TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS

. PKBUS ASSOCIATION. —COPYUIGHT.; APPLICATION FOR RELEASE. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug 7. Efforts are being made to secure the release from prison of Arthur John Wilson Roberts, who on October 18th, 1909, at the Silver Grid restaurant, Christchurch, murdered a waitress employed there. W. J. Hunter, counsel for Roberts, at the trial, lias applied to the Prison Board to consider the question of releasing him, and lias received a reply that the case will come before the Board probably in November.

FATHER SENTENCED TO DEATH DUNEDIN, Aug. 0. John Sharp, a farmer, aged 72, charged at the Supreme Court to-day with having, at Rongahere, on Alay 15th, murdered his daughter, Sophia McLean Sharp aged seven, by beating her over the head with a stick, occupied most of the day, and the jury were absent about five hours before they returned with a verdict of guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy. Mr Justice Sim, in pronouncing the death sentence. ..said the jury had. arrived at the only decision they could. The recommendation tii mercy would be forwarded to the Executive.

GERMAN WARSHIPS SURRENDER LONDON, August 5. The battle-cruiser Hood escorted the German battleships Westfalen and Heli_ goland and twelve destroyers, into llosj’tli, where they were surrendered. [The Heligoland is a. battleship of 22,440 tons displacement, armed with twelve 12in., and fourteen 5.9 in., and six small guns, and six torpedo tubes. She was built at Kiel in 1909-11, at a cost of £2,304,300. The Westfalen, a. battleship of 18,600 tons, armed with twelve llin. twelve 5.9 in. and sixteen 3.4 in. guns, and six torpedo tubes, was built at Bremen in 1908-09, at a cost of £1,825,000.]

A BETTING CARD. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 5. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day James M’Leod was charged with printing a document of one P. J. Flanagan, as to betting on the Connolly and Borough Handicaps at the Wanganui races in May. In dismissing the case, Mr Bailey, S.M., said it was apparently no offence to print a card unless it contained a notification by or on behalf of some person. In this case the card contained nothing to identify the person issuing it.

GERMAN INTERNEES. AUCKLAND, August 5,

Five German families interned in the Auckland district during the war are at present waiting for passages in order that they may return to Germany. These people are destitute, and Colonel Potter, officer commanding the district, lias made arrangements for them to occupy the convalescent home formerly used by invalided returned soldiers. Colonel Potter stated that, in view of the fact that the Germans were without means, and as the home was idle, he had no alternative but to provide them with food and shelter until they could secure passages back to Germany. In his opinion no decent, country would allow women and children to starve; hence his action. Passages for two of the families have been arranged for tlie end of the month, and the remainder will he got away at the first- opportunity.