TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

. -ifiJjEGIIAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] INQUEST VERDICT. PALMERSTON NORTH, Apr. 11. At the inquest on. the body of Frederick Geo. Smith, a drover found on Cameron's line oh April 6th., a verdict was returned of death from a gunshot wound self inflicted. THEFT OF MOTOR CAR. PALMERSTON NORTH April 11. Andrea Diere, charged with theft of a motor car was remanded till April 18th. The ear concerned in the charge was one which went ovei a bank on Manawatu Gorge on February 28th., when four men were hurled into the river and a man named Davidson was killed.

FOUND DEAD. •AUCKLAND, April 11. Richard Henry Hogan, aged 80 years, a resident of M’airoa, Hawke’s Bay was found dead in his bed in the Market Hotel this afternoon. A NARROW ESCAPE. CHIEF JUSTICE AND LADY STOUT WELLINGTON, .April 11. The Chief Justice and Lady Stout had a narrow escape from serious injury on Saturday while motoring in the neighbourhood of Karori. A\hon going down hill their ear got out of control. It dashed down the hill at the rate of forty miles an hour. The driver displayed great presence of child. Instead of attempting to take a , orner at the bottom of the lull at the speed they were going, he turned the ar into a fence. The car was badly damaged. The occupants had a. fortunate escape with only miner cuts and bruises. The Chief Justice was lame to-day as a result of injuries to his knees. i,ady Stout was slightly cut about Hie face. .'■•II IKE JUSTICE FARE WELLED. M’ELLTNGOTN, April 11

The members of the legal fraternity issemhled to-day to pay a tribute to the Chief Justice on the eve of his approaching visit to Britain. Those present Included ; Judges Sim, Husking, Stringer, Snlmond, and Reed, Hon A. R. Chapman, Sir F. Bell (Attorney General), Mr McGregor" (Solicitor General). On behalf of the Wellington bar, Mr O’Leary presented Sir R. Stout with a oortrait of himself in oils, and a stirring eulogy of the work of the Chief Justice was delivered by Sir F. Bell. Sir R. Stout was overcome with emotion, and was unable to reply at length. He feelingly thanked the legal men loi their gift.

VESSEL DAMAGED. AUCLKAND, April 10 The Helen B. Sterling, which arrived from Newcastle to-day had her mam topmast head carried away on March 18, in heavy weather, making liri on Saturday. The vessel was struck by a heavy squall, which broke the foresail gall' and blew out the sail. MORE IMMIGRANTS. AUCKLAND, April 11 The Mahcno to-day brought ISO immigrants for Auckland. They comprise 112 adults and 08 children. LEGAL POSITION EXPLAINED. WELILNGTON, April 11 In connection with the New Zealand clearing house established to co-operate with the Imperial Government in the matter of claims for pre-war debts between British subjects and Germans, the position was explained at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. It was staled that advice had been received from the Solicitor-General that kt was exceedingly questionable whether shipping consignees’ claims could be supported, as it might reasonably be assumed that, by German law, or by the terms of the lulls of trading, the German shipowners were sufficiently protected. In view of the provisions relation- to the imposition of lines ot 5 |>er cent of the amount on unsubstantiated claims for debts, it would be wise . for the consignees to ascertain definitely their position before sending any claim to the Clearing Office. To overcome the difficulty of being called upon to pay a line on unsubstantiated claims, the Dominion Controller had agreed to send forward Lite claim of the consignees with the s.s. Wisraar, on condition that penal interest should not apply until after the Clearing Office of the creditors had had an opportunity of - withdrawing the claim. After the receipt of a form of protest from the Clearing Office of the debtor, the claims should 1)0 forwarded to the Local Controller immediately, as the date for receipt would shortly expire. OBITUARY. CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. Rev Thomas McDonald, Presbyterian minister at Sefton, North Canterbury, aged GG. His widow is a sister of Dr.