DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1927, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) A CHILD IN J FRED. | CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 13. Bruce Keller, aged (>.}, while driving in a motor-ear with his mother yesterday was thrown through the windscreen, being taken later to the hospital, suffering from head injuries. The accident was caused by Mrs Keller’s dog jumping from a seat on to the steering wheel causing the car to swerve. INDIAN’S THEFT. AUCKLAND, Dee. 13. AY hen Roy Chatterjec, aged 31. an Indian doctor of philosophy, was presented at Court to-day for sentence on a charge of stealing three rings valued at £33, he "as unable to tell the Court anything about one ring tin recovered. Chattcrjee had obtained the rings to sell, hut he did not return them and pawned one. The police said his character and reputation were unsatisfactory. As soon as the accused know the police were looking for him, lie left for the south and was arrested at Palmerston North. He had previous convictions for theft. The Magistrate remarked that there had been a go al deal of carelessness on the part of the dealer, from whom the prisoner obtained the ring, and fined Chattcrjee .£IA. ordering him to pay £2A for one ring and -Ms to the pawnbroker, in default (I months.

11l BLF-I.N-SCHOOLS. DUNEDIN, Dee. 12. The New Zealand Bihle-in-Schools League consider,*?! the question ol future policy at a fully representative meeting, presided over by Archbishop A vo rill. The formal report of the Parliamentary Committee was presented by the lion L. Al. Isitr. AI.L.C.. and Air H. Holland. ALP. for Christchurch North. The executive viewed the defeat of the Religious Exercises in Schools Bill by a small majority in the recent session of Parliament is largely due to the Nelson system being interposed. This system is not viewed by the league executive as an adequate solution of the problem in view, though it is quite prepared for il to continue wherever it may lie in operation when the Religious Exercises in Schools Act may conic into force.

The following resolution was unanimously carried:—‘‘That, reviewing the work of the past and anticipating renewed activity, the New Zealand Executive endorses anew the principles embodied in the Religious Exercises in Schools Rill. Gratitude is expressed to the army of voluntary wankers ny wlinse efforts the parents’ plebiscite was so largely effective in ohtainng, the views of parents, mill extreme .satisfaction at the overwhelming vote, over SO per cent ol the votes, in iavour of the Bill in a campaign where much misrepresentation of the spirit of the Bible in Schools movement has been one of the principal weapons of attack. -Sympathy is expressed to those who have been most before the public eye in this respect, and anpreciatioii of their magnificent honorary sen ice is linked to full confidence in them. The league dissociates itself from all bitterness of spirit and religious bigotry, and urges all supporters to the utmost Christian charity, in the confidence that the problems ol national religious education will eventually lie solved as reasonable men determine."

The league’s plans for a campaign in 11)28 were drafted. There are >ndieations that if the Bill is not passed by the next session of Parliament, the question of Bible in schools will he a live one at till next elections.

ASSAULT AT SKA. NAPIER-. Dec. 12. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Harold Lowe, of the steamer Port Curtis, was charged with assaulting David Jones. liy throwing him to the deceit of the aforesaid vessel, while Frederick Hesse, of the same ship, was charged with tilt same offence and also appeared on a charge of assaulting Robert Gibson Tlmrwell, chief engineer ot the Port C urt is. by sti iking him in the face. Kadi of the offences was alleged to have been committced on the high seas.

For the prosecution it was said that Hesse, who had given trouble at New Plymouth, struck the chief engineer without provocation ami then, with the other accused, assaulted the tilth engineer (Jones), when he ordered them to their work. The presence of the men in tl’.e ship it was alleged, was a menace to its well-being. The licensed were remanded till tomorrow morning to enable counsel to ascertain what share of responsibility the company 'is prepared to take in sqoing that they are shipped hack to England after sentence has been passed.

MILD PANIC ON LAUNCH. AUCKLAND, Dec. 12. A Hare up from a kerosene stove caused confusion among passengers on the launch Awbitu oil a trip Irom Wluitipu to Oudiunga last evening, and resulted in the vessel ramming a rock. She readied Oudiunga well up to schedule time An examination made at the wharf disclosed that the hull hud suffered slight damage The launch left ’Wluitipu at fonto’clock with over thirty passengers. The owner, Mr C. 11. White, was at the wheel. Preparations were made for tea for the party, and a kerosenestove was started dose inshore several miles from Whatipu when the stove flared up. 51 r White was endeavouring to lend assistance to the passengers who were trying to quell Hie flames when a side eddy caught the lniincli and swung the how towards a rock. The stem struck, with consider able tone, and there was a mild panic among the passengers. The launch was Lacked out and it was seen that there was no risk in continuing ttie voyage.

' RAILWAY DEPARTMENTS. WELLINGTON. Dec. 13. Important changes are involved in the reclassification of the First Division of ti'e Railway Department, which bus now been completed. All the positions have been advertised and these it is understood have been filled, pending confirmation by Cabinet in respect of the higher positions of the service. The whole of the regulating scheme comes into operation in terms of th; provisions of the Government Railways Amendment Act, passed during the session, which brought the Railway Department into line with other parts of the Government service, with respect to classification, regarding the right of appeal, procedure following appeal, and the constitution of tlie Appeal Boards. Tlie changes of importance made by the roclassificSition relate chiefly to the higher positions in the Service, and are due for announcement shortly. A PRESENTATION. WELLINGTON, Dec. 13.

After a meeting of the Executive Council, held at Parliament Buildings, His Excellency the Governor-General, in the presence of ministers of the Crown, members of the Railway Board, representatives of branches of the de- - partment, and others, presented to Mr • F. J. Jones. M.Y.0., Chairman of the Railway Board, the badge of a Companion of the Imperial Service Order, together with His Majesty’s warrant,conferring upon him that dignity.