LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 29 April 1907, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

(In page four: Sperling. Correspiindenee, Country News, and general news. On Saturday night the Aiarangi Hockey Club held (heir annual nieetiii", when the following officers were clcelt'tl: —Captain, Miss Vera Simpson; vicecaptain, Miss Dorothy Simpson; secretary, .Miss Vila Quilliam.

Mr. Mussey (Lender of the Opp„silien), who speaks in the Theatre Royal to-night, had originally intended prii'eipally to deal with the Land Bill. In view, however, of the altered cireumslau ces and the forthcoming bye-election, he will deal now, in response to requests, with matters of general political mo-

The. meet ing of parishioners of St. Alan's .-ailed for to-night will be <if a formal nature only. No business oilier the cimlirmiit-ioii of the minutes will be fi'ken, and it is then intended to adj.'.urii till .Monday week, May «, when the passing of the accounts, election of churchwardens and vestry, and other business will be proceeded with. At the ordinary monthly mcetine; of Ihe Frankley Road Board'on Satmdav, Mr. Okey presiding', it was decided io hold the annual meeting of ratepayers on 4th May instead of on the Oth. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Jameson, a very useful member, who has decided to retire. The returning officer (Mr, M. Fleetwood) mentioned that there would be no need for a pull, as only live gentle men had been nominated as members, and he had declared them elected. 'l'hev are: Messrs. I>. Okov, ('. Billing, F. Newell, E. T. Allen, and J. Hooker.

There should lie some interesting discussion on finance at next Monday'?' County Council meeting. Last year, it would be remembered, the Council granted subsidies to various suburban road boards, acting almost under compulsion, for Mr. 11. Okey, leading a deputation, threatened a wholesale withdrawal from the county and the formation of a suburban borough unless the money were forthcoming. The "suburban" borough has been discussed a good deal since then, and it is asserted that such a thing is not possible. The County Council seems to have made up its mind not to grant any more subsidies of this kind, but the applications will be made nevertheless. The Frankley Bond Board is in the field, having on Saturday reipiosled Mr. okey to once more interview' the Council on the matter.

At the annual meeting of the Tarann.ki District Law Society on Friday evening the following offices were elected: --President, Mr. W. Kerr; vice-presi-dent, Mr. 11. Caplen; council, Messrs. .1. 11. Boy. D. llutehen, 'J'. C. Fookes, and .1. 11. (Juiliiam; treasurer, Mr. A. 11. Johnston": auditor, Mr. A. R. Standisli. A resolution was passed urging upon the Chivcinment the desirability of repealing th» Laiv Practitioners' Amending Act, 'Wis. which enables solicitors after live yens' practice to be admitted to practice a.s barristers. Votes of. thanks were passed to the lion. O. Samuel for his past, se-vices as president, and to Mr. (,'i!!lli::i:i, the late treasurer. It was de-eid-d (■> ask the Court buildings be extended to include a Judge's room and a robing ;linn for solicitors. A request will be mad.' for the erection of suitable D'.'ds Registry and Land Transfer Offices.

His Honor Mr Justice Cooper has (riven judgment (in the case Sliiel v.j I Ifook, which, was argued before him on April Slh at New Plymouth. The appellant, Sliiel, had applied 'to the Stipendiary Magistrate at New Plymouth to cancel an order made by Thomas Hutchison, Iwq., Stipendiary Magistrate, adjudging him to be the putative father cl' the unborn illegitimate child of the respondent, but the Stipendiary Magistrate declined to do this, holding he could not grant a re-hearing of the case, because only Mr Hutchison coidd do that, and Section 32 of "The Destitutes Person's Act, 1804,"' did not give him power to cancel an order of this nature. -Against this decision the appellant appealed. His Honor agreed with the M:i;-islrat ? on the first point and his judgment stated that he considered 'the la'lev .oi.-Mim, of some difficulty, and lifer referring to the careful and luminous manner in which the Magistrate ha.i dealt with the case, expressed the opinion that he had construed the Statute somewhat too strictly and laid down the limits within which the particular s-'ction must be confined. As the point, hi» not been raised before in the colony the judgment will he of no use to 'the legal profession. The appeal was allowed with £5 5s costs. Mr Claude H. Weston (Weston and Weston) appeared for the appellant and Mr Kerr (Riamlish and Kerr) for the respondent.