DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1928, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.

HOSPITAL QUESTION. .HAMILTON, May 30. . Declaring that it was a Government policy to provide maternity service in rural districts, Mr Young (Minister of Health) to-day infonned deputations > A ' from the Thames district that the - > Government would build a maternity hospital at Paeroa. It would bo built, however, at the expense of the Thames Hospital Board, unless the Board would do the work itself.

The Minister said he hoped the Board would co-operate in a friendly spirit. Paeroa representatives urged tho erection of such a hospital at Paeroa, whereto, they said, local residents contributed cash and property of a value of 13000.

The Hauraki Plains County Council opposed tlio plan on account of the heavy rating on the settlers. The Thames Hospital Board, which formerly favoured the Paeroa scheme, lately has been divided on the subject. Tho rival interests placed their arguments before the Minister to-day and heard his decision.

T.B. INQUIRY

INVERCARGILL, May 30

With reference to the committee appointed by the Minister of Health to investigate and report on certain aspects connected with the treatment” of tuberculosis in the Dominion, the Waipiata Santorium Committee, at its monthly meeting ' unanimously adopted the following resolution, which the Secretary was directed to forward to the Minister—“ That while not in anyway reflecting on the professional abilities of the men appointed to the Tuberculosis Commission, this Committee deplores the fact that medical men of proved tuberculosis and sanatorium experience have not been included, and iurther, is of the opinion that the Commission should be allowed a free hand in its deliberations, without the attendance at its enquiries of the Director General of Health.”

BULLET HITS MOTOR. CHRISTCHURCH, May 33

While C. Hayward, Christchurch, was driving a motor car on the -Alain North Road near Domett, this morning, the glass side-screen of the car was completely shattered by a bullet. It was some time afterwards that Hayward discovered the cause of tho smash, when he discovered a .22 bullet in his pocket. His coat was not penetrated, hut the bullet, a spent one, had struck him lightly, and had fallen into his open pocket. „

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE.

AGAINST WIFE OF CLERGYMAN

NEW PLYMOUTH, May SO.

Charged with the manslaughter of a child by striking her unlawfully. Arapcra Kaiora Hadfield, aged about 37 years, ’ the wife of the Rev. Kalii Hadfield, of Waitara, was to-day committed lor trial to the Supreme Court. She pleaded not guilty. The accused, who is a full-blooded Maori, was allowed bail in a personal surety of £l5O. and another of a similar amount.

The dead child was Piiihira Tomuri, aged 10 V years, who was adopted by the Iladttelds.

On the morning of Sunday, May 20, the child was punished by Mrs Hadfield -for misdemeanour. Tho child appeared to be all right about lunch time, but at 7.40 p.m. the. doctor was called in. On liis arrival, the girl was dead. An inquest was held in conjunction with the trial in tlic Lower Court, and at the conclusion, the Coroner (Mr R. W. Tail, S.M.) announced, that the verdict was: That the cause' of death was shock, in consequence of the thrashing administered Arapera Hadfield. The medical evidence was that the body and limlis of the child were coverede practically all over with bruises, and that, in many places, the skin was broken, and had hied. The child’s death was due to syncope, following

on shock. In a statement to the police, tlie accused said that the child had sworn at her. She had intended the punisli.ment she gave to be severe, but not so severe as it proved. She had used a broken tennis racquet to administer the punishment, holding on to the loose strings and striking the child with the handle.

MOTOR. CYCLE FATALITY. AUCKLAND, AI ay 30. An inquest was held to-day regarding the death of Esther Yetta Phillips, who was killed on the night of April 29, by being struck by a motor cycle, driven hv William Edward Paynter, ill Adelaide Road. Tlie evidence showed that deceased was one of a party that left the footpath and was walking on the road liecause there was clay ahead. The City Council Traffic Inspector, who examined the machine after the accident, stated that a test of tin? brakes showed that they were not in proper working order. Defendant, aged 18, said the machine was not his, hut he was told by the owner that it was all right. The Magistrate said a pedestrian’s proper place was on the footpath. Evidence showed that the speed of the machine was not unreasonable. From the evidence given regarding the brakes, however, it was doubtful if the machine could have been stopped in time. The only verdict- was au open on®, as there appeared to have been some neglect oil the part of deceased. He added that the pedestrians did not have flic least opportunity to avoid the accident as that opportunity was with the person approaching. BLACKMAIL CHARGE. HAMILTON, May 30.

An unusual case of alleged attempted blackmail was heard at the Magistrte’s Court: to-dav. Cuthhert Sidney AA'hyman. lorry driver, wan charged with attempting to extort money from a former employer, Henry Langguth, of Rotorua, by a threatening letter accusing Langguth of arranging with AA’hyman for the burning of a truck. AYliymaii, in -a statement of the police,, had repented the accusation against Langguth, alleging that the letter promised him £SO for burning a truck which Langguth said was well insured.

Langguth. in evidence, gave a complete denial, lie said he had not known the amount of the insurance, as the poliev was held by a AAellington firm under a hire-purchase agreement.

The prosecution called witnesses who testified that AA’hyman had indicated that the fire was accidental. AVhvman, who was committed for trial, is a middle-aged, married man. Bail was allowed.