HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 March 1925, Page 3

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent).

HOKITIKA, March 25. The Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Mines, etc., 'and party arrived in Hokitika shortly after four o’clock yesterday. They were met by the Mayor (Mr Perry). Mr Evans. (County Clerk), and others. Contrary to expectations, the Minister was not interviewed by deputations, the exception being a private one of sawlnillers respecting the sawdust disposal difficulty. To-day, at 9 a,m., the Minister started on his South Westland trip during which he will perform the official opening of the new Kakapotahi bridge at Waitaha. Later in the afternoon ho will proceed to Hart Hari and Waiho. Mr G. A. Wood, who is interested in coastal shipping in Canterbury has gone to Auckland for the purpose (it is reported) of purchasing a boat for the South Westland service. Mr Green, the motor driver examiner, had a busy day again on Monday, putting about 80 applicants (including ladies) through their examinations. The concluding case of the Supreme Court here was William Kerr v. Catherine Kerr, suit for statement of accounts in connection with the alleged trust accounts between husband and wife. Mr Elcock ap,peered for- plaintiff and Mr Murdoch for defendant. Both plaintiff and defendant gave evidence at length. His Honor in giving judgment, stated this was a very unusual case brought by a man against his wife. They were married in 1912, and in 1924 a separation order was made against the husband by the Mag. istrate, on the grounds of persistent cruelty. ‘ Then plaintiff brought the present action. He claimed first that a piece of land with a house on it was bought by the wife on trust for him. The only evidence in support was his own, but. this was flatly contradicted by his wife. He (the Judge) was not prepared to accept the husband’s. The second claim was that in addition to the land the husband asked for such a sum as may be Hound to be due by the wife as trustee for the husband. The plaintiff called no evidence to support his own, and his wife denied his evidence. There was no corroboration. He would give judgment for defendant, with costs as per scale on a £3OO action, the registrar to settle the disbursements and witnesses’ expenses. Mr H. A. Thompson has almost recovered from his illness and is about again.