TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1920, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

f PHU rn ESS ASSOCIATION.- COPYRIGHT-]

FIRE AT FOXTON

FOXTON, This Day

Shortly after 4 o’clock this morning the Racing Club’s office and contents in the main street, were totally destroyed by fire. The conflagration spread to the “ Herald” newspaper office adjoining, upon which the newlyformed Brigade, assisted by a chemical engine, concentrated and saved. Fortunately there was no wind, otherwise they could not have prevented the destruction of the “Herald” and adjoining premises. The cause of the outbreak is a mystery. Insurances and damages are not yet ascertained.

HABOUR AT GISBORNE. GISBORNE, This Day

William Ferguson, Cyrus Williams, and Blair Mason, Harbour engineers, who have been appointed a commission of experts to investigate the harbour position at Gisborne and formulate plans for the harbour, conferred with the Harbour Board to-day, and wore „i ve n a free hand to make the fullest Fnqiiiries and in regard to their recommendations. The Commission is now taking evidence.

UNUSUAL WILL CASE. MASTERTON, This Day. A somewhat unusual case was hea-'d by the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court yesterday when Mrs W. L. Falco- ' ner sought for an increase in a legacy j left her under the will of her late husband. The application was based l on the Family Protection Act * 9 ' * The net value of the estate was £',° - 'mid the income £250. Mrs Falconer ■ was to be paid £2 per week from ' the estate. The son was prepared that the mother’s allowances be increased from £lO4 to £2OO per annum. • Mrs Falconer at present was in receipt ol the whole of the income from, the estate, but upon William Clarence Fa.coner attaining tlie age of twenty-one years in three years time, her income Would be only £lO4 per annum His Honour said it was proMemaiica! as to what was going to happen m land values between now and Mare) ,18th., 1923, when young Falconer canm of age. After discussion, His I-Iono"r said "lie would adjourn the case for three years. This, said his Honor, w"s the longest adjournment ho had e\." ordered, but if lie fixed an amoiui.t up on the present values, an injustice might be done to some members of the family, STRATFORD BYE-ELECTION. MR MASTERS OPENS CAMPAIGN STRATFORD, This Day. The Town Hall was packed last night when Mr Robert Masters addressed Hie electors, receiving an enthusiastic reception. A resolution was carried: That this meeting of Stratford electors express their regret that Mr Maste-s j was unseated by a mere technicality of election law; further, that we consider he won the seat fairly and hor»estlv, and pledge ourselves to confirm the result of the last poll and return Mr Masters to represent us in Parliament.

REFUSAL TO GIVE EVIDENCE. WELLINGTON. This Day. At the retrial at Wellington on February last of Hayne and Nevleon for alleged malpractice, the princioal Crown witness, Gladys Batchelor, refused to give evidence. This mornnig she was charged in the City Police Court, that on 15th September she per--1 mitted the use of an instrument. . Chief Detective Bishop said the accused was charged under the Crimes Act. On 6th October, her depositions were taken before which she was warned that the evidence she gave might he used against her. The Inspector of 1 olico, ’however, told her that if she spoke ' the truth she would not he prosoI cuted on account of anything she said. | She then made the statement and later j gave evidence at trial when the Jury disagreed. On 18th November at the retrial, she gave evidence reluctantly, 1 and the result was again a disagreo--1 ment and the venue was shifted to Wellington and on 22nd February sbo ! refused to give any evidence, j On account of the stand she took, the ; police took these proceedings. The ' case is proceeding.