TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17324, 25 May 1918, Page 8

TELEGRAMS.

(Pra Unitkd Phbhs Association.) AUCKLAND, May 24. - Supreme Court to-day an old m. n named William M'Lean was sentenced to fiye years' imprisonment and declared an habitual criminal for indecent assault on a little girl. In 1882 and 1889 he was sentenced for indecent assault. At the Police Court to-day Henry Edgar Forgie was fined £100 for betting at the Auckland trotting meeting on Ap'ril 13. , WELLINGTON, Mav 24. l Ine Minister of Public Health, referring Wday to the discussion on leviee at the Wellington Hospital Board meeting, said ,rt was truo that in 1916 ho aromised the Kwron Borough Council that he would endeavour to readjust the system on which subsidies were paid, in order to about nwre equitable treatment. Shortly after °9ftting into office he began to evolve a system which would assist the poorer hospital. districts and have tho effect of placing thp,,richer districts upon practically the nine basis. This reform was prepared for in 1916, and was ready for tho season in 1917, but tho decision of the Cabinet that legislation should bo confined to war measures prevented him from having the opportunity of bringing hi 3 proposals before tho House. The Minister expressed the opinion thai the subsidy should depend on tho rate levied, and whore a ratp was above tho average—which was mw, about l-7d in the pound—the subsidy •fciald bo increased He proposed to bring tHo matter before the Cabinet again as one of-.urgency, with a view to an alteration of present unfair system. Next session a JSjU would be prepared for that purpose. V * i_ WESTPOBT, May 24. , A , by-election was held to-dav to fill the vad&ricy in the Borough Council oaused bv the .resignation of Mr J. W. Fair, who is gding into camp. Tho weather was boisterous, and tho polling was small. Result: 329. W. J Wilson 232, T. Samoel Sq, , ; Ine successful • candidato was tho nominee of tho Labour Representation Committee.