NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 184, 3 May 1934, Page 10

NEWS IN BRIEF

Few Birds Sighted The opening day of the shooting season in the Wellington district was disappointing, the weather being calm and warm, with the result that very few birds were sighted. It is stated, however, that game is more plentiful this year than last, and, given suitable conditions, sportsmen are looking forward to securing some good bags. Rongotai College Artillery. During the term holidays' (May 5 to Muy 21) the artillery section of the Rongotai College cadets will spend a period in “barracks” at Fort Dorset. Barristers Admitted. In the Supreme Court at Palmerston North yesterday Messrs. L. 11. G. Sinclair and A. G. Roe, of Palmerston North, were admitted as barristers of the Supreme Court of New Zealand by Mr. Justice Fair, on the motion of Mr. H. R. Cooper.

Mr. Alpe’s Death. That death was due to coronary thrombosis w T as the verdict returned by tiie coroner, Mr. E. Gilbertson, at the inquest yesterday on Henry George Aipe, well-known athlete, who died at his residence in Austin Street on Sunday. The Legion and the Election.

The first public statement of the New Zealand Legion’s intentions at the next general election will be made by the Dominion president, Dr. Campbell Begg, at the annual meeting of the Hutt Valley Division of the legion this evening.

Selector Nominated. The Manawatu Rugby Union has nominated Mr. E. McKenzie, of Wairarapa, as a selector of New Zealand teams this year. Mr. McKenzie has held a seat on the selection committee since 1924, and helped to choose the team which went through the British tour that year without a defeat.

Saving to Hospital. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Wellington Blood Transfusion Service last night, Dr. Campbell Begg said that voluntary donations of blood by 66 men and women, who received no payment, had saved the Wellington Hospital Board £346/10/- during the year ended January 31, 1934. Before the free service was inaugurated each transfusion had cost the board £5/5/- in fees to professional donors. Malting Good Progress.

Reports from the hospital state that Lauri Aatos Gronlund. the 23-year-old apprentice of the Finnish barque Favell, who was operated on for appendicitis on Tuesday, is progressing satisfactorily. Mr. Gronlund was transhipped in mid-Tasman from the barque to the Union liner Monowai during the latter’s last trip to Wellington.

Reputation of Police. “The reputation of the police in this Dominion is a very high one,” said Mr. Justice Fair in the Supreme Court at Palmerston North yesterday. Mr. Justice Fair said the police tried to do their duly to an accused person by checking up his statements and attempting to obtain evidence in support of his case as well as doing their duty to the Crown. At all times, he said, the police endeavoured to work in the interests of both parties. All Black Selectors. ■

The selectors of the All Black team to tour Australia this season will be appointed at next Wednesday’s meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, according to a statement made by the chairman, Mr. S. S. Dean, at last night’s meeting of the committee. The selectors appointed this year will probably be asked to hold office for’ two seasons, selecting also the 1935 Ail Black team to tour Great Britain.

A Judge’s Comment. “The pitcher that goes to the well too often gets broken ultimately,” was the commentof Mr. Justice Reed when a jury in the Supreme Court yesterday returned a verdict of not guilty against John Paton Hardy and John Augustus Jeanes, who were charged jointly with the theft of muntz metal, valued at £7S 7/6, the property of the Wellington Harbour Board. Mr. R. Hardie Boys appeared for .Jeanes, while Hardy was not represented by counsel. Mr. P. S. K. Macassey conducted the prosecution.

“Arrest that Man!” When a jury returned to tiie crowded Supreme Court in Wellington yesterday afternoon with a not guilty verdict in a case, a muffled “hooray” t, went up from one of the public present. Tiie clerk of the court promptly and in a very much louder voice called, “Arrest that man.” Two constables began to show signs of interest, but the offender made himself inconspicuous among the crowd, and they did not attempt to find him. Many Rugby Reinstatements. ■ The largest number of applications for reinstatement to the Rugby Union game from Rugby League that the New Zealand Rugby Union has had at one time was dealt with at last night’s meeting of the management committee. The majority of the applications came from Auckland and Wellington, but Canterbury, West Coast and North Auckland figured prominently on the list. “All the League players must, be now back in Rugby,” remarked one member of the committee. The secretary, Mr. A. E. Neilson, said be Lad had a new cabinet installed to cope with the large number of applications. Hard on the Nerves. The fact that many people cannot stand the sight of blood was demonstrated at the annual meeting of the Wellington Blood Transfusion Service last night. A film showing surgeons engaged in a transfusion operation was being screened to illustrate the latest methods, and stifled gasps were heard among tiie audience. The picture proceeded in its graphic realism, and, unable to endure even a black and white representation of the real thing, a number of the beholders departed from the room, to return only when the film had run its course. R.S.A. Membership. The membership of the Now Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association stood at 21.640 at March 31, according to a circular received from the New Zealand association by the Wellington association. The Wellington association’s figure is 952. Auckland heads the list with 2489, and the Dunedin. Christchurch, Gisborne, and South Canterbury totals also exceed Wellington’s The Wellington membership twelve months before was 816, and Auckland, Dunedin, and Gisborne also increased in size. The New Zealand membership was 15,609 on Marell 31, 1933, so that the increase in twelve months was 16.3 per cent Factors in tiie sizes of associations are the annual subscriptions, Wellington’s being 10/-, Auckland’s 5/-, Dunedin’s 15/-, and Christchurch’s 10/->