DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1928, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. WELLINGTON, July 31. The first quarterly report of the Research Committee of the Council of Scientific Industrial Research, dealing with tlie problem of mineral content of pastures, has been issued. Healing with work in the North Island and bv Cawthron Institute the areas being investigated are some hundred thousand acres of hush and sick lands in Rotorua and surrounding districts, a million acres towards Taumaranui, also the greater part of the IVaitomo country. Evidence is accumulating, says the report, that the whole trouble with pumice soils is excessive drainage from the soils. The most rational method of improving the water retaining power of the soil would he to increase the humus by green manuring or ploughing in of green crops. JAP WARSHIPS’ VISIT. AUCKLAND, July 31. Tlie Japanese training ships Idzumo and Yakiimo entered port at 8 a.m. and exchanged salutes with Fort Cautley. The morning was occupied by official calls on tlie flagships, which wore Inter returned by the visiting officers who were entertained at luncheon by the Consul for Japan, A. B. Robertson. This 'afternoon the Admiral put'a wreath on the soldiers’ graves at TYaikumcte. A civic reception takes place this evening. SERIES OF THEFTS. BUCKLEY’S UNUSUAL REQUEST. AUCKLAND, July 30. Frank Bailer (26) and John Leslie Buckley (23) stood together again today in the Police Court dock on trial for olfcnccs committed after their sensational escape from Aft. Eden Gaol on May 25th last. They wore charged with the theft of clothing valued at £3 on May 26th, unlawfully converting a boat valued at £8 to their own use, and stealing a sail, blankets, cooking utensils, a primus lamp, and foodstuffs worth a total of £7. They were further charged with stealing food and a tent valued a £lO on May 27th.

Buckley alone was also charged with breaking and entering on Juno 28th the dwelling of Margaret Patterson, and stealing jewellery and a suitcase of a total value of £33 on June 30th. He was charged with breaking and entering the house of Professor Algie. Remuera road, and stealing 40 gramophone records, a string of pearls, a wristlet watch, and £1 3s in money, of a total value of £3O 15s. Further, he was charged with breaking and entering the house of Isabella TY'hitelnw and stealing seven frocks and nil electric iron of a total value of £33. Neither had anything to say, and both pleaded guilty on the indictable charges. They were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. On the summary charge of converting the dinghy to their own use each was convicted and discharged. To the two women who described the manner in which their houses had been entered by prisoner, Buckley offered bis apologies. “I’m sorry, lady, for all the trouble 1 caused,” he said. After Professor Algie had given evidence Buckley asked if an order could he made for the £1 13s found in his possession when he was recaptured to he handed to a servant girl employed at the professor’s house. “She seems to he the poorest of lhe people whose houses I. ransacked, and I understand it was her money 1 took.”

PRICE OF WOOL. AN AUTHORITY'S VIEW. AUCKLANH, July 30. “I see no reason whatever, after n survey of tlie world-wicio conditions which govern the consumption of wool, why the price should fall,” said Mr J. Herbert Mortimer, of Limefield Mills, Binglev, near Bradford, worsted spinner and manufacturer. Mr Mortimer is president of the Bingley Manufacurer.s' Federation, and arrived by the Aorangi this' morning on a visit to New Zealand.

“One must always have regard for the fact that since the wi\r the consumption of wool lias been greater than the production,” lie said, “and, as the people of the Far East take more and more by tbe use of English ciotiling, the demand for wool lop goods is bound to increase, and even if the world’s production was' considerably' increased it would take some years before tbe production ol wool overtook ensuin'jit ion, i mi.vequently, generally speaking, the prices' that have been obtained in the last three years will bo maintained. But, of course, the situation may be influenced by economic factors ruling in the various wool consuming countries. These may cause certain fluctuations, in prices from time to time, but what I have said before regarding tho relationship between production and consumption will generally prevail.”

MAN" FOUND HANGING. WESTPORT, .July 31. A tragedy was discovered here at S 1.30 p.iii. to-day. when a man named t Robert Wilson Simpson, a painter, was a found hanging at his home No. 37 Cob--11 den Street. The discovery was made by Ml' McCulloch. Simpson had not ° been seen since yesterday afternoon, 3 i between 4 and. 5 o’clock. He was a single man, living by himself. An inV I finest will bo held to-morrow at 9.30 e; I a.m. ®; AN .INFANT’S DEATH. . : i WESTPORT, July 31. 3 , While undergoing an operation for S ! the removal of an obstruction in the ’ throat at Denniston an infant *1 child, Donald Put wood, aged 1G months I expired while under the anaesthetic. 3 j The operation was being performed by lj Dm Simpson ami Campbell. An iii--1 j quest will be held to-morrow. SUPREME COURT. AUCKLAND, July 31. In the Supreme Court, the Grand Jury returned no bill in the ease of i Michael Maher, charged with the theft of a pearl necklace valued at £990. The Grand Jury also found no bill against John Henry Labrum, charged with theft of £lO 10s; and Hira Erai, charged with unlawful carnal knowledge.

TWO ACQUITTALS. WELLINGTON, July 31. At the Supreme Court Henry James Shepherd was charged with breaking and entering the dwelling of William Smith at Kaeo at night with intent to commit a crime, and also with being on the premises at night without lawful excuse. He was found “not guilty” on the first charge, and “guilty” on the second with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of accused’s physical condition. Counsel said accused suffered from shell-, shock arising from wounds in the head as well as from chest trouble. Robert Stuart Wylie, aged 30, an indent agent, was charged with forging a cheque for £5 15s at Paeroa. He was acquitted, the Judge saying the case was exceedingly weak, and the Jury returning' a verdict without retiring. ANOTHER SEXUAL CRIMINAL. CHRISTCHURCH, July 31. Ji youth' aged 17, pleaded guilty at

the S.M. Court to-day to three seriioijs offences against girls and one of common assault against a girl. On the first three charges the voutli was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. On the fourth charge he was convicted, the Magistrate deferring the penalty. PRICE OF SUGAR REDUCED AUCKLAND, July 31. The Colonial Sugar Refining Coy. announces that the prices of all grades of raw and refined sugars, with the exception of tablet and icing sugars, are reduced ten shillings a ton from- tomorrow. The prices of tablet and icing sugars will remain unaltered.