took the place of the Chief Justice and others on the bench were Justices Herdnian, Reed, Adams, and Jstler. Seven cases were aloltted and dates and applications were made for the leave of appeal of seven convicted persons who were not represented. The Court said it would investigate them. Sir John Findlay, in asking for a fixture before the Full Court, for leave to appeal against the conviction of three Samoan chiefs for a breach of the banishment order made by llie Samoan Court, stated the case was an intricate and important one, as appellants called the validity of Samoan Act,1921, under which the Banishment Order was made, in question. A substantial question was whether this Act was ultra vires of the New Zealand Legislature anti this involved questions relating to the Constitution of New Zealand. This case was set down for October 10th. The Court adjourned till to-morrow.

A DRUNKEN MOTORIST. j AUCKLAND, Sept. 27. At the Police Court Thomas Whitnell Churches, 23, pleaded guilty to being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor car last night and was fined £SO and his license was cancelled for two years. fined for "bookmaking. AUCKLAND, Sept. 27. Gladys Florence ft marriea woman, aged 32, pleaded guilty to carrying on the business of- a book-

maker at Ellerslie racecourse. The Chief Detective stated accused has been in business as a bookmaker for 18 months. Yesterday she was seen betting with women. She went to the course with five guineas. Just prior to the sixth race she had £3B 9s Gd in her handbag. She had women scouting for her and paid them well. She had a husband and two children. Her husband had been out of work but was now employed. Mr Hunt, S.M., fined accused £25.