VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1921, Page 1

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

TELEGRAMS.

[by telegraph—PEß press association

SUPREME COURT,

OAMARU, February

The first Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court in Oamaru for some years was opened to-day before Mr Justice Sim- Two youths, Arthur Ryder and Leslie Herbert, seamen, who pleaded guilty to wilfully setting Fro to an unoccupied cottage, wore convicted and released oil probation for three years, and were ordered to make reparation at the rate of 15s. and 10s. per week resjioetivelyr Louisa Manley, single, aged 25 years pleaded guilty to breaking and entering the residence of Thomas Watson and stealing goods valued at. £43 IPs Id. Sentence was deferred, pending the bearing of other charges. Accused was further charged with breaking and entering the bouse of Frank Vern ill and stealing goods valued at £ll Os 6d. He pleaded not guilty, and it was submitted by the defence that the articles were given by Vernall ns presents.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Rew McCabe pleaded guilty to an indecent assult on a girl of twelve years, lie was ordered to be detained for reformatory treatment for a period not ex•eeding fire years.

AN IMPORTANT CASE. TIMARU, Februnrj 2

Stipendiary Magistrate Mosley today dealt with a ease (said to be the first in the Dominion) under Hie Rent Fixing Act of last session. The ‘eu.nit of the house was paying 20s per week and the owner asked power to increase the rent. The Magistrate found that the capital value was £IOOO and t'c owner was entitled to 7 per cent on that, plus £.20 a year for rates, i,i.,es and insurance, a tote of COO per .oar.

THE RAILWAY DISPUTE WELLINGTON, February 2

Regarding the railway dispute, Hie Prime Minister to-day said that tli • de vision on the matter by the Wages Board was nearing a conclusion, but be was not sure whether he would be in a position to make an announe.'iiie it this week in regard to the seH!ou<e,iPICTURE FILMS. NOTIFICATION OF RESTRK TIOXX. WELLINGTON. This Day. The Minister of Internal Affairs has notified cinema operators and agencies that, no film or portion thereof in which thieving, murder, robbery or suicide is uule a feature, will be passed for circulation in New Zealand. This will take ■fleet. from-May Ist next. The film businesses here regard this ns a serious

blow. They point out il will prevent j Hi>- dramaiisalinn of many great nov- > Is. Thousands of books, dealing with sin li subjects will be sold while pictures in which punishment for crime is meted out, are to be barred. One exhibitor -aid if the restriction was in the interests of children they won’t want them, and would sooner set* the law against any children under sixteen attending.

A AIAI ,< 1A M A 'ITON F A VOURKI). HAMILTON, February 3 At a largely attended meeting of railwaymen at Frank ton a resolution was carried that the meeting favours ’h° federation of the three railway Socic'y's the Railway Officers Institute. KtigitDrivers and Cleaners Association, and Amalgamated society of railway servants. RACING ASSOCIATION PALMERSTON N., February “ At a meeting of racehorse owners and trainers last evening, it was doc : h'd to form a North Island race horse owners and trainers Association.