NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2180, 19 June 1914, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(By ToleffraDb.—Press Association.) TWO HUSKY ONES THE CRIMINAL AND CONSTABLE. Auckland, June 18. .After having successfully operated tHreo burglaries in Auckland during the Christmas holidays, an Australian criminal named Albert Gordon Smith, alias John; Iloss, bolted south, to be ingloriously tripped ',up when he tried a simple theft at Culvcrden. Smith, who had been declared an habitual criminal in Australia, is a particularly athletic-looking, rod-headed individual, and, at tho time of his arrest was carrying a revolver. In Constable Golclie, of Culvcrden, however, ho met. a still more husky personality, who save him no chance for a strong-arm display. Smith had on him, at tho time of his arrest, various articles of jewellery that seemed to connect him with the Auckland burglaries, and, after having been sentenced for theft down south, ho was sent up hero to stand trial for the burglaries. He carno before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M.. this morning, and was charged that lit broko and 'entered the premises of F. It. Bailey on December 25, and stoio jewellery valued at £21' 165.; that on December 2G he entered tho premises ql W. Boberts, and stole .£6 Bs. Gd., and jewellery, valued at £4 10s.; and that, on December 29, he entered tho premises of F. Maxwell, and stole goods ra'l'.ied at £8.

Smith pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

CHANCES ASKED. Invercarglll, Juno 18. A representative meeting of Methodist ministers of the Southland district passed resolutions as follows:—(1) "That ' this meeting, representing over fifty congregations in Southland, requests a referendum of tho people of the Doiniuion, to decide the question of Bible-touching in State schools"; (2) "That it enters an emphatic protest against any proposal to •increase the number of fotalisator permits as inimical to tho best interests of the people" ; (3) "That it earnestly urges on the Government tho necessity of reducing, or. altogether removing the present undemocratic handicap up'on No-License reform." ; . COUNTRY HOTEL WORK. Hamilton, June 18. ■_ Mr. Harle Giles presided at the sitting of tho Conciliation Council to hear the country hotejs dispute. A full settlement was reached. Men in tho lower grades will receive Is. 6d. a week moro than at present. The employers also granted a generous preference clause and a six-day week. SOUTHERN MAORI SEAT. Blenheim, June 18. In.' response to a largely-signed requisition from Various tribes in Marlborough, Mr. Alfred Rore has consented to contest,the Southern Maori seat at the general- election. Tho Natives -have granted Mr. Rore tho privilege of taking what stand he chooses regarding parties in tho House, and he has not yet stated which party lie will support. ITEMS FROM WOODVILLE. . Wooclville, June 18. A committee meeting of the Reform Party was held here this afternoon. Mr. Witherby, organiser, was also present. Arrangements were made for properly working bofqr : a, the GeneraLElcctioii,.- i,-.,.|,.'»'.-, ' ••' ■• <'- At the Court to?day four Territorials were,.niied..from ; 2os. to £1 105... and costs for ; failing to; attend' -drill,• Two persons were fined ss. and costs, and another 10s. and costs for playing cards in Kumerda Hotel- after hours. Tho licensco was fined 20s. and 17s. costs for permitting gambling on licensed premises. MR. T. Y. SEDDON, M.P. Hokltlka, June 18.' Mr. T. Y. Seddon, M.P., delivered a pre-sessional address here to-night, tho Mayor presiding. The meeting was, largely : attended, and the speaker received a good hearing. The speech was pri'the sanio lines as those delivered in various' parts of tho Dominion by the "flying squadron."/'At the conclusion of tho address a vo£c oj thanks was accorded Mr. Seddoii, and a vote of thanks and confidence in Sir Joseph Ward and the Liberal Party was carried.

TiFVIARU ART DISPLAY. fimaru, Juno 18. The Mayor (Mr. Guinness) this afternoon formally opened the temporary Art Gallery in the largo spare room of tho public library. The numerous collection now on .view was obtained by gilts to tho borough, purchases by tho .Art Society, and permanent loans. Mr. Craigie, Jj.i'., president of the society, was the chief speaker, and, to-dav, lis added gifts of a large painting, '"The Mother,!' which has been exhibited in Wellington, and a portrait "Memories." SOUTHLAND'S INTERESTS. , Invercargill, Juno 18. The Southland League, which is now in course of formation, aud wliich has for its object the advancement of the, interests of tho district, is meeting with enthusiastic support. At- a large and representative meeting to-night speeches explaining the aims and objects of tho league, and strongly advocating its establishment, werd delivered by tho president (Mr. \V. D. Hunt), Sir Joseph Ward (member for Awarua), Mr. J. A. Hanan (member for Invercargill), and Messrs. A. F. Hawke, J. E. Watson, W. G. Mohatfey, and.C. S. Longuot. A motion in favour of tho establishment of an Invorcargill branch of the leaguo was carried unanimously. POLITICAL ADDRESS. Chrlstchurch, June -17. Mr. G. W. Russell, member for Avon, addressed a meeting of electors tonight. Regarding the naval policy, ho said the Opposition had no desire to make it a party issue, but it was becoming one in consequence of the attitude taken up by the Prime Minister and tho Minister of Defence .Tho Liberal Party were determined that Parliament should have control over the Public Service, oven if Ministers did not have control over the different services. He challenged the Minister of Justice to disprove his allegations re the Public Trust report. Mr. Russell was accorded a voto of thanks. WAR VETERANS AND PENSIONS. Thames, June 17. A deputation of veterans waited on tho Hon. F. M. B. Fishor to-day, asking that military pensions be granted to veterans who served in i\m Maori war,, but were not under fire. They contended that their enrolment and actions in quelling; threatened outbreaks wero sufficient to justify the granting of compensation. Tho Minister sympathised with the request, and promised to look into th/j question. SERIOUS CHARGE FAILS. Nolson, June 17. The Supremo Court session opened to-day before Mr. Justice Hosking, who was welcomed by the Bar. The only criminal case was a charge of manslaughter against Robert Wallace, farmer, of Spring Grove, who appeared on a. charge of causing the death of Tom Newth on April 13. 1014, by driving a vehicle on the public road at Spring Grove at night without a light, visible to any person approaching.' Accused was acquitted.