TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. THEFT OF CIGARETTES, JURY DISAGREE. WELLINGTON, May 11 The charge was heard at the Supreme Court to-day, brought against four of the gunners of the New Zealand Royal Artillery, named Charles Lennox, George Gould, Alfred Smith and Waite; Young. They were alleged to have stolen cigarettes from the Defence stores. The Judge ordered that Gould be discharged, on the ground that there was no evidence incriminating him. The evidence showed the goods were stored in the Alexandra Barracks. There was a deficiency in the canteen stores. The building was close to the street. The goods were in a corridor, and anyone could have access to them. There were a score of officials in the building. No one had verified the check on the canteen stores. The four accused slept on the premises during holidays,, but there was. nothing to deter outsiders from getting across to the goods.

The detectives’ evidence was that Young admitted stealing a quantity of tobacco and cigarettes. It was the practice of all men at the barracks to smoke cigarettes and eat groceries taken from cases in the corridor. Lennox and Smith had made similar admissions. Gould denied all knowledge of theft.

The detectives were cross-examined at considerable length as to the methods of taking statements from the accused. The detectives said they took the acceused to the police station because it was necessary to have the statements typed in duplicate. Young made a statement, and then said he would make a clean breast of the whole affair. “Did you say that if be did, it would lie to his interest ?”

Witness said Young asked what chance there was for probation. Witness said it would help if he cleared up the whole thing. The jury disagreed, and said there was no chance of them agreeing. A COMPLETE ACQUITTAL. CHRISTCHURCH, May 11 At the Supreme Court George Roland Stratford pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape. After a retirement of fivf minutes, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and a rider that the accused loft the Court without a blemish on Its character. DUNEDIN MOTOR FATALITY. DUNEDIN, May 11 The, adjourned inquest on the death of Thomas Edward Blunden, who was killed through being run over by a motor bus, returning from Forbury Park last Saturday, was continued to-day. The Coroner’s verdict was that deceased was accidentally knocked down and run over hv the bus, hut that no blame was attachable to the driver of the bus. A PROTEST. DUNEDIN, May 11 A largely attended meeting of Anglican clergymen was held to-dav and decided to protest against the proposed legislation that the State should take control of destitute, illegitimate, and orphan children. OTAGO HARBOR BOARD. DUNEDIN, May 11. Mr Thomas Scollay was elected chairman of the Otago Harbour Board (unopposed) and Mr 11. C. Campbell Deputy Chairman. CHURCH UNION. CHRISTCHURCH, May L The articles for the suggested union of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches were considered by the Christchurch Presbytery, and approved with an addition to clause 6 that no church shall he closed without the consent of the members, provided they are able to pay their ministers stipends on an authorised scale. A SHOOTING FATALITY. DUNEDIN, May 11. An inquest regarding the death oi the hoy, Stanley Arnold Oram Chapman was concluded to-day. Evidence showed that Arthur Dudley Stevenson, aged 16, and deceased were chums, and Stevenson went to a storeroom to get a gun, which was loaded, and was returning with it when it went off, the charge entering deceased’s abdomen. It is surmised that the trigger caught on a button of Stevenson’s clothing. Coroner Widdowson drew attention to the folly of leaving weapons loaded. The whole thing was a pure accident. A verdict to this effect was returned.