DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

UNPOPULAR TIMBER REGULATIONS By Telegraph.—Press Association. •Hokitika, May 14. At a meeting of the Westland County Council last evening strong comment was passed on the effect of the timber regulations as affecting the sawmilling industry throughout Westland. It was plainly stated that the industry stood in grave danger if the timber lands were handed over as proposed to the Forestry Department. It wae resolved that the Minister of Lands be Invited to visit the district as early as possible to confer with the council regarding the restrictive nature of the regulations as affecting the milling settlement.

MAORI 'MOTORIST IN TROUBLE. Palmerston N., May 14. In the Supreme Court Joseph Williams, a Maori, was sentenced to Id months' imprisonment for manslaughter caused by his running over a cyclist at Levin while driving a motor-car. A WOMAN'S DEATH. Invercargill, May 14. An inquest was held on Jean Greig, a married woman who was treated during 'llness by A. R. Nicol, chiropractor for kidney trouble. Dr. Stewart was called in a few days before her death and found the patient suffering from consumption. Dr. Wilson wlio made a post-mortem said deceased bad probably been suffering for years. He did not flunk any treatment vould have helped her.

Nicol deposed that he did not know deceased wan consumptive till the day she died. He bad studied for two years at an American school of chiropractic and held a diploma. The jury found Nicol in no way to blame, but thought it unfortunate he did not know the advanced state of tuberculosis of deceased.

REPATRIATING WAR PRISONERS. Wellington, May 14. The German and Austrian prisoners of wnr from Auckland and Feathcrston (410 in all) arrived at 2 p.m. to-day. They were quietly placed on board the Wiliochra, which" will sail early this evening. There was no demonstration.

WHEN IS "EVENING"? Christchurch, Last Night. An important question, which affects many employers and employees, in' New Zealand, and also the interpretation clauses in many legal documents, came before Mr Justice Herdman in Banci this morning. An appeal was made by the Labor Department against the Xscisicn of Mr V. G. Day, Stipendiary Magistrate, at Timani, in interpreting the meaning of the word "evening" in section 25 of the Shop and Offices Act. In a case in Wellington the Chief Justice ruled that "evening" means "after the time of sunset." later, the War Regulations Act interpreted "evening" as "time of dav not earlier than five o'clock in afternoon." The Department took action against a Timaru firm for keeping their premises open after seven, and Mr Day dismissed the case on the grounds that the interpretation 'in the War Regulations Act does not over-ride the Chief Justice's decision. After healing the argument his Honor reserved judgment.

PROGRESSIVE MINING BILL. Hokitika, May 14. In the course of his address to the Westland Mining Conference the Minister of Mines (Hon. W. D. S. McDonald) said he was preparing the most progressive Mining Bill yet put before the country. The measure will be introduced next session. He also had in preparation an Industries Bill for the past year with the object of assisting and establishing industries of a reproductive nature. Referring to agricultural matters he said the Department was about to establish an experimental farm. He fully recognised the future of the district and spoke in support of Otira as a factor in the future of the Dominion apart from the district importance.

ANOTHER DRINK VICTIM. Tauranga, May 14. A young native of Matakana Island shot 'himself yesterday and died on a launch while on his way to the hospital here. At the inquest to-day the coroner returned a verdict that deceased came bv his death as a result of a gunshot wound, self-inflicted while suffering from great mental depression following an over indulgence of strong drink.

WESTPORT NEWS. Westport, Last Night. Mr. Arthur Leaver, Mayor of Westport, was'elected chairman of the Buller Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, vice Mr. D. J. Williams, 'who resigned owing to pressure of private business. Frederick Hobbs, town clerk at Westport, has received notice of his appointment to the position of town clerk at Lyttelton. Mr. Hobbs, besides fulfilling liis municipal duties, has acted as secretary to a large number of public and semi-public functions.

THE WAKAREMOANA SCHEME. Napier, Last Night. At the council chambers this morning a conference of representatives of the various local bodies in Hawke's Bay was held at the invitation of the Mayor to consider the question of trying to persuade the Government to undertake immediately the work of harnessing Waikaremoana for the supply of electrical energy. The following resolution was carried unanimously: That this meeting work in with the league in sending a strong deputation to Wellington, and, failing the Government commencing work as a national scheme in conjunction with the other two proposals, that the Hawke's Bay County Council take advantage of |he Local Power Boards A«t,