VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

(PEH PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.. HOTEL-KEEPER HEAVILY FINED. CHRISTCHURCH, May 31. On May 14 a youth named Middleton. aged 18. was convicted of drunkenness in a restaurant and was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment but was subsequently released by the Prisons Board. The sequel was heard in the Magistrate’s Court when William Nidd licensee of the Royal Hotel was charged with selling liquor to a person under the age of 21 years and with selling liquor after hours. The evidence disclosed that the., hoy had three drinks of port wine and brandy, Geoffrey Tobart paying for two and Vincent Ward for the third. For the defence it was contended that the boy appeared over the age and did not look intoxicated. The charge of selling after hours was admitted. On the first charge, defendant was fined £7 10s and on the second £5. GUILTY OF EMBEZZLEMENT. WANGANUI, May 31. Charges of alleged embezzlement against Geo. Beckett, late Secretary of the Wanganui R.S.A. were concluded to-day. The total involved was about £137. Accused was found guilty on several minor charges among the eleven counts in indictment, and not guilty on two principal charges involving £6l and £27. He will be sentenced to-morrow. The Jury added a rider recommending accused to the greatest possible lenience in view of the fact that laxity in the financial administration of the Club encouraged, if it was not conducive to irregularity. INSOMNIA LEADS TO SUICIDE. PAHIATUA. May 31. An inquest on Mary Connell, wife of James Connell, settler, Konikoni, disclosed the fact that deceased had suffered seriously from insomnia for a considerable period. She had remarked that she was tired of life as ; result of her being unable to sleep. The Coroner returned a verdict 'of suicide while in a state of mental depression.

MEAT TRUST. Wellington. May 31. Yesterday, Sir F. Bell, stated to the press that Armour’s meat firm had 1,000,000 carcases of sheep in store. To-day. however the Acting Premier received from the General Manager of the firm at Christchurch a denial of this, the latter stating that they were holding under 300,000 carcases. Replying to this Sir F. Bell said he was under the impression that Mr Carney of Armours, had informed him the quantity was 1,000,000 but evidently there was a mistake in what Air Cagney said. He did not question the statement in the manager’s telegram. He regretted the mistake, however, as the number was not material to the point at issue.

NAPIER WOOLSACKS

NAPIER, May 31

At the wool sales hero 8405 bales were offered. Despite a reserve, 80 per cent, were sold. Prices on the average .showed inn increase of 10 polecat over Wellington sales, representing a three-farthing to one penny per lb. rise on fleece wools. The buyers represented New Zealand, English, American and Continental houses.* The top price was 10i|d for Southdown. Bradford took 00 per cent of the offer ing. ' ,

A CAGE FALLS. WAIITT. Juno 1. An iron cage at number four shaft in Waihi mine broke away from the wire rope and fell with terrific force some 600 ft. from the eighth to twelfth level, where it struck a penthouse, and flattened out. Grave concern was felt for the safety of four miners working at the thirteenth level, and the shaft pumpman, and ns the means of ingress was blocked bv the shattered cage, it was some time before a rescue party could get into touch with the workers and relieve the anxiety of those overhead with the announcement Hint all were well below. The cause of the accident is not yet clear.