FIRES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 6

FIRES.

SHOPS AT TE KUITI

(IBSSS ASSOCIATION TELEGKiif )

TE KUITI, January 21

Two shops occupied by Mrs Gascogne, restaurant keeper, and A. C. Mercer, tobacconist, were almost destroyed by fire at 4 o'clock this mornA boarder sleeping iu a detached building; at the back of the restaurant noticed the fire and gave the alarm. The fire had a good hold on the build, incs which were old and very dry. Thev burnt fiercely. The upper storey of the building next door, occupied by A W Dellv, confectioner, was scorched, but the efforts of the brigade and the absence of wind prevented a spread, , . ~ Mercer's stock was insured in the National Office for £425. He suffered a total loss. Gascogne's furniture and effects were insured in the State Office for £450. In addition Mrs Gascogne lost £IOO in cash, which was kept on thti premises. She had a narrow escape in her night attire.

BOARDINGHOUSE BURNED

(PSE9B ISSOCUTIOW TELEOSAM.) WAIPUKURAU, January 21. About three o'clock this morning a ■seven-roomed dwelling occupied by Mrs M. Wall and private boarders was completely gutted. The brigade was promptly on the scene, but little ot the contents were eaved. It is thought that the fire originated in the dining-room. The house was owned by trustees of the estate of the late Rupuha Te Hianga. The budding was worth about £I2OO, and was insured in the State Office for £BSO. The insurance on the furniture is not known.

HOUSE AT LEVIN. (*RKSS \SBOCIATIOK TBLEOBAK.) LEVIN, January 21. A fire occurred to-day by which a seven-roomed house owned by John Ryder and occupied by Chas. Kedlern, was destroyed with the contents. The latter, with his family, went to Foxton in the roornins, and there was no one in the house when the fire broke out. When discovered the flames had a good hold, and it was impossible to save any of the contents. ' As the owner and lessee are botli absent from town, the insurances are not available.

Be Prepared. See that you have adequate fire protection. Consult the Mercantile and General Insurance Ltd., Hereford street. 6

PRISONERS SENTENCED

CASES AT WELLINGTON

[THE PBESS Bpacial Service. J

WELLINGTON, January 21. • Eight prisoners who had pleaded guilty in the Lower Court to .charges of crime were brought before Mr Justice Beed in the Supreme Court to-day. for sentence. In sentencing William George^ Gundy to ten years' imprisonment with hard labour, for assault on a male, hi(Honour said the case was a very bad one. In 1911 prisoner was sentenced to ten yLrs' imprisonment for interference with boys and had been allowed out on license, and according to the police report, before the expiration «_ tha * term prisoner committed the offence which he now admitted. . Appearing for Thomas Keely a labourer, who had admitted a charge of indecent assault on a female, Mr i. 0 Cleary said that accused was a young man of low mentality and he had been so practically all his life. His Honour said the case was one in whicli the protection of children was involved, and a sentence of two years' reformative detention was imposed. "The crime was due to a craving tor alooholic liquor," said Mr W. E. Leicester, who appeared for William Mawcon Channen, who admitted a charge of theft at Wellington. . . His Honour said that in view of all the circumstances in the case prisoner would be left out for six months to Bee if he could resist the craving. Bonds must be furnished for his appearance at the end of the period specified. Walter 'Worthrngton (38), a baker, was sentenced to two years' hard labour for forging amd uttering at Napier. His Honour said prisoner had a bad record. , Joseph Francis Ward (46),, a labourer, and Albert Joseph Bell (4*J), labourer, were each sentenced to two years' imprisonmnt, with hard •*«»";> for breaking and entering and theft at Palmerston North. Harold Joseph Whittle, alias Harold Tobin (26), motor mechanic, who admitted a charge of theft of a motor-car and of breaking and entering at Fending, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour. His Honour said that accused had numerous previous convictions recorded against him. , Mr J. W. Scott, who appeared for Jos«bh Fyrtle Howe (38), carpenter, who had admitted a charge of theft at the Upper Hutt, said that accused had hitherto borne an excellent characterin the district. His Honour admitted accused to probation for two years on condition that he made. restitution of the amouiii stolen in sums to be fixed by the probation officer.