TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1919, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPVEIGHT.]

ILLEGAL OPERATION CASE

NELSON, September 25

At the Supreme Court to-day, before Justice Stringer, Emma Caroline Fletcher, in whose cases juries had disagreed at the last sessions was again placed on trial on a charge of unlawfully using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage. The Jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The Judge recommended the Crown to enter nolle prosecui on the murder charge, and adjourned the trial to the next sitting, prisoner being meanwhile liberated on bail.

PA'HIATUA, This Day

Mr G. H. Smith, M.P., has announced he is not standing again for Palliatua seat. The only candidate so far is Mr R. B. Ross of Parangatua.

SPLENDID VALOUR,

AUCKLAND, Sept. 24

A striking tribute to the splendid valour and leadership of the late Lieut Commander Sanders, ACC., D. 5.0., was paid to-day by Admiral Jellicoe, in unveiling a memorial to Lieut.-Com-mainder Sanders in the Takapuna school. Three Victoria Cross winners were present at the ceremony—Lieut. Bassett, Lieut. Judson, and Private J. Crichton.

Admiral Jellicoe said Lieut.-Com-mander Sanders was promoted to his rank within twelve months of joining the service, and this, as far as he was aware, was almost a record. He detailed the last gallant fight made by Lieut.-Commander Sanders’s ship when she was torpedoed out of range. That, said the Admiral, was the end of as gallant a craft and ns gallant a captain and crew as ever sailed the seas.

A SUSPICIOUS ACCIDENT,

AUCKLAND, This Day

William AA’a.ugh, aged sixty, married, was found unconscious last night under Parnell railway bridge in a pool of blood with a severe wound on the forehead. His purse was empty. He is in hospital and has partially regained consciousness. The circumstances have aroused suspicion of foul play.

MINING BILL.

WELLINGTON, September 24

The Mining Act Amendment Bill proposes to extend the power of the Government to make advances to persons and companies for the development of mining. The purposes for which loans may be made are extended to include the following: (1) Quarrying of coal mining operations including the purchase of plant, construction of roads, railway lines, or other means of access, and all other in cidental matters.

(2) The extraction, rectification, storage, and transport of oil derivable or derived from swamp or other land. (3) The erection, construction or repair of dwellings by tho owners of any coal mine for the use of employees.

Applications for loans are to he referred to a Board which the Minister of Mines is empowered to appoint. The Government's authority to borrow for the development of mining is increased to £50,000 per annum, and tho amount that may be granted by way of loan to any one applicant is increased to £20,000.

The Bill provides that prospecting and boring for mineral oil or natural gas shall not be conducted except under license issued by the Minister. Ihe conditions of the license will be defined bv regulations J The Bill propises various amendments designed to secure increased safety in mines, and gives the Minister increased authority in dealing with water-races, used for mining purposes.

Provision is made for the protection of the surface of agricultural and pastoral lands threatened by mining operations.

TIMBER OUTPUT. GREYMOUTH, This Day. I The timber industry, after being thwarted for some time owing to lack of shipping received a fillip this week. Five vessels were at the wharf this week to load over three million super feet for Australian and New Zealand ports.