TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1918, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

— [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] HIMITANGI BREAKS UP. | WELLINGTON, August 8. : A wireless message received from the Chathaifis states that the Himitangi has broken up. TUTANEKAI TO RELIEVE, WELLINGTON, August 6. Tlie manager of the Chatham Islands Fishing Company has arranged with the .Minister of Marine to send the Government steamer Tutnnekai to the Islands to bring the crew of the wrecked steamer Himitangi back to their homes. It is not yet known when the Tutnnekai will leave Wellington. MAGISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS WELLINGTON, August 4. The Minister of Justice has announced the following magisterial changes:— Mr Povnter, when released from the Military Service oard duty, will proceed to the Auckland snrburban district, and Mr. Page will go to Palmerston North, -Mr Kettrick will go from Palmerston North to Rotorua, and Mr. Hunt will go to the Dargarville and Pukekohe district. Mr. J. E. Wilson has been appointed second magistrate at Auckland temporarily, and Mr. Frazer will continue as second magistrate at Wellington. ;

I # ACQUITTED. j DUEDIN, August 7. ! In tho Supremo Court to-day, Ca'pj tain Stevens was acquitted on a charge | of stealing at Milton, £27 13s 7d., i belonging to tho Government. Accused ! was then charged with tho theft of £2O at Lawrence, £5 at Milton, and £2O at (loro, the, miney belonging to the Government. Accused was acquitted.

DROWNED AT SEA. WELLINGTON, August 6. John Burnett, aged thirty-sfcs, a sculleryman on the ferry steamer Mararoa while emptying rubbish last evening, during the trip from Lyttelton to Wellington, fell overboard and was drowned. A boat was lowered and an hour’s search made, but no trace of the man was found.

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. THOMSON ACQUITTED. CHRISTCHURCH August 8 A charge of manslaughter against James Charlies Thomson in connection with the death of Edward Bruce, who died as the result of a fall following on a blow, has commenced at the Supreme Court. Mr Alper.s in outlining the caso for the defence said that accused was a strong young man, 28 years or age, n slaughterman by trade and was marrietf and a father of five young children. Ho taught boxing as a means to augment his living and was held in high esteem by his follows. The accused was a' clean liver, and did not drink at all. Accused had been grossly insulted by the'deceased who to whom 1m had addressed a foul remark to him that was the cause of the blow which had quite unintentionally had the unfortunate termination. Accused had resented the remarks made by the deceased hut they were repeated more viciously, and he made a savage rush and Thomson, knowing his work, had delivered a “left hook,” which would in the ordinary way settle any argument without serious consequences. Thomson had made a mistake in going into the hotel, subsequently, hut he realised that lie was in a street row and had endeavoured to avoid the eon.seouenees. Accused bitterly resented the fatal termination.

The accused gave evidence on the lines of his Counsel’s address. He stated that the deceased man did not strike him because ho (witness) was perhaps too quick. The jury alter twenty minutes’ retirement returned a verdict of “Not Guilty.” Thomson was discharged.

SAFEGUARDING THE SOLDIERS. DUNEDIN, This Day.

Kate Troston, a bar-maid at the Crown Hotel was fined £3 for supplying liquor to soldiers under hospital treatment. This is the first prosecution of tho kind locally. Tho fine was small owing to the regulations being of a com parative recent date, and the defendant’s ignorance of them.

STRIKE OF WAITRESSES. WANGANUI ,August 6. Owing to new conditions being imposed on the staff of waitresses employed at Marlon Junction by the Government at the railway dining rooms, all the girls numbering 20, handed in a week’s notice to-day. It is alleged that the commissariat officer demands that the girls shall assist in laundry work, and this the staff object, as they claim that they were engaged as waitresses not laundryinaids. They also object to an interference with their usual weekly holiday. Tho girls maintain that they now work 34 hours per week. The matter is causing great interest at Marton Junction, in that they did not strike niicl thus cause the travelling public inconvenience. MILITARY SERVICE ACT. MAORIS MUST SERVE. WELLINGTON, This Day. The Maori Military Appeal Board, gave its reserved decision on the points raised claiming total exemption for Natives under tho Treaty of Wailangi. Hie Board, consisting of Judge McCormack and two Maori Collegians unanimously dismissed the appeal. Tim Chairman said Parliament, by the Military Service Act of 1916, declared that Natives of military age were liable to compulsory service. Whether there was any need of remedy was entireIv outside the functions of the Board.