DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. A COURT CASE. , CHRISTO!HUGH, Afav 8. Air E. D. Alosley, S.M., hoard a case in the Magistrate's Court, in which John. AlcGillion was charged with drunkenness. ‘‘He was drunk.” sa.id Sub-Inspector Fitzpatrick, ‘‘and bo engaged a taxi. Tbe driver dro\c him round the town for some time, then, finding that the man could not pay his fare, drove him to the Police Station. I want to say.” tho subinspector continued, ‘‘that if taxidrivers think elicy are going to drive drunks round town, and get the faros bv dropping them at the Police Station, they are making a big mistake.” Accused was fined LO.s, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment.

FATAL FALL. , AUCKLAND. Alav 8

As the result of injuries sustained when he foil from a tramc.-ir on Ansae'Day, the death of Francis Walker. aged 79, occurred in the hospital. Walker sustained concussion of tho brain and other injuries.

NEW /ZEALAND TRADE WELLINGTON. ATay 8. According to the Customs returns, in the year ended 31st Alarch, 1928, New Zealand’s exports increased by £9.279,093. and her imports decreased |, V £3,773,313. There was thus a total turnover of £13,058,008. More than half the increase in the value of the exports isi due to tho increase 1 £4.775.004) ill the value of the wool exported. Conversely, ft great deal of the fall in the imports is found in the figures for motor vehicles; The value of cars declined by £1,308,474 (from £3,ISL--287 hi 1925-27 to £1.874.813 in 192728). This is the. second financial year in succession i iiai the moior , chicle imports lone declined by over one million sterling. The number of vehicles imported in 1925-20 was 21.33 i, and in 1920.27, 29.120; whilst in 1927-28 11,839..

THE CHIEF JUSTICE. WELLINGTON. May 8

The Chief Justice of the Dominion the lion. Sir Charles Skerrott, underwent a serious operation to-day, resulting in the amputation of a log-

it is understood that the operation was rendered necessary through the presence in the leg of a clot of blood, and that amputation was resorted to finally to prevent complications. The operation was performed bv Sil Donald AlcGavin. At a late hour tonight. Sir Charles Skerrctt’s condition was reported to be satisfactory.

A BOXER DEPARTS. DUNEDIN. May 9,

The boxer Gillespie returns to Melbourne by tlie Manuka to-day. 'I be Otago Association is unable to match him"with Leekic at 9.-1, which ho stipulated, and he had no prospects ol further New Zealand engagements. In appreciation of his conduct throughout his stay in Dunedin, tho Association presented him with an oak shield.

A BIG PROPOSITION. DUNEDIN. Alav 9

Negotiation * have been entered into with the Harbour Board for land at Ravensburnc to establish a superphosphates works. The capital ol tic proposed Company will lie a quarter o a million sterling, a considerable portion being subscribed by a New Zealand corporation, ami the remainder probably by English capital and public subscription.

OTAGO’S -HARBOUR. DUNEDIN, May 9

It is, understood the Harbour .Board has nearly concluded negotiations with the Government lor tlie purchase of the latter’s wharves at Fort Chalmers. In some quarters this is expcclnd to load to concentration by the Board on Fort Chalmers as the main Otago port.

OTAKI BOROUGH

WELLINGTON, -May 9

Questions, appertainin'!; to tlio rating system of the Borongh of Otaki {,, the advisability of abolishing the Borough and to the form of Government that could be substituted, «eie considered by the Commission which was set up to inquire into, and report on the matters commenced at the sitting • Mr Brooks, Valuer-General, gave a Historical resume of the developments in the status of Otaki in recent years, while l)r Shore gave an outline of the failure of the sewerage scheme. Ihe Commission is likely to last from ten to twelve days.

SENTENCED. PALMERSTON N., May 9. William. Alfred Temokitn Walden, who yesterday was found guilty of earnaily knowing a fifteen year old girl, this morning was sentenced to three years’'hard labour. Speaking in regard to the point raised by counsel for the defence, his Honour said he was confidently of the opinion that the evidence given by the Crown sufficiently moved the age of the girl. 11 counsel" considered otherwise he could refer the matter to the Court of Appeal.

DWELLING BURGLED. PALMERSTON N.. May 9. Ptiring the week-end the premises of Mrs Avery at the corner ot Grey and Sydney. Streets was enteied in the absence of the owner. 1 | |P burglars thoroughly ransacked the dive’ling, apparently in search «t money, but it is not ascertainable whether anything was taken.

FPFC\TiONAL INSTITUTE’S DECISION. WELLINGTON, May 9. .At the annual conference ol the Now Zealand Educational Institute, it was decided"l his Institute i> of the opinion that there should he embodied in the Education Act. Provisions whereby the Institute could request the Minister to set up >' coulit to consider regulations, which seem likolv to result in injustice, llio decisions of such a court to have the force ot regulations. ——-a***.**®*