NEWS IN BRIEF

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 196, 17 May 1944, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF

Charge Of Embracery

During the trial in the Supreme Court, Wellington, this week of a man for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice by approaching members of a jury panel, the Crown prosecutor. Air. W. 11. Cunningham, remarked that the offence used to be known in previous times as embracery. This neat description having fallen into disuse, possibly as a result of the rarity of the charge, there are now only phrases of several words to describe the offence. Fatal Aircraft Accident. Flying Officer Walter Robert De Alans, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, lost his life in an aircraft accident on the landing field of <i North Island air station yesterday. Flying Officer De Maus’ next-of-kin is his mother, Airs. C. De Alaus, 88 Grafton Road, Auckland. Sale of Swan Eggs.

A profit of £S9/16/4 on the sale of swan eggs collected from Lake Ellesmere was made’ last year by the North Canterbury Acclimatization Society. The total receipts set out in the financial statement presented at a meeting of the council were £lBl/10/11. The cost of collecting the eggs was £94/14/7.

Grey Hospital Overcrowded. “The whole hospital is largely overcrowded,” said the chairman in reply to a query at a meeting of the Grey Hospital Board. He added that there were beds in the corridors, and in what was supposed to be a sunporch there were 12 to I's beds. The hospital was working to capacity in all departments. . More Bicycle Lamp Batteries. Increased supnlies of bicycle lamp batteries are now becoming available to bicycle dealers, according to advice received by Mr. C. Bell, president of the North Canterbury Bicycle Traders’ Association. Air, Bell said it was not considered expedient at present to, remove the restrictions on permits but this would be done as soon as possible. Alleged Vivisection. Allegations that vivisection was being practised at an institution where medical students attended were made at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last week. It was decided to refer the matter to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the town concerned, and to do nothing further till its report had been received.

Electric Power in South Island. The urgent need for electric power development in the South Island was emphasized at the monthly meeting of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, Air. S. D. Macpherson, reporting on a recent meeting, which had been addressed by Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, said that a conference to consider electric power supply problems would be held soon in Christchurch. Students in Camp. Nearly 500 medical and dental students of the Otago University Medical Corps entered camp on Saturday for the annual course of military training, which is expected to -be completed in about three weeks. Students in their fifth and their final years went to an officer cadet training unit. First-year medical and dental students are accommodated at another camp.

New Species of Moa. “Pachyornis sorenseni” is the name bestowed on a moa skeleton found at Greenhills, near Invercargill, about three years ago by Mr. J. H. Sorensen, director of the Southland Museum, who is now serving overseas. The skeleton was sent to the director of the Dominion Museum, Wellington, Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, who found that it was a hitherto unknown species. He therefore incorporated the name of its discoverer in its Latin appellation. Assistance From Judge.

The right of an accused person not represented by counsel to have the assistance of the judge was affirmed by hts Honour Mr. Justice Northcroft, in the Supreme Court in Christchurch. An accused man. about to stand his trial, pointed out to his Honour that he was undefended and would like the assistance of the court. “You can be sure of that, replied his Honour. “It is part of my duty where a prisoner is undefended to give such assistance as I can. That assistance will be given.”

Long Voluntary Service. “No one in the town has given longer and better voluntary service." said the deputy-mayor of Petone, Cr. H. Green, at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council on Monday night, in proposing a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Cr. O. P. Brocklebank. The late councillor, said Cr. Green, had resided in. Petone for 50 years, had been a member of the council for 19 years, and had held several other local body positions. The council accepted an invitation to be present at a memorial service to be held at St. David’s Church, Petone, on May -1. Largest Building Jobs. The largest building jobs in Wellington for which permits were granted during the year ended March 31 were :—Wellington Hospital (two buildings), £luU.oop and £14,500; McCaskey (factory), Walter .Street, £46,000; Brownlees, Ltd. (factory), £10,5000; Levin and Co. (reinstatement), £8000; Love Construction Company, Waterloo Quay, £6900; Briscoe, E. W. Mills, Ltd., Jervois Quay (reinstatement) £5750; Co-operative Producers’ Freezing Company, Waterloo Quay, £5OOO.

Marvel of Coincidence. Mr. J. Aston, Wellington, tells of rather remarkable coincidences. On a steamer journey south; to visit his sori (iff the Cashmere Hills sanatorium after serving in the Pacific islands), he happened to sit next to an airman, conversation with whom led to the information that he had been the invalid’s closest companion during their service period in the islands. Mr. Aston told the airman that Mrs. Aston was on her way to Bangiora to attend the wedding of her niece to Mr. Joseph Harrison, a North Canterbury farmer. “Well.’ said the airman, “that’s remarkable—why, Joe Harrison is my brother!”

Abattoir Killings. The effect meat rationing was having on killings at the Christchurch city abattoir was mentioned by Councillor J. N. Clarke, chairman of the commitee. bn Monday evening. There had been a tremendous dropping off, he said. Councillor M. E. Lyons: "Rationing is not quite wholly responsible. Army enter into it.” The abattoir manager’s report showed that in April 911 cattle were slaughtered, compared with 1337 in April last year: killing of sheep dropped fr q!’? 8191 to 5390. nnd lamb killings from 3081 to 1958. Calves killed numbered 34b, compared with 460 in April last year. P.A.

Drawn From Hat The decision as to who was to be president of the Wellington School Committees and Educational Association for the current term was decided at the meeting of the association this week. Three names were originally balloted on. but the first ballot reduced the candidates to two, neither of whom had an absolute majority. A second ballot resulted in a tie between them, one vote being informal. After Mr. H. R. Searle had offered to withdraw his nomination, an offer which the meeting did not accept, his name and that of Mr. W. Sadd were placed m a hat and that of Mr. Searle was drawn. He was then declared duly elected.