DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1930, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

A SUICIDE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, December 3.

Heartbroken by the death of her daughter, two years ago, Airs Ivy Winifred Sheppard committced suicide at her home vexterdav afternoon.

It was stated at the inquest that the woman had been depressed since her daughter’s death and used to visit the cemetery twice weekly, spending hours beside the grave. A verdict was returned that death was due to gas poisoning while depressed .

WANTON ACTS

SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE,

WELLINGTON, Dec. 3

Fanners in the vicinity of Pn,raparnumu for sonic time have been differing from the attention!- of a vandal. One farmer, W. Afowhray, had several cans of creams taken from the dairy and emptied into an adjoining at ream, while another, P. Beere, had a large garden of tomatoes and strawberries practically ruined. These acts have been going on spasmodically for about two year's. Other wanton acts, of which farmers have lieen the victims include the cutting of .sheep’s throats (in one instance a prize ram was killed), the setting alight of haystacks, cutting the fences and in one case several sticks of gelignite were found under a house.

A BURGLARY

AT HON. RANDOM’S HOUSE

DANXEVIRKE. Dec. 3

Darin" the absence, of the Act in" Prime Afinister (Hon. E. A. Ransom) at his farm at Akatio, burglars paid a visit to lrj- residence in Queen Street, Dnnnevirke, and ransacked the place. Air Ransom is still at Akatio. When his daughter visited the place on Tuesday afternoon, she found the house had been ransacked, the drawers and cupboards opened in almost every room and the contents disturbed. It i,s known that a little jewellery and two gold presentation keys, and cigarettes are missing.. The burglars made an unsuccessful attack on the safe in the study, entrance being gained |bv breaking a leadlight panel in a side door.

A RETIREMENT

DR VALENTINE

WELLINGTON. Dec. 3

Bidding farewell to Dr Valentine on bis retirement from the Director General of Health, the members of the New Zealand Hospital Boards Association to-day eulogised his work "in connection with the establishment of the hospital system of the Dominion, and on behalf of the ihgiblk'l’h of the Hospital Boards, Air Wallace, Chairman of the Association, made a presentation to Dr Valentine in recognition of his long and valuable service to the Dominion.

DEFENCE DISMISSALS

R.S.A. RESOLUTION,

WELLINGTON, Dec. 3

The Executive of the R.S.A. to-day resolutioned that this Dominion executive has rend with dismay statoments in the press indicating the intention, on the part of the Government, to dispense with the services oi a large number of the members of the New Zealand permanent forces officers and other ranks, most of them men who actively served in the Great War. and .some of them men who gave no their civil avocations to take positions in the New Zealand permanent forces after their return from the war, and emphatically protests against the dismissal of any men who ser.-ed their country in war. The resolution has been communicated to the Minister of Defence (Hon. Cobhei with the request that it receive his nerst earnest support.

COUPON SYSTEM

WELLINGTON, December 3

A request, that the Government prohibit the coupon system being applied to primary products, was made to Hon P A. de la Perrelle by a deputation from the National Dairy Association to-day. It was contended that the application of the system to butler was costing the farmers a half-penny a pound on their products and that this cost was aggravating the already seiious plight of the farmers. The Minister agreed something would | UI V( . to lie done to counteract the councils, and he intended to place the whole matter before Cabinet.