TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1920, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[ren pbess association —copyright.] A FOOTBALL ACCIDENT. AUCKLAND, July 2(5. In a foothall match on Saturday, Rodgers, an English half-hack had his left leg broken below the knee,

an ELECTION ECHO. PAffITUA, July 22. An interesting case, which was an echo of the general election campaign, was heard before Mr Free, S.M., this morning, when Colin MacDonald, editor and publisher of the Pnlliatua Herald,” was charged upon the information of Robert Reatson Ross, Liberal candidate at the election, that on December 11th, 1919, he published in the “ Rabin* tun Herald ” ail untrue statement defamatory of Ross, calculated to influence the votes of the electors, as follows:—“ The plain facts of the case are that when Mr Ross first decided to contest the seat he wrote to the '‘Herald” announcing the fact, and adding that this tipie he was standing as an Independent.” The case centred round the alleged letter which Ross wrote to the “Herald,” and which had since been lost, 'ijaeDomikt prpduced a witness whq had read the letter, and who remembered the' words, !* this t ime as an Independent.” His Worship dismissed the informat on, with casts against Ross. The charge was brought under Section 158 of the Legislature Act. '

A CHARGE WITHDRAWN, WELLINGTON, July 22. A charge had been laid against the Featlierson Dairy Company of attempting to charge the city an unreasonably high price for milk, Is (id per gallon, Counsel said the city was able to arrange with farmers at a rate which represented Is 5d landed in the city, -but the Featlierson suppliers demanded Is Gd at the factory. The council offered Is 3d, but suppliers-refused uud tbere had been a serious shortage for some months. The information'had been laid with the consent of the Hoard of Trade, hut the latter had settled upon Is sd, jn consequence of .next year’s prices being fixed at a lijgher rate. If was felt that u<> good would be served by tiuw going on with the proceedings., and lie asked to have the information withdrawn. “ I do not think this is a case in which I should consent to withdrawal,” said the Magistrate, “ for if there was a breach of the law it should lie followed > up. The fact that the parties have come to an agreement with reference to the prices to be paid for future supplies of milk does not spou to me sufficient reason for my consenting to the Withdrawing of a criminal prosecution, hut if you olfer no evidence in support of the charge I shall strike out the ease.” This was done with costs to the coni: pany.

A NEW DEPARTMENT. * CHRISTCHURCH, July 26. The Secretary of Industries and Commerce from the Department of Agriculture and the establishment of a Department of Industries and Commerce lias been followod by tho allotment of tho new portfolio to Hon E. P. Lee. Tho Board of Trade, of which Mr Leo is President and Mr IV. G. McDonald Chairman, has been incorporated with tUrtr Beparfment. Mr J .W. Collins Secretary of tho Board of Trade has been appointed Secretary of the nfpv Department,