DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1929, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS.

DEFENCE. OF BHUPHY. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Dec. 5. Relative to 11 io cable about Richard Bmpln', formerly second in command ol the Byrd Expedition, Tapley and Co., base agents for the Expedition state there is no truth in the assertion that an intrigue with a Broadway actress caused his dismissal. Brophy was not dismissed. He suffered a severe breakdown in Dunedin and during that period of incapacity was unfit to handle the Expedition’s affairs, so that his resignation was accepted. There was no question of misdemeanour, only unnecessary expenditure arising from Brophy’s illness. Commander Byrd was, and is much concerned over Brophy’s welfare and future. In the early stages of the expedition Bropliv proved an efficient organiser, rendering inestimable service.

A BIG CONTRACT. AA’ELLINGTON, Dec, 4, The City Council has accepted the tender of AY. Hodges for the construction of a reinforced concrete structure to replace the Kelburn viaduct. The price is £21,439. CHILD’S TRAGIC DEATH. AUCKLAND, Dec. 4. As the result- of scalds, a two-vcar-old child. Tviveil A. Biddick, son. of Air and Airs K. J. Biddick, of Tuakau, died at the Auckland Hospital at 2.30 this morning. The child was injured on AT.on.dny afternoon at the farm on which the family resides. , Mrs Biddick had carried into the yard a small hath of boiling water, and before she had time to add cold water to it the child, who was playing nearby, foil backwards into the hath. It was at once realised that the scalds were severe and little hope was entertained for a recoveiy. At the inquest this afternoon the child’s father stated that his wife had put some boiling water into a tin to give the pup a hath. While she was getting some cold water the nup ran at the child, who backed away on to the tin, fell in, and was scalded. The inquest was adojurned. PLUAIBING AVORK. INTER ESTI.N G RULTX G. NRAV PLYAIOUTIT, Dec. 5. An unregistered plumbing contractor is entitled to employ a registered plumber to do sanitary plumbing work, even though the employer himself is not a registered plumber. This was the ruling given by Air .Justice Ale Gregor to-day, when dismissing an appeal by the Health Department against the decision of Air R. AY. Tate, S.M. The Alagistrate had held that Sydney George, an unregistered plumber had not committed ail offence against the Act or the Regulations when he employed a registered plumber to do sanitary plumbing. The Department argued that- the employer of the man who actually did the work must he registered. MISSING BANKRUPT. AA’ELLINGTON, December o. The creditors in the bankrupt estate of John Albert Bitters, builder, o‘f Lower Huff, decided that the Official Assignee should endeavour to have Bitters brought back to New Zealand, and that if there are not sufficient funds in the estate to provide a guarntee, the creditors to sign a bond pro rata. As the result of inquiries made by a legal firm, it was stated that the assets available would probably be £479 13s 6d, and it was asserted that if Bitters came back, a further £9OO might be available. The amount owing to creditors was given as £2039 13s 2d. The bankrupt’s wife was represented by counsel at the meeting.

A GENEROUS GIFT. CHRISTCHURCH. Dec 5. A (1 -milion of £SOO lias been given to the Rangiora High School by ATr T. Chapman, a retired fanner, of ( nristclnirch, towards a fund for tlie development of agricultural education, of which the school makes a special feature. FATAL GUN ACCIDENT. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 3. At Kaikoura this evening the body of Harry Hilmore Cower, aged 48, married, retired farmer, was found in the lupins near the beach with the top of his head blown off. He left home at three o’clock to shoot rabbits. At seven o’clock his wife was alarmed because he did not return, and she asked friends to search for him. The body was found near a barbed wire fence, and a- double-barrelled gun with one barrel discharged, was found standing upright against the fence. A FIRE BLENHEIM, Dec. 5. A four-roomed dwelling, insured for £3(O in the State Office, owned by Frank Hongood, and occupied by Airs Clara Hounsell, was partially destroyed during the night. The insurance on (lie contents is £233 in the Phoenix Office. HARDSHIP COMMISSION. WELLINGTON, December 3. The personnel of the Commission which is to inquire into any cases olf hardship which might arise as the result of the passing of the Land and

Income Tax Amendment Act last session has been decided upon by the Government, and was announced in the Gazette last night. Mr W. G. Riddell, formerly Senior Magistrate in Wellington, is to he chairman, and the other two members will be Mr I). G. dark and Mr A. E. Fower, both of whom have occupied the position of Commissioner of Taxes. Mr Clark is the nominee of the Governmnet, and Mr Fowler will represent the farming community. VISITING GOVERNOR. AUCKLAND, December 5. General Sir Alexander Hore Rutlivon. Governor of South' Australia, and his party will arrive in Auckland from Sydney on Monday, December 10th. The visitors will have the use olf the Vice-Regal car on the railways during a tour of the North Island. His Excellency and party will leave Auckland for Rotorua on Tuesday, December 17th, and will remain in the thermal regions till Friday, January lOt-li, when they will leave Rotorua for Wellington, arriving there by the Limited express on Saturday morning, January lltli.