DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. CORONER’S COAJAIKNTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. March 7. The danger of not having the services of an expert pathologist at a post mortem examination, owing to the inadequate fee now provided by the •Justice Department, was stressed yesterday by Mr .Mosley, S.M., and members of the Bar. at the conclusion of the Duncan case. ••Alv duty lias been greatly simplified by the detailed and excellent report of

Dr Pearson of Christchurch Hospital,” said Air Afoslev. "AAe are fortunate in having a man like Dr Pearson in such cases. 1 hope he will bo available Tor all post mortem examinations, nnri not, as at present, only at my personal •and earnest solicitations, owing to the laet that the Justice Department has reduced fees for post mortem examina-

linns so Hint'll Unit one cannot reason ibly ask the services of a man like l)i Pearson. The sooner Dr Pearson's ser •ices are available for such eases tin letter for the country.”

SKA MEN PROTEST. ■WELLINGTON. March G. The monthly slop work meeting o he Feilerated Seamen’s Fnion o 'Tew Zealand was held to-day. The following resolution was nnaninonsly carried in connection with | Nauru Island Irade and Newcasth j coal trade“ That we receive with | dismay the report of our representatives who waited on the Prime .Minister oil February 23. in reference to the Nauru phosphate trade, and Australian coal trade. We consider the policy of the Governnnvit in importing phosphate and coal in foreign vessels while seamen of New Zealand are unemployed, is against the best interests of the seafarers, particularly, and the country generally ; and whilst we I endorse the utilisation of New Zealand coal and products with New Zealand where practicable, we strongly submit that where coal and other commodities are imported at the reel nest or order of the Government, this trade should be given to companies employing New Zealand seamen, and paying the wages and obii... ” 1- '■ " ' |

try.” A POLITICAL DISPUTE, TUT HO PAItTY STATKMRNT. OAXXKVI U K 10, M:nrli 7. Ueverting to the recoil t controversy between the Minister of Lands and Mr K A. .Hansom, M.P. for Pahiatua, on the matter of soldiers settlement, •lames Gray writes to the ‘‘ Evening News” concerning a statement by Mr Hansom that the land he (Hansom) offered to the Government was '‘.situated at Utmroa anil consisted of (ion acres well improved land, and lie subsequently sold 254 acres of this boldine at C 52 10s per acre and the owner is well satisfied with his bargain. The balance of 401 acres I stdl own and it is a very good holding at the amount remaining at the price at which it was offered to the Crown.”

-Mr Gray says: “ This statement is misleading ns no actual sale took place. Mr llansoni, owing to financial reasons, made an adjustment in connection with a property that lie purchased from me at Akftio. It suited my convenience to make an adjustment I would not otherwise have considered, for the linn Kou property. .Mr Ransom would lead the pulilie to believe that he still holds 101 acres, which he values at the price of adjustment. This is only part of the truth. .Mr Ransom certainly still holds the title to this property, lot retains it for reasons best known to ' himself under mortgage to me, that make him merely the nominal owner.

’ T regret, my private affairs should be dragged into the controversy on this land, bur, I have no option as Mr Hansom has put his political interests above a. proper statement of the facts. .Mr Hansom had no authority from me to state 1 was well satisfied with my bargain.”

RURAL BONDS ISSUE. WELLINGTON, March 7. Mr Downie Stewart (Minister of Finance) states that in order to enable farmer interests to he reached it has been decided to extend the closing date of the Rural Advances bond issue now before the public. The proceeds of the issue are to provide capital on a longlc m instalment system for farmers. PRODUCE OUTPUT. WELLINGTON. March 7. The Department of Agriculture dairy division grading figures for February show for butter a decrease from February. 1927. of thirteen point nine pc;; cent at, 6951 tons, and for cheese a decrease of six point eight per cent at 89-12 tons. Compared with the corresponding period of the preceding '••a son the month’s figures show for bn.tor an increase of nine point three per cent at 58.807 tons, and for cheese an increase of two tier cent at: fifi.fi 2l tons. Converting both butter and cheese into butterfat equivalent the increase is seven point nought five per cent. BREACH OF ISOLATION ORDER. CHRISTCHURCH. March 7. As the result- of an isolation order in a case of scarlet, lever, Ethel Goodrich, married, was charged with a I,reach of the health regulations, and was convict, d and ordered to pay cost,, 20 |(is. The evidence showed that one child had contracted fever and that the other was found swimming next day in the school baths, despite the isolation order. JUMPED OVERBOARD. AUCKLAND. March 7. Geoffrey Coates, a passenger on the Devonport terry steamer Makama, leaped overboard at 9.20 Ibis morning. He appeared to lie swimming strongly 150 yards in the wake of the vessel. He caught a buoy dropped after him. Ilie steamer hacked and he was lilted aboard. He fought the captain, mate and several passengers in an effort to repeal the performance until his hands were hound with rope. He appeared at the Police Court on a charge of attempted suicide and was remanded ti ’ T! in s'.lfiy. Correction: The name of the man who jumped overboard on the font steamer is Geoffrey Cope. CHINESE FINED. AUCKLAND, March 7. Six Chinese who had overstayed their permits for residence in New Zealand were fined sums of £SO. £2O and 210 each.