TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS. OO [by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AN ACTION DISCONTINUED. TE RUffl, Alarch 15. Notice of discontinuance has been served on the defendants in the case in which Peter Along clerk of the Waitomo County claimed £IOOO damages from the proprietor of the King Country “Chronicle,” J. E. Hamill, for leaded comments regarding the purchase by Mora of a County farm. The withdrawal of the action by tho plaintiff is unconditional. A SERIOUS CHARGE. BLENHEIM, Alarch 15. Arthur James Bailey, charged with the crime of incest, came before the Alagistrato to-day. He pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. Tie was committed for trial. RAILWAY CROSSING FATALITY. FFILLING, Alarch 15. Feilding added one more to the list of railway crossing fatalities this Afternoon, widen oiiN, Farnsworth lost his life. Deceased was foreman of the local fire brigade and was hurrying on a motor cycle to a fire, when, not seeing the approaching New Plymouth train, he collided with it at it crossing, and was thrown some distance. He died in a few minutes.

BOARD OF TRADE INQUIRY

WELLINGTON, Alaireli 15

The Board of Trade is holding an inquiry into the question of the egg trade generally, at- Christchurch on th 0 22nd. of Alarch. Representations were made lately to the Government for a prohibition upon the importation of Asiatic eggs. The only opposition to such prohibition comes from the bakers pastry cooks and confectioners. The Board of Trade hits invited representatives of producers, importers and users of eggs to be present. Advantage will be taken of the presence in Christchurch of the Tariff Commission. The Departments of Public Health and Agriculture will also he present.

£190,000 CLAIMED

DEFENCE GIVEN BY COUNSEL

AUCKLAND, March 11 Tin- action in which certain shareholders of thi. Dominion Portland Cement Company have called upon certain directors of the company to show cruise why they should not contribute £190,000 in consequence of alleged misfeasance and alleged" breaches <r trust, while acting as Directors, was continued before Air Justice Sim at

the Supreme Court to-day. Mr Skerrett. K.C., on behalf of the plaintiffs .couldtided his address this morning. Counsel dealt with the .affairs of the company at length and criticised tile actions of the directors. Mr Myers, by arrangement with tho other defending counsel addressed the Court, first on behalf of his client (Ifeathcote P». Williams). One significant fact, lie said that had probably come under his Honour’s notice was that plaintiffs not include amongst their number a single commercial .man, although ther ( > were many commercial men business men, in the share list, which contained hundreds of names, it had been left to two slice]) farmers, a medical practitioner, a solicitor, and a Baronet, who, he believed, were also sheep farmers to commence these proceedings. A\ by was there not a commercial man among them ? The reason, lie claimed, was men of standing and of any experience knew and appreciated the difficulties with which these unfortunate directors had to contend during the greater part of the company’s history. He referred to the period beginning with the outbreak ol the war and said a commercial man with experience of the lasi few years would know that directors were not to blame tor what happened, and that they were unfortunate victims of circumstances. That was shown by a report on the position made by a committee of shareholders and business men appointed in March HH7. It was well known that many companies had failed to achieve success, and had lost all their capital with out any blame being attachable to the directors. Plaintiffs could not succeed, hi* said, unless and until the\ were able to show that the loss of which they complained was due to acts „f the misfeasance, which they alleged. Counsel proceeded to reply to the ease for plaintiffs in detail. The ease was adjourned.