DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1928, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.

PUBLIC TRUST CLERK’S THEFT

AUCKLAND, June 21

A. Public Trust clerk, aged 23 years who appeared at the Police Court today for sentence on a charge of stealing £55, was placed on probation for two years, his name being suppressed. Magistrate F. K. Hunt said that the probation officer has recommended strict probation. “I will give this young man a fresh start,” said the Magistrate. “He must make restitution of the stolon money and keep away from billiard saloons.”

NELIGENT MOTORING CHARGE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 21. When Trevor Walter Moss, a .foung motor cyclist, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court- to-day with negligently riding a motor cycle along Woodham Road, L'imvcod, on the night of April 18th. causing the death of Margaret O’Cojinor, it was stated that Moss, with Miss O’Connor as a pillion paseiugcr, i-odo into an obstruction formed by an unfilled trench, with spoil alongside, which had been dug in the course of sewerage operations, the motor cycle and the two passengers Icing thrown twenty feet. The man was dazed and injured, hut the girl was fatally hurt. The evidence for the prosecution was that the motor cycle had a weak light and was travelling at 35 miles *to 40 miles an hour. Counsel for the defence, in cross-examina-tion, sought to show the obstruction was not sufficiently lighted, and suggested Moss’s speed was not excessive. Accused reserved his defence, being committed for trial, bail being allowed of £SO with a surety of £SO.

SEAMAN’S SUICIDE. AUCKLAND, Juno 21. “I will be in Hell; but forgive me my faults.” This cryptic message written in pencil on a crumpled piece of paper, were the final words of Norman McLeod, a seaman, aged 40 years, who died at the Auckland Hospital last Sunday, following on the taking of poison.

This message was to deceased’s wife in Scotland. A message was also left for the deceased’s 1 parents. These facts were revealed at the inquest this afternoon, when a verdict of suicide was returned by the Coroner.

N.Z. UNKNOWN SOLDIER. BLENHEIM, June 21. In reference to a Hastings telegram to-day advancing the theory that the modal found at Flers, near the body of an unknown soldier, was owned by a Blenheim member of the Kvpeditionary Force, an “Express” reporter has made investigations, which have revealed that Mitford Taylor, the man mentioned in the Hastings telegram, is still alive, and is farming at Ward. He has no knowledge of the medal. There is no record of a Neville family presenting a medal to the Blenheim Swimming Club.

MAN CRUSHED TO DEATH. AUCKLAND. June 21. A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest on Edward Reid, aged 40. who was killed instantly when a steel frame weighing two tons, which was being lifted with a sling from trucks at Newmarket Railway. Workshops on May 11, crushed him lo the ground. The crane driver gave evidence that his instructions were safety first, and before lie hoisted the frame, ho saw that the ring was properly on the hook. He thought that when the load was swung it must have hit something, so causing the ring to come off the hook. The manager of the workshops stated ho held a similar view.

GENERAL ELECTION. WELLINGTON, June 21

There has been a rumour that Hon. Mr Hawken may transfer from the Egmont seat to contest the Patea seat at the general election. This is emphatically denied by the Minister. He says that he has never thought for a moment of contesting any other constituency but that which lie represents at present, and he is at a loss to understand how the statement originated.

BLACKMAIL CASE. HAMILTON, June 20. Mr Justice Blair to-day imposed a sentence of three‘months’ hard labour on Outhbert Sydney Whyman, found guilty of attempting to extort money by means of a le'tter containing a threat from Henry Langgulli, carrier, at Rotorua. His Honour, ‘ addressing prisoner, said that according to police reports Whyman was an excellent mechanic, but a had husband, having left his wife and three children to get a living as best they could. Whyman had demanded £2O from Langguth threatening to accuse him of ordering. the destruction of a. valuable motor-lorry for the sake of the insurance.

FELL FROM WHARF. AUCKLAND, June 20.

Through falling- from the ferry wharf at Auckland into the water while attempting to hoard a ferry boat shortly before five o’clock last evening, Claude Jewell, a very wellknown New' Zealand journalist, aged fifty-six, of Vermont Road, Birkdale, suffered severe shock. He was immersed for only a short period, but was unconscious when brought to‘ the wharf. He was taken to the Auckland Hospital. His condition lias improved, and is now satisfactory.

A PROTEST. WELLINGTON, June 20. A heated discussion occurred to-day at the Education Board meeting on the Education Department’s proposal to seek regulations by Order-in-Coun-eil virtualy. taking from the board the power to appoint applicants to vacancies on the training college staff or practising schools and vesting it in the

Minister of Education. Tke board regards the proposals as an endeavour to frustrate the board’s efforts to appoint Mr S. K. Lomas, - acting-principal of the Training College, to the position of principal of the College. The Department desires to make regulations retrospective to the calling of applications for the position of principal of the Wellington Training College. A resolution protesting against the procedure was carried, with only one dissentient.

EDUCATION DEADLOCK. WELLINGTON, June 21. ■ Tho Director of Education (Mr P. B. Strong) to-day issued a statement in reply to the attack made- on the Education Department by the members of the Wellington Education Board at yesterday’s meeting over tho disagreement concerning the appointment of a Principal to Wellington Training College. Defending the attitude of his Department, Mr Strong emphasise;! that the proposed new regulations covering appointments did not limit the power of the Board any more than did the old regulations, which however, failed ,to prescribe tho course of to be followed when a deadlock was reached. The present regulation was shown to bo imperfect inasmuch as it did not prescribe any course of action when the two partie" to the appointment disagreed, and neither would give way. The pro posed amended regulations were macU on the advico of the .Solicitor-Gen-eral, that the present ones were imperfect for tho reason above stated, and in order to give full and definite effect to the intention of the original regulations, namely, that the Minister shall decide who shall he appointed to Training College staffs. Ever since Training Colleges were establish ed this had been the rule. It must bo clearly understood that the new regulation did not take away anj power tho Board has had but was in tended to prevent an important appointment being held up indefinitely. The Department’s only motive was tr secure the strongest possihle Rrincipa 1 for the Training College.