DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

LINESMAN ELECTROCUTED. GISBORNE, Aug. 22.

While working at Waiinata this afternoon on the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board’s extension to that district, Roy Bartlett, 27 years of age, married, with two children under six years, was up a pole when lie fell across a line with a voltage of 6000, and was instantly electrocuted.

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, August 23

Among the subjects discussed at the .schools 'conference was a memorandum from the Minister of Education referring to the relative decay of evening classes, especially in domestic work, whoieas in ten years the attendance had increased over 100 per cent. Members' in evening classes showed no appreciable increase at all. The opinion was advanced that the reason was more children wore attending day classes and did not need to attend evening lessons; also that evening classes should take more advance. courses.

It was decided to ask the A! mister to furnish further information as to where the decoy had occurred. The Alinister also suggested the conference might consider a revision of fees for evening and part time classes, in the direction of increasing, them. The Conference took an opposite view and passed a resolution in favour of the abolition of fees. HOUSE BURNT. DARGAVII.LE. August 23. A fire at 8.30 last evening practically destroyed a six-roomed bouse on Awnkino road, owned by J. Pershing, and occupied by H. Potter. The fire had a good bold when the alarm was given. The bouse, a fairly old one, burnt fiercely. Potter was in bed at the time of the outbreak and three of his children were in the house. _

With the assistance of a neighbour, all were successfully rescued'. Very few effects were saved. The house was insured, but the amount is not available. There is no insurance on the furniture. The occupants loss is fairly substantial. IN EXPLANATION. PALAIERSTOX N., Aug. 23. In connection with the reported statement at the meeting of the Alanawatu A. and I’. Association General Committee, that there was foot and mouth disease in the stock on Somes Island, Air Mitchell, who was credited with the statement, was incorrectly reported. After stressing the need to take every precaution to prevent the introduction of the disease, ATr Mitchell pointed out that stock was being imported. and it was in reply to the Chairman of the Association, that be said that several bead of stock were on Somes Island. It was not said or inferred by Air Atitchell that these were suffering from foot and mouth disease.

ATTACKED BY A BULLOCK. WELLINGTON,. August 23

James Hill, aged 27, single, a resident of Ngabauranga, was attacked by a. bullock early this morning. The cattle were being driven up a gorge when one broke away, rushed at Hill and knocked him down, inflicting severe lacerations on the nose and lorebead. Hill is a draughtsman in the Public AVorks Department.

A SUICIDE. WHANGAREI, August 23

Victor Clarence Clarke, 35, a farmer of Pnkotai, married, with four young children,’ committed suicide yesterday afternoon by shooting, the left side of bis head being blown away. The horse lie bad been riding also was shot dead. Deceased’s wife, who was out riding, met her husband, who commanded her to dismount. He then took her place and galloped away, calling out, “ Ibis is the last time you will see me alive.” Shortly afterwards two gunshots were beard. Investigations resulted in the tragedy as described. At the inquest to-day a verdict was returned that dentil was caused bv a gunshot wound, self-inflicted during a state of mental abberration.

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, August 23

The Technical School Conference held a discussion on the re-organisation of the post-primary education system, in the course of which the Syllabus Revision Committee’s work came in lor some uncomplimentary criticism. The following resolutions were earned (I - , “'Wherever possible pupils slLild be transferred to a post-primary school two years earlier than at present (as advocated in the Haddow report and by the New Zealand Syllabus Bevision Committee.) (0) “There should he more than one type of post-primary school (as advocated in the Haddow report, but not by the New Zealand Syllabus Revision Committee) in those centres where the number of pupils warrant their establishment.” . (3) “Proposed introduction of secondary subjects into primary schools svballus should not he allowed to work in the direction of a general revisal of Standard VII in centres served by post-primary schools, thus n mg'n.b about the establishment of tops to primary schools.’” * KILLED BY TRACTOR. WHAKATANE,' August 23. A tractor driver, Ernest Frost, was killed at Matata yesterday, through, tractor striking swampy land with the front wheels and turned over, pinnni Frost to the ground. It was -me time before the victim could he ex tracted from beneath the tiacto . was found to he dead, apparently suffocated in the swamp. Deceased is believed to be a single man. COAL MINERS. GREYMOUTH, Aug. 23. Thirty to forty miners, members of tlie State Miners’ Union, employed at Briaiulale Colliery, refused to work following a dispute over the dismissal of who the management regarded as inefficient.A conference held at Paparoa, between representatives of the tribute partv now working and representatives of the Alliance of Labour resulted m the Triliutors being no longer declared black but put on the same footing as other Coast co-operative parties. A conference is to be hold between representatives of all co-operatives, with the Alliance of Labour, to, arrange a com prehen s i ve- a groement.

INQUEST VERDICT. TIMARU, Aug. 23.

At the inquest on Thomas Bra'l lex David, killed by the O’amaru-Timaru train on Wednesday evening, a verdict was returned that deceas'd his death by being run over by a train, no blame being attachable to the train crew.

TECHNICAL EDUCATION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 23.

The Technical Education Association Conference was continued to-day. Among the remits passed were resolutions urging the Minister to provide better facilities for advanced technological instructions, affirming the desirability of maintaining good continuation classes in tho evening schools;

that the Department of Scientific Research consider the establishment of a technological museum, affirming the desirability of teaching diietceties and home science in past primary schools, as well as practical cookery. A DEPUTATION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. A deputation representing the Middle v.a’y League, waited on Air Coates today urging that Legislative provision should be made to encourage the sale of light wines, light beer and light eider, as against spirits, and strong alcoholic liquors, which it was urged, should be treated as drugs. The League I-(reposed there .should be a .second ballot paper to deal with the issue. Air Coates replying, said the Government was opposed to taking a referendum on every conceivable question, and thought Parliament was the best place to deal with such questions. A difficult situation existed on the question of issues on the ballot paper, but he was optimistic enough to hope something would he got through this year, that would cleai- up that side of the situation. He would consider carefully \vhat the deputation had submitted, but could not promise legislation this year on the lines asked for. LABOUR CANDIDATE. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 23. Rev. Clyde Carr, a member of tbo Christchurch City Council, lias been selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Timaru seat. THE C.O.D. iSVSTEAr. WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. A deputation representing the Traders of the Dominion waited on Hon J. G. Coates to-day in regard to the Cash oil Delivery system and asking it be withdrawn. Air Campbell, ALP., for Hawke’s Bay, supporting the speakers, said the system was originally adopted in the interests oF Empire trade and unity, but it was found it was acting contrary to the interests of traders in this country.

Mr Coates, replying, .said tile only real point j M the issue was whether the Government should act as agent for firms which were operating tlio Cash on Delivery system. The figures, he had been able to obtain went to show- that, the system was coming more generally into use. He would be glad to bring the matter before Cabinet and would take the earliest opportunity of acquainting the deputation of the Government’s views. Tbo Premier also said lie. would bring the cash order system as operating in Australia before the notice of the Department of Industries and Commerce. HARBOUR BOARD DUES. WELLINGTON, August 23. A dispute is going on between the Harbour Board and the Governtnent as to the latter’s refusal to pay port charges and dues on the Ataui Pomaro. The Alinister claims it is exempt like other Government vessels. AVellington Board contends that if the Government finds it necessary to assist the Cook Islands, the losses incurred should be a charge on the Consolidated Fund and not all (in Harbour Boards. Other Government vessels arc not engaged in trade and do not require facilities for handling cargo. Other trading concerns of the Government paid ordinary charges and no exception should he made in this case.

The Minister in reply said the Government had stepped in where private enterprise had failed and their venture was likely to run at a financial loss for some time to come. He Was, however, prepared to pay harbour, dues as far as service with Niue and Samoa was concerned, provided the Board refunded any payments by way ol port charges, berthage and harbour master’s fees.

In a discussion on this reply members stood firm and characterised the claim as extraordinary, unjustified, unfair and introducing the thin end of a wedge. Resolutions were passed refusing to agree with the principles set out m the Minister’s letter and drawing up a remit lor the next Harbour Boards Conference to the effect that Government vessels carrying freight-earning cargoes should pay the same harbour dues as ordinary trading vessels.