TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1920, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

I U‘ISU rai.HM AHHOC’* A'jioN . — COC Y RIGHT. ( HINDOOS ARRIVE. AUCKLAND, May 21. Twenty four Hindoos arrived by the Atua from (Fiji. All passed the education test.

A SENSATIONAL TRIAL. WELLINGTON, May 19. “Not 'Guilty’' was the verdict returned by the jury at the Supreme Court yesterday in connection with a charge j brought against George Herbert Winder that, on April 23rd at Wellington, he did, with intent to extort a sum of money, accuse, or threaten to accuse one Clifford Peel of having committed an indecent assault. Addressing the jury; Mr Grey, for the defence said that all lthe evidence.showed that the episode was the affair of a ver v foolish youth and a more. or .ess ■ unsophisticated girl. He submitted that there had been no threat or attempt to extort money by Winder. Mr Macassey pointed out that it mattered not whether Winder tried to extort money from the girl or for himself or■for both. If lie attempted to ! extort by threat an offence had bee 1 committed, and that even though Peel hnd outraged the girl. Fortunately there was iio suggestion of such a thing in connection with any parties to the case. Comment had been made of the fact that Peel had not approached Mr Winder senr., but he would point out that Peel had taken the only course 'open to him. He did not know who the accused was, and further, lie was. acting under instructions from the police; f i .

pis Honor, after traversing the evidence, directed the jury that they had to decide whether Winder had accused or threatened to accuse Peel of an offence, and, if so, if such action had been taken with intent to extort money. If they were not satisfied to that end then the accused was entitled to an acquittal. After forty-three minutes’ deliberation, the jur v returned with a verdict of “not guilty”.

AUCKLAND RETAILERS. AUCKLAND, May 21

The master butchers announce a reduction in the price of meat as from Monday next, May 24th. The reduction will amount to id per lb. all round, and Id per lb. in one or two lines.

PUBLIC SERVANT RETIRES. ' , WELLINGTON, This Day. ' Mr T. S. Ronaldson, Assistant Public Trustee, has retired. He joined the office in 1883. He was well-known in athletic circles.

WANGANUI MAYOR RESIGNS WANGANUI, May 21,

0. (E. Mackay, who is at present on remand on a charge of attempted murder of Walter Darcy Cresswell, lias tendered his resignation of the position of Mayor, which he had held for over 13 years. ' , >

C. CANN DEFEATS W. OLIVER. WANGANUI, May 21. The contest for tlie professional bantam weight championship, between W. Oliver (Hawcr), and C. Cann (Waniganui) holder of the title,' took place to-night Cann retained the championship, the referee stopping the contest in the sixth round

A RAGING G ALE. MASTERTON, This Day. Mastorton was visited last night- by a gale of exceptional violence, the wind reaching the force of a hurricane at times. Considerable damage was done to outbuildings, fences and chimneys Big trees were uprooted. Tlie gale is still raging.