VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

TELEGRAMS.

(PlSlt X’KESS ASSOCIATION.—-COPYBIGHT.; PRISONERS SENTENCED. CHRISTCHURCH, March 24. Several prisoners who had pleadec guilty in tlio lower Court were brought before Mr Justice Herdman for sentence yesterday. Percy Pascoe who had pleaded guilty to the theft of a bicycle had five previous convictions against him and the police report was not in his favour. He was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisoanment with hard labour. James Cook, an old man, against whom there were four previous convictions, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisoanment for breaking and entering and theft. John Pownie Stewart and Martin Carroll were brought up for sentence for theft. Mr Gee, for Carroll pleaded drink as an excuse for the crime, and asked for leniency on account of the prisoner’s wife. His Honour said that he could not accept the excuses offered, and both prisoners would be sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment with had labour.

SHOP ASSISTANTS’ HOURS. WELLINGTON, March 24. It is probable tiliat the Court of Arbitration will shortly bo asked to fix tho hours of shop assistants, and if the case conies on for hearing it will be of considerable interest. Previously, it is said, the Court would not fix the hours of shop assistants on the ground that it had not the power to do so. Tti the Shops and Offices Amendment Act, 1920 which operated from the beginning of this year, provisions are made which are considered to endow tho court with that power. Power is given to fix the hoprs of the closing of shops whether assistants are employed in them or not. Also, power is given to fix the maximum daily or weekly hours of shop assistants. • FATAL INJURIES. CHRISTCHURCH, .March 23 F. Ilrowu, 51 years of age, a single man, while stepping off a tramear in Sydenham last evening, was knocked down by a motor-car‘and received injuries which resulted in his death. COUNCILLORS SURPRISED. INSURANCE COMPANY AND A FIDELITY ROND. 'MASTERTON, .March 23. In connection with the fidelity bond of .Tames Archer, late town clerk to Ihe .Master!on Rorongh Council, who 1 was convicted and sentenced for embezzlement, a letter was read at the 1 Rorough Council meeting last night 1 from the insurance company concerned. File letter stated that the council was inly entitled to T3O 12s 3d. The Mayor said the letter would ■ome as a shock to councillors. It was ' ■xpected that the council would re- 1 ■over It 150 on each of the four claims. [Hie original policy had disappeared, mt the company alleged that a danse i if tlie policy could only claim for what ( lad happened in the twelve months ireceding the council’s discovery of tb > , lefaleations. * j