VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHILD MURDER CASE. j VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. j ! CHRISTCHURCH, August 2. , I At the hearing of the Burgess child murder ease, Mr Cunningham, Com ' , sel for defence, said he wished to sub- 1 j niit that the evidence adduced by the Crown was wholly insufficint. He ask|ed his Honour to direct the jury to j return a verdict of “ not guilty” withj out going any further. I ! His Honour replied that lie could not . take such a course. There was evi , deuce that'the child had been 'horn alive, though Dr Pearson had stated i under cross examination, that there' was a possibility that it might have | died in the course of birth. The only | i other question was whether the child i , had been killed bv the accused. Upon this there was the evidence of wounds | it might not he strong enough to war- ] rant a verdict of guilty, but it could | not he disregarded.

Counsel in his address, submitted that the evidence was insufficient to establish that the child had been born alive; also that if the accused took tin child’s life, she was insane, and did not know the nature and quality of her act; and that the evidence was wholly insufficient to convict the accused with the killing of to child which might have been done by some other person.

The Crown Prosecutor did not address the Court.

After a retirement of 35 minutes jury returned a verdict of "not guilty.” The prisoner was discharged CONVICTION FOR THEFT WELLINGTON. August 2. At the Supreme Court to-day Roouo and Holland were charged with theft of about £7fi worth of goods from fthe Empire Trading Company. The jury returned a verdict of guilty with a strong recommendation to -mercy on the ground that the business was net conducted in a .strict, way. -lusti<-, Reed said fie would refer the question of what the decision meant to the Appeal Coni-t. Bail gould be arranged. j ONGAROTO TRAGEDY ! fi Hamilton -August 2. j Iho Court was crowded. The pris- ; oner showed no signs of distress. Dr. j Rfrtram gave evidence that an examination of the body showed either of O' 1 ■ two wounds in the nock was ! sufficient, to cause death. Questioned by Counsel for accused, witness said blood tests generally vert- regarded as reliable, but not as absolutely infallible The evidence given was similar to that the previous hearing regarding the movements of deceased and rc'lsed, and as to hearing shots fired. Martha Cook stated that soumti.e.in March, before the, murder Te TCnho called at. Cox’s store and asked goods on credit promising to pay when he got his next pav. In rente to, bis Honour, she stated he had not paid yet.

| JOCKEY INJURED. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 2 Lon liagerty, the well-known Canterbury horseman, who has been a regular visitor lo Coast meeings for years, met with a serious accident yesterday. IU had a fall at Riccarton while schooling Bay Lupin. He was removed to the Christchurch Hospital, where it was found that although lie had sustained an injury to the spine, his condition was not dangerous. Bay Lupin broke a leg and was destroyed. SUDDEN DEATH. WELLINGTON. Aug. 2. Another sudden death, the third reported since .Sunday, occurred to-dav. Dm •eased was a married man named Joseph Baldwin, aged 4 s - years, a carpenter. He had recently enjoyed good health. THE PAKERA’S IMMIGRANTS. WELLINGTON, Ju,ly 31. The Pakelia arrived in the harbour early this morning from London with over 800 immignint.4 of both -sexes, mostly from England and Boot-land. The health examination of the Port Health authorities occupied all day, and the vessel did not berth until the evening. Tt is stated that the majority of the immigrants are coining either to assured positions or to friends.

M T LIT ARY HOSPITALS. WELLINGTON, August 1. The Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts Departments, the Minister of Defence, tile Diretor-Gene. ml of Medical Services to-dav fully discussed the ‘proposal to hand over the military hospitals at Rotorua and Hanmer Springs to the civil authorities. It was decided that if they are handed over, they are to be transferred to the Health Department. The Minister of Health, however, desires to visit both places before definite arrange-

ments ar made. The handing over of the Sanatorium and grounds at Haunter Springs by the Tourist Department, was also considered, but decision was deferred, BELGIUM AUTHORISES IMPORT. WELLINGTON, August }. ' Information has been received bv the Minister of Agriculture (Hon W. Nosworthy), from the digit Commissioner, that, as it result of representations made by him, a decree has been passed by the Belgian Government autbodising the importation into Belgium of New Zealand beef without the necessity of leaving adherent any internail organs. Miutton and lamb have for some years been admitted into Belgium without special condition, and it is satisfactory to note that beef may also be admitted. The decree. however, recpiircs that each quarter shall he legibly stamped so that the country of origin '•an ho ascertained without difficultv. '-ihlegrnin has been sept to fVm High ('•• ■" Nunner asking if it will fie possible to a--range with the Belgian authnnt : '>s that- the inswtnn t-m attached to each quarter*ns in esc at present will he accepted in lion of a stamp actually impressed on the meat