DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 16, 16 May 1912, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association.)

Auckland, May 15

A reporter who visited H.M.S. Pioneer astcrtained some interesting facts about the opportunities which exist on board the vessel for New Zealand lads that are not generally known either by the lads or by their parents. It was learned that there is an ex-

ceptional opportunity at the present time for New Zealand youths who wish to join the Royal Navy for short service, under conditions of employment and pay that are most favourable. New Zealanders arc ,it is understood, received on the Pioneer when vacancies occur, under special conditions identical to an existing agreement between the Government and the British Admiralty. This permits of their leaving at the end of live years, and includes a system of deferred payment under which a young man can leave at the age of 23 upwards with a lump sum of £250 to his credit in the Government Savings Bank if he has completed his five years’ service, or such sum as is duo if he leaves before under exceptional circumstances. It is understood that vacancies exist for ordinary seamen and stokers from ages varying from fifteen to twen-ty-two years, but every trade is represented on board a modern man-o’-vvar. The trouble at the Auckland Ha>pitnl came to an abrupt termination to-night when the matron handed in her resignation. Some members wishto continue the inquiry, but finally it was decided to drop it in the meantime and a sub-committee was appointed to fill the vacancy temporarily and discuss whether it was worth while continuing the inquiry.

Wanganui, May 15. The Wanganui Education Board tonight received a letter from the New Zealand Teachers’ Institute in regard to the' costs awarded in the present Stagpoole appeal case. Exception was taken to certain items in the award by the Court. The Institute objected to paying fees to members of the Court, to the chairman of the Board, and to the clerk of the Court, and offered, if the Board would abandon these amounts, to pay the balance of the costs. The Board decided not to interfere with the award of the Court, and instructed its solicitors to proceed to recover. Wellington, May 15. When about a week out from London on her voyage which ended at Wolligton to-day, two steerage passengers on the Arawa, a married woman and a young man, developed acute mania and had to lie placed under restraint. The man was very violent, and had to be, constantly watched lest he should 4o himself an injury. On the arrival of the vessel in port the health officer refused to allow the two unfortunate people to he landed, and ordered them to he sent back to England. They will be placed on board the Corinthic, which will leave for London to-morrow. Christchurch, May 15.

The inquest into ’the death of Helen Goscomh developed sensationally today, the woman’s (husband being charged with manslaughter. The evidence, showed that Goscomh and his wife wore continually drinking and quarrelling. On Sunday Goscomh hit his wife a severe blow on the chin. The woman’s body was subsequently found in an outhouse. The coroner’s verdict was that slho died from heart failure, induced by a blow inflicted by Frank Goscomh. The latter was then formally charged with manslaughter and remanded. In the course of the hearing of the Goscomh case it came out that Goscomb and his wife had been drinking methylated spirits. Inquiries show that there has been a marked increase in the consumption of this spirit lately. Chemists say that they have a constant demand for it. In many cases when they suspect it is to he drunk they refuse to supply it. One instance was quoted in which a man bought three bottles regularly on Saturday night, until the chemist was informed that he a dipsomaniac. The police say that methylated spirit is a particularly maddening form of alcohol, and urge that the sale should be restricted as a poison. Dunedin, May 15. Major-General Godley had the misfortune to meet with a slight accident while inspecting the 12th Otago .Mounted Rifles at Balclutlla to-day, his horse falling and rolling on his foot. The General sustained a strained ankle. He came on to Dunedin by the evening express, and as he is confined to his room his departure will be delayed for a day or so. The question of the means to ho adopted by the police in the dectcction of sly-grog-selling was referred to in the Supreme Court to-day. fu summing up in a case of alleged illicit traffic in liquor Mr Justice Williams said that it was perfectly well recognised that strategy had to ho used in order to catch people at this business. It was perfectly legitimate that strategy should he used, because the offenders could not be caught without it; nor could it bo expected that persons who acted as informers must necessarily lie very desirable individuals. In the present case the person to whom liquor was alleged to 'have been sold had been acuated in the matter not by greed for money, but because lu had a spite against the accused. '1 bal was an element which must he taken into consideration in deciding how iai his evidence was credible.