NEW ZEALAND

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1709, 27 March 1906, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND

(Per Press Association.) Invercargill, last night.

John R. Roxburgh, aged 2G, clerk, single, employed by Broad, Hall and Co., hardware merchants, attempted <@uicide on Saturday evoning' , by shooting. He fired (four shots from a toyrevolver at his forehead, two pellets glancing off, and one becoming embedded. He is expected to recover. Roxburgh was in ill-health, and was leaving the firm’s employ. He was to have received a presentation the same

evening. Burglars broke into Price and Bulleid’s drapery shop between Saturday night and this morning by boring a piece out of the back door. They only got a small sum, asjjthe firm banked iate on Saturday. A child aged two years, son of Jas. Bennett, platelayer at Orepuki, was playing with a loaded revolver on Sunday afternoon. The weapon ex-* ploded, the charge entering the abdomen. The condition of the victim is critical.

Auckland, last night.

The body of a man has been found on the Northcote beach, and was identified as John Lundgreen, a seaman who had been staying at the Sailors’ Home.

The first cases brought under the early closing clauses of the Shops and Offices Act of 1904 were heard at the Police Court on Saturday, when A. J. S. Lamb and Walter Dawson, chemists, were charged with failing to close their shops in the evening at the hour fixed for closing of such shops. These charges were brought under section 21 of the Act, which provides that on a requisition of two thirds majority of any particular trade petitioning for the fixing of the closing hour, the local authority shall fix the hour accordingly. Lamb pleaded guilty, and Dawson, who did not appear, was adjudged guilty on the evidence of Mr LeCren, assistant inspector of factories. His Worship pointed out that defendants were each liable to a fine of £lO, but these being the first charges, he would not inflict a heavy fine. In future, however, he would inflict a very heavy fine indeed. It was not so much an offence against the public as against those chemists who complied with the law, an advantage thus being taken of them. In each case a fine of £1 and costs 28s was imposed.

Napier, last night. The following prisoners were dealt with in the Supreme Court to-day : Bert Carr, theft of a bicycle, twelve months’ imprisonment; Duncan McKay, false pretences, four months; Alfred Huxley, theft, four months; Te Ao Kati, theft of jewellery (a particularly bold crime), 12 months ; Tuahine ~\Vhakakoro, perjury, nine months; George Walter Dickenson, perjury, nine months. The hearing of a charge of defamatory libel, preferred by Macdonell, Inspector of Police, against A. A. George, printer and publisher of a small weekly publication, is now proceeding. The alleged libel was contained in an article in the Bulletin, reflecting on the methods of the police. The hearing is expected to last two days. A severe shock of earthquake, west to east, was experienced at 1.30 p.m. Dannevirke. laei night. A man named Albert Retzlaff, aged 49, a well-known contractor, died suddenly at Weber on Saturday. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of died from drinking an overdose of laudanum whilst suffering from the effects of drink. A prohibition order was made against deceased on Saturday morning. He then remarked that those concerned would be sorry for what they had done. He leaves a wife (an invalid) and eight children.

Wellington, last night. The Premier and Attorney-General left for the Chatham Islands by the Tutanekai on Saturday, and are expected back early next week. The visit is the first which any Cabinet Minister has made to that part of the colony.

The terms of the Commission of | Enquiry into J. J. Meikle’s case have § been made known to Meikle’s com- § nittee, who have written to the Pre- | nciier, entering a protest, as they •- consider the order of reference is such is would be likely to lead to injustice being done to Meikle. The committee states its suggestions have been ignored. Judges Edwards and Cooper have been appointed Commissioners. Blenheim, last night. The Wairau Hospital Board has received six tenders for the erection of a new hospital for Blenheim district. A locai tender of £11,950 has been accepted, subject to conditions that the work is not to be started for three ' months from date, and the Board n having the right to cancel the contract at the end of that period if not finan- a cially able to proceed. ° Hokitika, last night. The premises of Ernest Peake, a cabinetmaker, were partially destroyed n by fire at 9 o’clock this morning The 0 fire was caused by the accidental lighting of a match, which was on the floor of the kapoc room. The flames y spread very rapidly through the d machinery room, which was gutted. All the furniture in the showroom was removed. The paint and material in . the workshop was damaged by water r and fire. The insurance, £350 on the t building, plant, and Etoek, only par- c tially covers the loss, which exceeds the risk. Chrislchurcb, last night. J Trouble still continues among the i tramway men, and a large meeting of j motormen and conductors was held yesterday to consider the application of the merit and demerit system. The men complained that it practically puts them in the hands of the inspectors. While the system is theoretically a good one, it works out badly in practice. They also complain of the recent appointment of a man from the North to supervise the system. Some of the more ardent spirits urged an immediate strike, but the counsels of the more long-headed prevailed, and the Board will be approached on Thursday next by a substantial representative deputation. It is understood if no satisfaction is obtained the men will contemplate resigning in a body. 1 S i