TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1921, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

(.£•“ -£iJSGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

THEFT CHARGES

YVELLINGTON, May 26

In the waterfront theft charges against Alexander Chisholm (time-keep-er), and George Churchill (assistant timekeeper) evidence was taken at length. The hearing was not concluded.

SHIPOWNERS’ T J ABILITY. YVELLINGTON, May 26

The shipping committee here.have submitted there report on the limitation of shipowners’ liability under hills of lading. They recommend unanimously uniform legislation throughout the Empire on the lines of the existing Acts, but based more precisely on the Cana’dian Water Carriage of Goods Act. 1910. subject to provisions in regard to exceptional cases in which goods can be carried at the owners’s risk. They urge the precise definition of the physcal limits to shipowners’ liability, and the fixing of maximum monetary limits of liability. The report deals with the methods of deciding upon exceptions and limits, and in this connection proposes the establishment of a special body common to the Empire and indicates other matters which might lie referred to such body. The constitution of this body and the other functions it might- undertake arc deferred for a later report.

APPEAL PARTLY SUCCEEDS. AUCKLAND, May 26

At the Supreme Court there was a rehearing of the case against Franklin John Smith charged with rape or alternatively indecent assault. The jury after three and a half hours’ retirement gave a verdet of not guilty of rape but guilty of assault. , Sentence will be given to-morrow The accused was convicted on the major count in June last, and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. An application for a retrial on the grounds that the verdict was against the weight of evidence was granted by the Court of Appeal.

UNEMPLOYMENT. NAPIER, May 26. Hon. J. G. Coates, Public Works Mi nister who has been on an extended tour in the East Coast distress, arrived here to-night and received deputations regarding unemployment and various other matters of local interest It is expected that the Minister will leave on Saturday for YVellington. The Labour Department has arranged to send a number of married soldiers and married men with dependents to employment on a public* works on Monda v.

Later some 50 single men are to b p provided with work in the backbkicks that is not suitable for marred men. Mon from the ranks of the unemployed in Napier and Hastings will be. selected for the work offering.

SUPREME COURT. AUCKLAND, May 27

At the Supreme Court, in the trial of Franklin John Smith, on alternative charges of rape and indecent assault, recently granted by the Appeal Court, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on the minor count. Judge Stringer sentenced the accused to three years’ imprisonment, dating from the former conviction, on the charge of rape.

ALLEN THE ESCAPEE

PALMERSTON N. May 27

At the police court, Robert Gilmour Allen, an escapee from Wanganui gaol, who was arrested at Terrace End yesterday was remanded to appear at Wanganui on May 30th. Accused was committed for trial for theft of cigarettes and chocolates from a street shop at Terrace End. ACQUITTED. WANGANUI, May 27. Bernard Gregory Mullins, charged with manslaughter, arising out of the motor car fatality, in which two young people were killed, was acquitted at the Supreme Court to-day.