DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 86, 10 April 1912, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association.)

Auckland, April '.). Pour "detachments of police raided certain premises in Vulcan !aii";. Coombes' Arcade and the British Buildings, this afternoon, and detained all the persons therein on charges of being found in common gaming houses. It is well known that tin introduction of gaming legislation ■made the bookmaker's, business illegal, but a number of men ivho were formerly licensed still carry en a flourishing business. Tne raids Avert the result of months of observation. and proved a great success, no warning of the intentions of the police being given. Tne police considered that they held sufficient evidence t< warrant the raids, and the result wai that nearly eighty persons were arrested. The arrested parsons were conveyed to the police station and there brought before justices of the peace. The principals were relecs ed in bonds of £2OO each, and those found on the promises in bonds ■(.'< £lO each. The persons concerned will appeal' in court to-morrow. The proceedings have created a sensation in the city. Wellington, April 9. At to-night's meeting of the Wellington Presbytery appreciative reference was made by several of the chap lains to the conduct of the territorial camps. The- Rev. W. Shircr, chap lain major, reported that in the discharge of his duties lie had conducted service in the Trcntham camp on Sunday. It was a pleasure to notice that under the now regulations the different churches had opportunity to provide for the spiritual needs of their people, and this had been done. He considered that the conduct of the men, both at church parade and during the day Avas worthy of praise, and every co-operation was given by the officers to the chaplains in the diecharge of their duty. The temperance party should be well satisfied with the success'OfS the''efforts' made by the authorities to keep drink out of tho camps. The Rev. J. McCaw, of Lower Hutt, who also visited tire camp, spoke in appreciation of the ready assistance given to chaplains by the camp officers.

The Socialist;■ conference concluded to-day. t% was decided to appoint a paid national organising secretary for t'-o Dominion and to procure the services of prominent socialist lecturers to tour the country on propaganda vork. Mr I E. J>. Howard, of Christcl.urch, wae elected president, and tlie secretarial work left in the hands of Mr F. R. Cooke, also of Christchurcli, till the appointment of a paid organising secretary is confirmed. The conference expressed its attitude towards the Professor Mills unity scheme in ' the terms of the following resolution :—"That while earnestly and urgently desiring the unity of the workers,, of. New Zealand, ence is of.opinion that such unity can only be effected if based upon the revolutionary Marxian conception of the class struggle, with the socialist objective clearly avowed and the the socialist movement adopted." Christchurcli, April 9.

The Hon. ,T. A. Hanan, Minister of Justice, passed through Christchurcb to-night. In an interview he said that he was going into the matter of the appointment of a Commissioner of Police and Under-Secretary of Justice with a view to making a recommendation to the Cabinet. The matter would not be decided yet. He added that ho was not in favour of going outside the 'Dominion to get a commissioner of police. He" said that lie might possibly call • a conference of gaolers in "Wellington, to discuss with them mutters of detail in connection with prison management. He was also going into matters connected with the administration of the police force, and afterwards intended going into matters connected with the education system, with a view of improving it.

At the Oddfellows' conference today the following officers were elected—W.G.M., Bro. John Clark (Auckland), Grand Master; P.P.G.M., Bro. John Smith (Wellington) Deputy Grand Master; Bro. J. Kershaw, corresponding secretary and Parliamentary agent: P.P.G.M., Bro. G. E. Gqdber, treasurer; P.G. Bro. Guise, auditor. The following were elected directors: P.P.G.M.'s. - Bros. W. Thomas (Auckland), F. W. Watt (Ashburton), ,7, Salek (Wanganui), W. I'. Loasby (Wellington), F. A. Moore (Eltham), and J. A. Clarke (Christchurch). Dunedin, April 9. At the inquest on the body of William Xesbit, who was killed last night as the result of being run over by a tram, the evidence showed that the injuries were very severe, including several fractures and a bad wound on the side of the abdomen. Death must have been instantaneous. The coroner returned a verdict that death Avas due to deceased having been run over by a tram while under the influence of liquor, no blame being attachable to anyone. To Kuiti, April 10. Early on Sunday morning John Parrel, a settler from fjie llangitoto block, was discovered dead in Solomon's yard, Otorohanga. An inquest was opened on Monday and adjourned for a week. The evidence showed that deceased got liquor on the train on Saturday. Deceased and others had taken liquor to Solomon's and consumed a considerable quantity. Witnesses' recollection of further events was hazy.