DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1941, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

[per press association.] fatallnjuries. PALMERSTON NORTH, May 22. Fatal injuries were suffered by a railway surfaceman, R. J. Terry, married, aged 43, of Palmerston North, when trucks being shunted m the station yard knocked him over. The wheels passed over his right leg. He was rushed to hospital, where he died. CHARGE WITHDRAWN WELLINGTON, May 23. Leave was given by Mr. Luxford, S.M., to the probation officer, to withdraw a charge of breach of probation against Leonard Neiling< which was called this morning. Neiling was recently sentenced to life imprisonment for the manslaughter of Mrs. Horton. PRISONERS SENTENCED. NAPIER, May 23. Prisoners were sentenced by Mr. Justice Smith, in the Supreme Court, as follow:— John McGregor, 62, seven charges of indecent assault on boys, four years’ reformative detention on each charge, to be concurrent. John Laurence Mouat, negligent driving causing death, and two charges of negligent driving causing bodily injury, three months hard labour. Frank Burge, 58, - wilful obscene exposure, three months’ hard labour. George Matthew Spencer, 64, indecent assault on a girl, two yeais reformative detention. IMPRESSED~VEHICLES. WELLINGTON, May 22. The interests of owners of motorvehicles whose vehicles are used m activities connected with the Army Emergency Precautions Scheme, or Home Guard, etc., are safeguarded under the Emergency Regulations gazeted to-night. These provide taat the owner of such vehicles will not be penalised in respect of heavy traffic fees, provision being made lor rebates as from the dates of being taken over. The interests of farmers who are entitled to concessions in fees where vehicles are used on their farms are also protected in cases where the vehicles are used in the Emergency Precautions Scheme or the Home Guard. The regulations arc retrospective to cover the recent impressments.

TRAM-FARE INCIDENT. WELLINGTON, May 23

Sunday tramfares in Wellington, now entail a chgrge of threepence for the first section of the ride, and Sunday fares were in force on Anzac Day. Harold Vincent Potter refused to pay the extra penny, although asked not only by the conductor, but by an inspector and a constable. The result was a prosecution which took place to-day. “It was Arizac Day, and I am a returned soldier, and about five of us are left out of the old battalion, who congregate every Anzac Day,” he said. “Of course, we have a few beers, and I thought I was getting taken down.’’

“I will fine you one shilling, with-out-costs,” said Mr. Luxford, S.M. “Don’t do it next Anzac Day.” SHIPBUILDING SUPPLIES. AUCKLAND, May 22. Representations by shipbuilding contractors on difficulties in obtaining material from Australia were made in conference with the Minister for Supply (Mr. Sullivan) during a visit to shipbuilding yards at Auckland. It was stated that their contracts were being delayed by the shortage. Mr. Sullivan replied that the same trouble had been experienced in other cases where it was necessary to obtain material from overseas. The contractors were assured that the utmost effort was being made to overcome all difficulties, and the Minister stated that the end of the trouble was in sight. He said he had given instructions to his officers on certain lines which, he thought, would produce good results in a few days. It gave great satisfaction to know that it was possible to build ships in New Zealand for civil and defence purposes. If the materials required could be obtained, the Government could extend its building programme. New Zealand had the skilled men and the organising ability for the work. <