TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1920, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.--COPYRIGHT.] A PERJURY CHARGE. PALMERSTON N., Nov .12. The trial has commenced of Frederick Spencer Easton of Foxton, on a charge of perjury arising out of evidence given bv him in rt civil case heard at Foxton, when ht, claimed £2OO on a cheque given by Wright, a horse trainer, for the purchase of the racehorse Steven in 1911 from Fasten, the cheque not having been presented till January last, rvhen it was returned from the bank as a “stale” cheque. Mr Macassey, Crown Prosecutor of Wellington in his opening address said the accused was a wealthy farmer, and a successful racehorse owner. There were five counts in the indictment, but in reality there were two important points to consider, one whether the state monts were uttered, two whether, if ut_ tered, they were false and intended to mislead the Magistrate. Tho case is proceeding. OBITUARY, WELLINGTON, Nov, 12. Obituary—Colonel Porter, a veteran of the Maori war. He took a leading part in the campaigns against Te Kooti. He caught a chill recently and developed pneumonia. GISBORNE 1 WHARF TROUBLE. GISBORNE, Nov. 12. At a meeting of the Shipowners Committee, a further letter was received from the Secretary of the Watersiders, stating that the men were not satisfied with the information received, which they contended was sidetracking a direct answer. They made the offer that the four men concernd in the dispute were prepared to go back on the Fairburn, together with two other members of the Union and in the event of this decision going against them, the union pledged itself to refund the money paid to the additional men. The Shipowners Committee replied, declining the offer, and calling the Union’s attention to Clause 45 of the agreement, to which both parties are hound, the essence of the agrement, being that work shall proceed in the customary manner, and shall not on any account whatsoever be impeded. They repeat their intimation that the men on the Fairburn must resume work and the matter he referred to the Disputes Committee. The Karamu which was coming to Gisborne with coal, that was urgently needed, will discharge the Gisborne coal at Napier. The Mararoa’s cargo from Auckland had been untouched and will be taken back to-morrow. Several horses for the Takapuna meeting are unable to proceed. Coal, sugar and benzine are in short supply. The Gisborne gas supply is expected to peter out on Sunday morning. A MISSING MAN. TAUMARANUI, Nov. 12. An old man, Frederick Edwin Bedford, missing since Wednesday; for the past week had been staying with Jensen senr., at Taumaranui, and has a wife in Hamilton visiting a daughter. The missing man was seen on Wednesday evening ,making along the railway line in the direction of Taringaniutu. As this is near Ongarue river, 'the police surmise the old man has fallen in. Search parties are out, but so far there is no trace. fatal gupTaccident. TIMARU, November 11. A telephone message from Fairlie reports that a settler at Sherwood Downs James Calder, a married man with a small family was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun in getting through a fence' to-day.

DEARER GAS. WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. j The price of gas in Wellington has been further increased by od per 1000 cubic feet, making the new price 8s 9d The latest increase follows el° so 011 a report of the increase of lOd per 1000 ft. made in August last. WHITE SUGAR AGAIN. WELLINGTON November 12. The Board of Trade states that the I need of placing raw sugar on the market for domestic use lias ceased. By next steamefr from Auckland which should arrive about November i 19th., white sugar will be available for Wellington and other districts. The ’ supplies of white sugar are being increased to meet requirements of the jam season. ; SOLDIERS DEPENDANTS. i WELLINGTON, November 12. ' The. Executive of thu Wellington Returned Soldiers Association has passed the -following resolution, unanimously; “That this Executive views with surprise andjAvith indignation the totally inadequate provision made in the matter of increased pensions for dependants of the fallen soldiers. It regards the attitude of the Government as one of ingratitude, and the statement of be Prime Minister that the country could not afford more than £50,000 to provide for thbse who are suffering want through the loss of their wage earners in the Great War, as one unworthy of the country he (the Premier) represents), particularly in view of the fact that he recently sanctioned the £600,000 bonus to the butter producers This Association calls for the members of Parliament and the public generally tt see that common justice is done ft these needy people.”

LATE BOXING. WANGANUI, Nov. 12. Jantics.se (Australia) and Harry Gunn (Tima.ru), fought a fifteen-round draw at Wanganui last night. The contest which was for a purse of £2OO, was a fine one, being fast and clean throughout. ■ FINANCIAL POSITION. AUCKLAND, Nov. 13. Mr Beddoo ,Canadian Trade Commissioner brought under Mr Massey’s notice unofficial information that Canadian banks had notified customers, that New Zealand financial affairs were not in a very good condition and asked for bank credits instead of shipping against documents. Mr Massey authorised the following to bo cabled to the Canadian Govern-

ment:—“Financial affairs of New Zea- , land wero never in sounder condition than at tho present time. Trade is good, money is plentiful and tho eoun-. try is 'prosperous.” A BUSH TRAGEDY. j AUCKLAND, Nov. 11. | A tragedy occurred in the bush near j Ramarama on November 4th., which was only discovered yesterday. On tho date mentioned George Bedelph, a single man aged 39 and a returned main body man, arrived at Ramarama store, and secured three or four days’ supplies, as was his custom. Yesterday tho storekeeper became anxious as Bedelph had not, called for further food. He there,''me went out to the man’B tent some miles away. On ; tho chopping block near the tent ho ] found a human leg at a ,spot where Be- . delph had been splitting posts. Mak- I ing further investigations he found Bedelph had crawled half a mile for assistance, and then overcome by. weakness had laid down, placed his hat over his face and died. At the inquest a verdict was returned that deceased hied < to death, through accidentally severing his foot.