DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1927, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

TEACHERS’ PROTEST. WOODVILLE, Nov. 19. At a meeting of teachers of Woodville District High School to-day it was resolved to unaimously support the Educational Institute protest against the clause in the Education Amendment Bill empowering Boards to inflict fines on teachers guilty of disobedience or neglect as such would he a grave reflection on the character and integrity of the teaching profession. nightingales. OBJECTION TO INTRODFCTIOX. WELLINGTON, Nov. J 7. The intention mentioned in a recent cable to introduce to New Zealand and place them on Little Barrier Island provoked a protest from the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society, who pointed out that tlieso birds are insectivorous and migratory, two habits extremely difficult to satisfy in captivity, and the venture would probably end in the deaths of some individuals of a charming species of songbird now becoming increasingly scarce. Further it was possible that those birds would introduce diseases 'injurious to other other birds. Incidentally it was suggested that the importation of the Indian minali was responsible for the spread of a tick disease fatal to a cousin, the lniia.

The Internal Affairs Department stales that instructions already have been issued to prevent nightingales landing without authority. Further it was against the policy of the Government to allow imported birds to he placed on sanctuaries such n.S Little Barrier Island, which had boon specially set apart for the preservation of indigenous birds, and even if it should be decided to allotv nightingales to he introduced to the Dominion such permission would lie subject to their not being liberated on Little Barrier or any other island sanctuary.

VITAL STATISTICS. WELLINGTON, Nov. 17. During October the total live births registered for urban areas amounted to 1162 as against 1164 in September, a decrease of two. Deaths in Octtober were 566, a decrease- of 31 as compared with the previous month. Of the total deaths 314 were males and 252 females. Sixty-three of the deaths were of children under five years of age. being 11.13 per cent of the whole number. Forty-three of these were under one year of age.

TAX ON PETROL, OAMARU, Nov. 17. At a meeting of the North Otago Motor Association, discussing the Petrol Tax to-night, resolutions were passed as VUows: “That this meeting approves of an imposition of 4d per gallon, hut strongly protests against the incidence of the expenditure of such taxes being left solely to the discretion of the Minister of Public Works, and unanimously urges that the tax collected in each Island he allocated to such Island.,’’ and “that this meeting also approves of the South Island having an extra member on the Main Highways Board. Such member to he appointed by the South Island Motor Union.

SUDDEN DEATH. DUNEDIN, Nov. 18. Albert Martin, dairy farmer, residing at North East Harbour, died suddenly in a spring cart, in Cumberland (Street, at .10.30 yesterday morning. Ho was 68 years of age. A doctor had attended him recently for weakness of the heart. An inquest- was not considered necessary. CYCLIST INJURED. NAPIER, Nov. 18. When Ernest Shatton, of 34 Hardin© Road, attempted to pass between a bus and a car on Awatoto Road, to-night, he became jammed, and struck t-lie car. The driver of the car had no warning of the cyclist’s presence as the latter shot out from behind the bus. Shatton was admitted to the hospital with a fractured leg, fractured wrist and facial injuries. His condition is not serious. AGED WIDOW’S DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 18. Rosina Williams, widow, aged 06, was found this afternoon, lying dead in a flower garden at her home. She had been cutting the edges of a lawn with shears, when she had a heart attack. No inquest is to he held. SAMOAN COMMISSION. WELLINGTON. Nov. 18. Tt is expected that the dralt report of the Samoan Commission will be ready for submission to the Chief Justice. Sir Charles Skerrctt. Chairman of the Commission, to-day. that the full report will be completed late next week. “V BIRD OF PASSAGE.” MAR-TON, Nov. 18. George McLeod llnss. described by the police as a bird of passage, was found intoxicated in charge of a motor 1 car last evening. He appeared before Justices this morning. The police stated that accused was not drunk, hut not in a fit condition to drive the vehicle, on which, at the time of arrest lie was attempting to mend a puncture. Accused was previously convicted of* a similar offence at Ngnruawahia and had his license cancelled. To-day he was fined £5. and for driving without a license was convicted and discharged.

OUCHABDTST FINED. WELLINGTON, Nov. 18. Failure to stamp the registered number of a ease containing fruit, was charged against O. M. Bobinson, orchardist of Appleby. The Inspector said the offence did not seem to liavo been deliberate, and the prosecution was the first for many years. Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs.