DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

SOLDIER SETTLEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wliakatane, July 29. Mr. Skeet, Commissioner of Lands for Auckland, encountered a strong domain! for land by returned soldiers in tlie Ha;, of Plenty. Interviewed, on returning from Opotiki, he said the Land Board examined 40 applicants there for the Woodland estate, of 25 sections, and had a further 70 applicants to examine in Auckland to-morrow. About six weeks hence the Edgar Smith estate, Rangitaiki Swamp, will be similarly opened for selection, except a few of the wettest sections, also Soon afterwards ten sections at Pongakawa, and another in the Rangitaiki block, all for soldiers. SOLICITOR LEAVES THE COURT. Hamilton, July 29. There was a scene to-day in the Magistrate's Court. When Mr. Gillies was asking a client certain questions the magistrate, Mr. Burton, said he could not allow leading questions, and Mr. Gillies put the questions in another way. The magistrate still held that the evidence was inadmissible, and Mr. Gillies, saying "Very well, I will leave the court," hurriedly left the cQurt, his client following. The magistrate said he did not care to give judgment in .the absence of the parties, and adjourned the ease. Upon resuming Mr. Gillies did not appear. The magistrate adjourned the court for half-an-hour and summoned Mr. Gillies to appear. Upon resuming Mr. Gillies was still absent, and the magistrate adjourned the case till August 19, when Mr. Gillies was summoned to appear. OCCULTATION OF A STAR. ■ Wellington, July 2!). The Government Astronomer states that he has received information of the occultatios of a star by the planet Venus, which will be visible in New Zealand. The star is rather faint and of magnitude 8.0, and the occultation will take place on Saturday, August 2, between 0 p.m. qnd 7 p.m At the time of occultation the altitude of Venus will be about 20 degrees. , Observations are required of the time the star disappears behind Venus and tjie time when the star re-appears. Astronomers who require the exact time should make early application to the Hector Observatory, Wellington, and if possible accurate time signals will be sent to them. .