TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1920, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

[PEB PUEHS ASSOOI^nd^. —COFVBIGST.)

APPOINTMENT DECLINED. DUNEIHN, Nqv 20

The Registrar of Otago University Inis been advised by cable that Hr Mills of Melbourne is unable to accept the Chair of Economics.

A CIVIC \yELCOME. ' ' DUNEDIN, Nov. 29

Sir Thomas MacKenzie had a civic reception, and the attendance was generally representative of the province qnd City.

ALLEGED OPIUM SMUGGLING. CHRISTCHURCH, November 29. At the Magistrate’s Court, Lyttelton, before Mr McCarthy, S.M. Usui Mpichi, Chief Steward of the Japanese steamer Hakushiku Maru was charged that he did import into New Zealand opium in foym suitable for smelting, contrary to section 2 pf the Opium Act. Information : was laid by TjSx W. J. Wratt, Collector of C|ustonis, Christchurch. The ya;se for the prosecution was that behind a loose board iu the cupboard of accused’s cab.in was found four tins labelled “Selected best fruits” but which in reality contained opium in form suitable for smoking.

For the defence the purser and Captain deposed that accused joined the ship in d»P a B prior to vessel sailing. His predecessor had been sjuspected of smuggling at Seattle and Portland (Oregon). "® s admonisbed and along with the ship’s carpenter, deserted the, ship at Shanghai leaving a|l their clothing am] effects and forfeiting their wages. Accused denied all knowledge of the presence of the opium. The Magistrate held that accused had completely answered the charge against him and dismissed the information. A further charge of being in possession « f dutiable goods was also dismissed.

ATTEMPTED BRIBE.

PAIAfERSTON N., Nov. 29.

Thomas Martin, who is described as a labourer, was arrested in Palmerston and brought before the Magistrate, Mr, Stout on a charge that on or about 9th. of November he attempted to influence by a bribe a juryman named Angus Dluncan Campbell in his conduct as such juryman in the case of the King v. F. S. Easton. - .

In requesting a remand, Detective Q'uirkc, said that accused had been arrested only a few minutes prior to bis being brought before Court and there would be two other similar charges preferred against him.

A remand was granted for one week'. Bail was allowed,, self £2OO, and two sureties of £IOO each.

More charges have since been laid against Martin allegedly having attempted to bribe Charles Win. Fuller, Edward Gilshanon, and John Rosanowski, :

PURE FOODS ACTS

PALMERSTON N., Nov. 29

Goldingham and Beckett, Ltd., merchants, were charged in the Magistrate’s Court to-day with an allleged breach of the, Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908. The charges arose out of a sale of Libby’s evaporated cream. When the manufacture of this was first introduced into New Zealand, the Health Department analyst stated that it was not cream, but milk, and it was released on condition that Smith and Co., of Auckland, Libby’s agent, amended the label to read “milk.” It was later found, on analysis, that the manufacture contained artificial colouring. Expert evidence proved that tbp colour had been added through sterilizing at a high temperature. The defence also showed that Goldingham and Bepkett had purchased supplies from Libby’s direct, and not through Smith and Co., and therefore knew nothing of the arrangement for an amended label. The Magistrate dismissed- both charges,

ANTI-BETTING LAW. WELLINGTON, Nov. 29. Tlie Minister of Justice, who is putting into operation the provisions of the Gaming Act against bookmakers, lias made it clear tliat any member of the police force betting with bookmakers will be dismissed, regardless of his rank. The- law, he says, snakes bpokniaking an unlawful occupation punishable by a fine of £SOO, or imprisonment for two years, and it provides substantial penalties for the offence betting with bookmakers. Any police officer making a bet will b e treated as guilty of an offence against the laws he is- sworn to uphold. Tlie sole charge brought against persons alleged to he bookmakers, under the new Act, up to the present is one against a Christcurch man, who has elected to be tried by a jury. This case, which is to he heard in Christchurch shortly, will be in some respects a test ease, since it will provide an opportunity for legal argument on the clauses of the Act.

SHORTAGE OF MONEY. CHRISTCHURCH, November 29. The reluctance of the investing public to take up the City Council of per cent, debentures at par is likely tp cause v.ery serious embarrassment shortly in the matter of carrying out, various authorised works. The value -of the unsold debentures is £1.25,430. It was pointed out at to-night’s meet-, ing of the City Council that unless the position were faced there would probably come down a report that thp number of men employed should 'be reduced. The Council was already up to the hilt in the matter of expenditure and must call a halt. At the rate things were going, the ratepayers woluld have ,to face something like a sixty per cent increase in rates next year.