LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 817, 14 May 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

plunge from the dock to the altar was made by a defendant concerned in a case at tho S.M. Court yesterday. The Court constituted itself a matrimonial agency for tho time being, and tho difficulties which had arisen between two parties were wiped out by the proposals of the counsel on tho respective sides, who prevailed upon the' Court to discharge the prisoner to enable him to bo married. His Worship discharged the prospective bridegroom on the understanding that if he was married that afternoon the charge against Mm would be withdrawn. Arrangements 1 for tho ceremony were Bet in train immediately, and smiles and good wishes were the order of the day.

It is understood that the receipts and expenditure on the New Zealand Rifie Championship meeting, which was held in March last, have shown a fairly substantial deficiency. Previous rifle championship meetings at Trentham have resulted in balances on the wrong side, but the debit balance on the last occasion is understood to be considerably larger than those previously recorded.

A Scotchman, who told the Supreme Court yesterday that his entire savings (£45) had passed from his possession into the hands of a man who "seemed to bo a gentleman," evinced a keen desire to re-establish himself, and he took a lively interest in the proceedings. "I am not going to be so foolish, again," ho said, and cross-examining counsel found him a hard nut to crack. He gave his age as 66, and credited himself with having a "fairish" memory. "And you can remember exactly what happened two years ago ?" asked oounsel, in a tone of incredulity. "Yes, replied the canny one,- "and I caii give you some details forty years back. (Laughter.) .

Considerable activity is being displayed by members of the Police Force in anticipation of the election of a member of the Force to represent tho Force on the Public Service ,' Superannuation Board. Tho election is to be-held on Slay 81, and the nominations are:—lnspector Ellison, of Wellington; Sergeant Dart, of the Wellington Training Depot; and Chief Detective Herbert, of Dunodm. Committees are at work forwarding the interests of the various candidates.

Two matters affecting Hutt residents were bronght under the notice of the Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Railways) by Mr. Wilford, M.P., yesterday. The first was a request that the morning train and also tho 5.19 p.m. train from To Aro should stop at Mellings. Mr. Millar said he hoped to be able to give a final answer on the point on Monday. The other matter related to a complaint as to trucks being allowed to block Kelly's Lane. It appears that the facts in this case were 1 not admitted by the Railway Department. The Gear Meat Company said it was a matter entirely for the Railway Department to deal with. Mr. Wilford declared that the trouble could bo avoided by grading, which wonld double the capacity .of the siding. Mr. Millar promised fci have a report made as 6oon as. possible.

"AH witnesses in this case must leave the Court" is a common enough order in the S.M. Court, but the" order is not always obeyed. IVice during the present week- witnesses who had been commanded to leave the Court failed to do so, the second case arising yesterday, when the presiding magistrate took a definite stand. Mr. "W. G. Riddell, S.M., said he would hear the evidence the witnesses in question had to offer, but as they had not left the Court when ordered to do so their testimony must bo discounted; The eloquence of counsel for the defence failed to make his Worship relax.

The newspaper case from Dannevirke, H. F. S. King, managing editor of the "Dannevirke Evening News" v. the Dannevirke Publishing Company, was referred to in Court yesterday. The claim by King is for £2000 for alleged wrongful dismissal. In Chambers a few days ago, the newspaper company moved for stay of proceedings,. on the ground that any dispute ought to have been referred to arbitration, ae provided for in the agreement under which King was engaged. Mr. Justice' Cooper decided yesterday that the matter should have been referred to the arbitrators, and ordered a stay of proceedings, in order that the arbitration clause of the agreement should be complied with. Costs on this motion were awarded against King. In cross-examination by Mr'. Herdman yesterday, a witness, Simpkins,- described evidences of a burglary which had taken place at his grocery shop in Brooklyn. From the appearance of iho place next morning, it seemed that the burglar had treated himself to biscuits and lemonade. A lemonade bottle left on tho counter bore fingerprints which had assisted the police materially. Cross-examination was directed to the condition of the crates of lemonade bottles, and the shopkeeper explained that his shop had been opened for the! first time on the day preceding the burglary, and there had been no sales of lemonade, or, indeed, of anything clso. "This was my first customer," added tho shopkeeper, amid laughter. Examinations were held recently at Alexandra South, Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Cromwell, Dunedin, Greymouth, Hamilton, Havelock, Hokitika, Invercargill, Kaikoura, Kawakawa, Napier, Nelson, Opotiki, Pahnorston North, Eeefton, Russell, Timaru, Wanganui, Wellington, and Westport by tho oxaminors of the Inspection of Machinery Department. Of the two hundred and forty-six candidates who Bat for examination, one hundred and eighty-four wero successful. Tho examinations were for tho following classes of . certificates: — marine engineer, second-class marine engineer, third-class marine _ engineer, river engineer, marine engine-driver, and engineers of auxiliary-powered vessels (both for sea-going and river trade), extra first-class engineer, firstclass stationary ongine-drivcr, secondclaso stationary engine-driver, locomotive and traction engine-driver, _ and winding engine-driver (for mining certificates).

A conference has been held between the underwriters' inspectors and officers of the City Council with regard to the improved system of installing electric light, which the council wishes to have permitted by the insurance regulations. The underwriters' inspectors present wore Messrs. Walker (Auckland), Ware (Wellington), Armstrong (Christehurch), and Shepherd (Dunedin). The officers of the council who took part in the conference were Mr. S. Richardson, electrical tramway engineer and manager, Mr. G. Lauchlan, lighting superintendent, and Mr. Campbell, inspector. Tho underwriters' inspectors will report to tho Executive of the Fire Underwriters' Association, who will consider tho report and communicate' their decision to the City Council. From the tenor of remarks.made at -the conference, the council's officers are in hopes that the amendment they desire in tho insurance regulations will be conceded.

A master mariner, giving evidenco in | the Duco insurance case yesterday, fa- | voured the Court with an interesting demonstration to justify his disapproval of deck cargoes. He took from his pocket a curious toy, consisting of a little image, which, though placed on a hemispherical base, not only 6tood upright, but if pressed over into a horizontal position, regained the vertical as soon as the demonstrator 1 s finger was removed from ft. The explanation was that the base was of lead and the upper part of some light material. "There s your ship ballasted," said the witness; "and here" —producing a heavy pin and sticking it into the head of the image— "is your deck cargo." He then gave the mannikin a little push, and it immediately foil over and lay flat. All parties in the court-room _ enjoyed the captain's little demonstration, and Mr. Hoslriue, K.C., asked whether the Court would Eke to have the apparatus put in as an exhibit. Mr. • Justice Chapman (smiling): It might be as well in the event of the case going to the Privy Council. (Laughter.)

A batch of sixteen recruits who have just completed their term of probation at the Police Training Depot were sworn-in as constables yesterday. The men are being drafted to various stations throughout New Zealand.

Opium ; and smoking utensils used in conjunction with the drug, rewarded a police raid on a Chinese laundry in Ghuznee Street at noon yesterday. The raiders were Sergeant Rutledge, and Constables M'Kelvie and Doyle. A Chinaman was'arrested on the premises, and will be. charged at the Magistrate's Court this morning with having opium in his possession in a form suitable for smoking. .

Why should a man keep sober? The question was given a rather • novel answer yesterday, not by a temperance, advocate, but by a witness in the Supreme Court. Cross-examining counsel was endeavouring to shake the witness in his evidence, and asked: "How. many drinks did yon have that day?" "I had. a few," replied the witness, a good-humoured Scotchman, "but I was no drunker than I am now. Or how could I have s remembered all that happened ?" Counsel said: ' 'rhrt some men remember a great many things when they are drunk." "Aid why," the witness further interrogated, greatly to the amusement of the Court, "why should a man keep sober, if he can remember just, as well when he is drunk?" ■

Sentence will be passed on William Patrick, MTDermott, alias Arthur Threlfo, in the Supreme Court this morning. MDermott was found guilty on Tuesday, upon numerous charges of forgery and false pretences, and he also pleaded guilty to others. The Court .will, also hear this morning the • case of Henry Smith, who is charged _ with theft and vagrancy. The new trial of the Rutland Hotel arson case has been definitely fixed to commence on Monday morning. ' ;

Considerable dissatisfaction with the •present system of tramway conpons was' expressed at the annnal meeting of the Brooklyn Municipal .Electors' Association 'last night. Mr. Gellert complained of the inconvenient arrangements for buying tramway concession' coupons. He urged that they should be sold by the conductors to passengers tendering the exact money, as the conductors would not then' be hindered. Dr. Couzens suggested there should be no coupons at all. . The poorest people, who should receive the most consideration, could often not afford to pay Is. 6d. for a coupon. If lid. was a proper fare between Brooklyn and the city, that should be the face without coupons. He moved an amendment to that effect, but it lapsed for want of a seconder. Several speaKers urged' that the coupons should , be transferable. Finally, it.. was. Tesolved: "That the City Council be asked to issue on the cars, provided the proper fare is tendered, and to make the coupons transferable to the extent j of allowing more than one clip to be takon from one coupon on the same car and trip."