DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 7 March 1946, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS

NORTH ISLAND BUSH FIRES ROTORUA, March 5. Throughout the period of the bush fires, the State Forest Department has not lost one tree of its . exotic plantations, and the area of native bush swept by the fires is not large. It is stated timber from native bush burns will be salvaged within two years. The recent rains have allowed some relaxation by fire watchers. Gangs are seeking out smouldering logs. Other men engaged in lire fighting are being dispersed. Army personnel are being released from theii’ stations at Taupo. Only skeleton crews are being retained of the fire bridages called out. At Rotorua the Air Force contingent, originally 100, has been reduced to ten men, who are keeping things in readiness should the need for a large force again become necessary. A stormy week-end has been- succeeded by cold days with high southerly winds. At •the moment their appears little likelihood of further rain. N.Z. DIVORCE TOO EASY P.A. DUNEDIN, March 6. In view of the “scandalous ease” with 'which divorce can be obtained on the ground of failure to comply with an order for the restitution of ' conjugal rights the Dunedin Presbytery js to ask the General Assembly’s public questions committee to consider recommending the Assembly to urge ministers of the Church to refuse to re-marry persons divorced on this ground. Moving to this effect, Frofessor Allan said the Church had always been of the opinion that this was a wrong ground for divorce, and when the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) was prepared to speak in such a straightforward manner it was time for the Church to do something. The Assembly had declared its mind on many aspects of the matter, but had left the decision to the individual minister. But where the position was so scandalous ought not the Church draw the line somewhere? The position was so serious and the law so lax that the Church out to take'its stand. The Rev. J. MpGregor said he had refused to marry people after divorce on these grounds, but there were, unfortunately, many other ministers . who asked no questions. He felt that they had let him down. Other Churches are .to be asked to join in urging the Government to amend the law.

BUTCHER EVADES RATION LIMIT CHRISTCHURCH, March 6 Lancelot Ural Higgs, a butcher, was fined a total of £l5 on two charges of breaches of the rationing regulations in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Higgs was charged that between June 30, 1045, and January 3, 1946, he failed to declare on his trades authority to acquire 13,966 lb of rationed meat and that between the same dates he acquired that quantity of meat from the Wholesale Meat Company and others in circumstances in which the Wholesale Meat Company and others were prohibited from supplying the meat under the emergency regulations. Higgs pleaded guilty to both charges. Detective Sergeant A. A. Herron said Higgs had obtained the meat by submitting untrue returns of his purchases. In view of the amount involved the Food Controller considered' it a serious charge. MAORI SENT TO GAOL F.A. HASTINGS, March 6. Three months’ imprisonment was imposed by Mr. Miller, S.M., in the Hastings Court on a Maori, Tai Hikl, aged 19, for conversion of a motorcar. On charges of attempting to convert another car and wilfully damaging a car, thereby committingmischief, he was ordered 1o come up for sentence if called on within 12 months. SEXUAL OFFENDERS NEW PLYMOUTH, March 6. Mr. Justice Johnston to-day sentenced the following:— Harold Irving, a' former vicar of Inglewood, on four counts of indecent assault on males to two years’ reformative detention. For indecent assault on males, Kipa Manu Sharland was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Gordon Leslie James McLeod, on

two counts of indecent assault on a CHEAPER VEGETABLES? WELLINGTON, March 6 Growers believe that the State will enter the vegetable selling business. They believe that the Government intends to continue the contract growing system of the war years, and that this system will be used to force down prices to give the public cheaper vegetables. Rumours among growers reached such proportions that the executive of the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners, together with the growers’ representative on the Vegetable Marketing Advisory Committee approached the Minister of Marketing (Mr. Roberts). This deputation asked the Minister that if he had plans to alter tfce marketing system they should be withheld until the growers had been given time to consider them.

It is now understood that the growers have been asked to submit their proposals for alternate systems, male, was sentenced to two years’ reformative detention. Dermot Thomas Rowe, on two counts of indecent assault on a male, was sentenced to 12 months’ reformative detention.

PRISONER COLLAPSES IN DOCK F.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, March 6. A prisoner named Dorset William Bertie collapsed in the dock of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth when he was 1 sentenced by Mr. Justice Johnston to six months’ imprisonment for breaking, entering and theft. AUCKLAND WATER SHORTAGE P.A. AUCKLAND, March 6 It is not likely that rationing of water will begin in Auckland in. the immediate future, although it has been stated that the City Council’s works committee will probably discuss the matter at its next meeting. The chairman of the committee. Mr. A. S. Bailey, said it was intended to take time to judge the result of the householder circulars which are being sent out this week. “We anticipate that the full co-operation of the public will save the need for further restrictions; but I wish to say that the circulars being sent to householders constitute the last appeal,” said Mr. Bailey. “If they do not have the desired result, further restrictions must be imposed. The council is hoping to avoid that, and has so far given as much freedom as practicable. The returns received show that one outside local body has effected a saving of more “than 50 percent., and if that cail tfe none- m one area it can be done in others.” After receiving advice from the health authorities, the council ceased pumping water from Lake PupUke on Monday afternoon, and North Shore residents reverted to the normal supply from the Waitakere ranges. A considerable amount of organic matter from the bottom of the lake had been disturbed by pumping.