DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 February 1939, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

[PEB 1«B®S8 ASSOCIATION.]

CHINESE AND OPIUM WELLINGTON, Feb. 7

Gee Loeng, Chinese ‘laundryman, was fined fifty pounds, at the Magistrate's Court for permitting premises 1.0 lie used for smoking of opium.

Twelve other Chinese found unlawfully on lhe premises were fined from V 12/10/- lo .03(1. DRIVER. IMPRISONED AUCKLAND, February 2. In the Police Court, Joseph Albert Churches, 35, labourer, admitted intoxication while in charge of a car at. Ellerslie on January 21, after making a round of the hotels, it was stated that he had three previous convictions for the same type of offence, the last in 1931. Prisoner was sentenced to a fortnight’s gaol, and his license was cancelled for two years.

BOOKMAKING CHRISTCHURCH, February 6

A plea of guilty was entered by Alexander Sinclair McAllister, aged 34, a labourer, to a charge of bookmaking at the Riccarton racecourse on February 4. Detective-Sergeant F. Sinclair said that McAllister had taken half-crown bets in front, of the grandstand. He had 5/3 in his possession when arrested, and had obviously not met will) much success in his bookmaking venture.

McAllister was fined £3, in default I'l days’ imprisonment.

INTOXICATED DRIVER NEW PLYMOUTH, February 6. Unusual circumstances relating to a motor ride from New Plymouth to Oakura and back were discussed in the New Plymouth Police Court today. “You were very foolish to take liquor and get into the company of loose white women, but I want, to give you a chance.” said Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., when sentencing Mason Meihana Maaitanara, a half caste, aged 22, who admitted intoxication while in charge of a car. A second charge of assaulting Nola. Joan Tito, a European, living apart from her husband, was withdrawn by the police. Besides having his driver’s license cancelled for 12 months, Maaitanara was ordered to take out a prohibition order. He was admitted to probation.

HAWKE’S BAY RIVER HASTINGS, February 6. The precarious position of the Ngaruroro river scheme loan was revealed to-day at the Hawke’s Bay River Board's monthly meeting at. Napier. “We have enough for about a fortnight." said Mr. C. Lassen, the chairman, commenting on the necessity for receiving from the State Advances Department the balance of £18.200 of the Ngaruroro river loan. “IT the State Advances does not take up the loan we will have to close down,” Mr. Lassen added.

A. board member, Mi - . H. M. Thompson, said he was one who had resented Mr. Semple’s remarks alleging that the board was “mucking up” the scheme, but. now he was inclined to agree with the Minister. Mr. Thompson alleged that the board was wasting money and without a proper plan. This was vigorously denied by the chairman, who answered specific, complaints.