DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) OLD VIOLONCELLO. AN AUCKLAND DISCOVERY. AUCKLAND, December 15. A rare and valuable violoncello, considered by experts to be a genuine Strad, lias been in the hands of the Hayward family, well-known cinema entrepreneurs, for over a lYs'ictred years, having been used by the late Lt-Jjenry Hayward, seniofi, who was Court violinist to George IV. Its value i,s between two and four thousand pounds. The instrument lay forgotten under a bed in a house at Wolverhampton, England, for many years before it came into the possession of the Hay yard family. Under the will of the late Airs Hayward it was bequeathed to George Alarinengo, of Auckland.

TRAPPER FINED. BREACH OF GAME ACT. WELLINGTON, December 16. Atlmr Burton was fined £5 and costs by Air E. Page, SAL, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of having contravened the Animal’s Protection and Game Act by using traps tlifit were not placed on the ground. A State Forest officer (Mr R. N. Uren), who prosecuted, said that the defendant held a trapper’s license and a permit for Narrow Neck, Whiteman’s Valley. On an inspection being made it was found that the traps were set from 18 inches to 2 feet from the ground, contrary to the regulations, the object of which was to prevent unnecessary cruelty. Sixty-eight opossum skins were seized, and upon a conviction being entered they would he forfeited to tlm Crown. After Burton had been caught lie bnd complied with the regulation for the remainder of the season. Air R. Watson, appearing for Burton, said that the latter had no criminal intention in setting the traps the way he did. The Alagistrate ordered that half the skins seized be returned to Burton. AUCKLAND CITY ‘ENGINEER, AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. In an editorial to-night’s “Star” repeats the suggestion made last week that in the selection of city engineer tlie council should call in expert advice, as the discussion at the last Meeting did not strengthen public confidence in the council’s ability to make the best selection from the seventy-five applicants. The council will gain and not suffer in public confidence if it admits that at present it really is not in a position to choose the best man.

SANDERS CUP. WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. The third and fourth Sanders Cup trials, like the previous two, were decisively won by Clyde on Sunday. There is no reason to doubt that Clyde will be the representative boat. COLLEGE APPOINTMENT. WELLINGTON, Dee. 18. Air H. H. Cornish was appointed to the chair of English and New Zealand law at Victoria University College by the College Council last night. The Chief Justice (Hon. AT. Myers) has endowed a prize which will be open to law students at'Victoria College. It is to he awarded to the student who in the opinion of the professor shows tlie greatest proficiency in professional subjects. The prize will be available next year. THE LAST SHOTS. WELLINGTON, December 18. The last shots in the Hutt bye-elect-ion were fired last night, all tlie candiates holding meetings assisted by prominent party supporters.