DOMINION NEWS.

Grey River Argus, 17 June 1927, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

HUMAN SKULL FOUND. (Per Press Assn.) HAWERA, June 16. A human skull was found on Ohawe Beach, near Hawera, yesterday. It is believed to be that of Thomas Pennington, who was drowned on Greenmeadows Beach, near Opunake, in January. COMMUNITY BUSES. AUCKLAND, June 16. The first step towards testing the legality of the community bus system was taken in the Police Court with 40 charges against thirteen persons, connected with Mt Eden and Birkenhead Social and Transit Social Clubs. It transpired that defendants obtained licenses for motor coaches, whereas Ihe Act describes motor omnibuses as vehicles, designed solely or principally for the carriage of passengers ii excess of seven. The cass is part heard. A PETTY SPIRIT. AUCKLAND, June 16. The University College Students’ Association discussed the proposed visit of the United States debating team, who are expected to remain in New Zealand from about November 1 to November 15. It was decided that as the dates clash with the annual examinations, no action be taken, and 'to forward the letter to the Auckland Forensic Club. WOMAN’S DEATH. GISBORNE, June 16. Under lonely circumstances, the death occurred of a widow named Ema Curtis (60), who had been living by herself in a whare at Te Hapara for a number of years. A visitor to the whare found Mrs Curtis in an unconscious condition, and she was conveyed to the hospital, where she died. An inquest will be held. INQUEST ON MAORI INFANT. GISBORNE, June 16. The Coroner hold an inquest into the death of a Maori child, aged three, who caught a severe cold, and was ’ ‘brought by his parents from the country to a herbalist, who prescribed two bottles of cough mixture, the medicine proving ineffective. Claude Edwin Bolton stated that he

was a retired schoolmaster and carried on business as herbalist. The parents brought the child to him on Monday suffering from a bad cough, and was very weak. Witness prescribed a mixture of paregoric, peppermint, aniseed, oil and honey, and also fluid methylated spirits and water, coloured with burnt sugar, to open the pores. He never pressed for payment, but if the Maoris liked to give him anything he allowed them.

Witness said that he studied medicine about sixty years ago, and had been prescribing medicine for Maoris since 1868.

Dr Rice stated that the post-mortem revealed the child’s general condition to show signs of pleurisy of several days’ duration. The medicine given would have slight effect. The Coroner returned a verdict that the child died from bronchitis and pneumonia following on pleurisy.

TLS.A. CONFERENCE WELLINGTON, June 15. The R.S.A. Conference carried the following remits after a little discus sion :-(l) asking for statment, from the Minister of Lands, as to the possibility of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act being reopened for housing purposes at an early date; (2) ra-affirming the policy of the Ass Delation for a subdivision of suitable areas or Crown lands when the present leases are terminated,and protesting against the proposal by farmers that preference to returned soldiers at the land ballots be removed; (3) that when a soldier is unable to pay both principal and interest but can pay interest. he may at the discretion of the Land Board be allowed the usual rebate on the interest. Special receommendations were, adopted regarding Ngaroma and Kaiherfe soldier settlements. It was recommended that South African veterans be given the same privileges under the Discharged Sol Jin Settlement Act as the returned soldier t- in the Great War. It was resolved as regards housing that as repayments are made they be earmarked for loans for housing to soldiers who did not avail themselves of the priviliges when the scheme was in force.

The Government was urged to make provision flor disabled returned soldiers by providing work as lift attendants, night-watchmen or messengers in Government Departmerts.