DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEG It AT* lI—PER I’RESS ASSOCIATION.] A JUDGES WARNING. OFFENDERS SENT TO GAOL. CHRISTCHURCH, July 20. "Supreme Court judges have decided that, owing to the fact that there is an epidemic of burglaries by young men, probation cannot he given in such cases,” announced Mr Justice Reed, at the Supreme Court to-day, when prisoners came up for sentence. Counsel was pleading for probation for a married man, who had stolen ari ides of clothing while under the influence of alcohol, and His Honour said that prisoner was unfortunate in that, his offence had been committed at a time when there had been a good deal of this kind of offence. Something more than probation should be given to young men who committed this class of crime, stated His Honour, and he intended to inflict a sentence which would show that probation would not bo given. Sentences were imposed in four cases, three of theft and one. of false pretences. There was only one ease. His Honour staled, where prisoner’s actions did not. show criminal tendencies, and probation was given. PURCHASE OF COAL. WETOUTS AND MEASURES. WELLINGTON, July 21. Cases of more than usual interest to the housewife were heard at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Mr R. T. Railey, who appeared fot the Labour Department, stated that they were the first eases taken under Ihe provisions of the Weights and Measures Act Amendment, 1022, and that the department intended to strictly enforce the provisions of the Act and regulations. s„ that it would he mesi advisable for coal merchants and hawkers who sell coal and coke to carefully study the requirements of these regulations governing the sale and delivery of this commodity. Under the Act. Foley and Jordan, who appeared charged with delivering coal not properly labelled, were ordered to pav the costs. Mr Bailey said that ii was important that the methods should lie adhered to, but as these were the tir-l prosecutions ol their kind under the Act, the department would not press for a heavy line. P. Pratt, who pleaded not guilty to charges of carrying coal for sale in bags not properly labelled, was also ordered to pay costs. On similar charges, the Wellington is mi ll Coal and Wood Company was also ordered to pay ousts.

FIRE AT ROTORUA. ROTOR UA. July 2d. About rhtee this morning, a tire broke out in a block in Tnlanekai Street, owned bv T. Williams. It gutted the shops of AY. Hu relic (draper) Mrs Galbraith (confectioner), also Bardie’s bulk store, and damaged the shop of R. G. Marsh (photographer). E. T Harris (bookseller). ’1 lie liie had a strong hold when discovered. It was .impossible to tell where or how it- originated. Iliardie’s and Galbraith's stocks were destroyed, and Marsh’s anil Harris’ gently damaged, Williams' was insured in I uited for £1 KlO. Harris’ in United for UloOtl. Haidie in Victoria. for £I2OO. Marsh in Northern for (t. Mrs Galbraith was uninsured. The brigade did exceedingly well to save the block, ns it strong wind was blowing.

POI.K E DEFENCES Bl LI

IM PORTANT CHANGES

WEIddNIiTOX, July 21

Somr inipnrlmil ohnlist's in the I’°lire Olfeiiees Amendment Hill have la'C'ii ininlo I)y till- Semites Revision C'on■ ini>tec of ttie Legislative Council which has hnil l In- ineiisure umlor consideration. 'J'ho olaiiso inserted in the Hill to (lonl v\ ill l tlio unlawful use of motorciti's has hoon nllcivil by way ol increasing the lino from L'2o to Cot), and ihc iin l >ri ill moil 1 term is fixed at a maximum of three nimitlis. A now provision is that |iorlion of iho fine mav he paid oi'or to the owner ol the oar as eoinpoiisnlion lor damage i<> the niaohino. A now provision .is that every person is liable lo ill roe months’ iniprisniii moilt or a lin.' of C2O. who, in iiieitrriiijj; ally debt or iiabilily, obtains orodii b\ - moans of any Irand lo an amount lint exceeding L'oO.

TOTAI.JSATOH TAX. i>i:nrc tio.v recommended. OA.MAH I’. July 20. The loll.mine resolution lias been framed by the Oainarii .Jockey flub and ordered to bo sent-to the Covorn incut, liieinbers oi Harliainoin. and all country racing clubs in the Dominion: "That lids club lakes strong exception to ibo propose Is made by the chairman of the Karine; Conference (Sir (Icorge Clilford) for a reduetion in taxation on slakes and dividends as a means of relief m clubs. As those proposals would not relieve the financial position of cliliis in any way, this chili strongly recoin mends that a reduction he made in the tolalisaior and amusement taxes, as these lull direelly upon clubs, and are solely responsible for i iio financial difficulties in which so many country clubs find themselves today. From the point of view of the Treasury, the removal of the tolalisaior and amusement taxes, which totalled L'luJ.32.‘> last season, would not abort the revenue of the country to nearly the same extent as the removal of dividends and stakes taxes, which totalled C200.ll!;. In the event of the Oovernmeiii not brine; prepared to forgo the whole of the tolalisaior and amusement tax, this club recommends that a graduated tax he imposed upon dubs whereby the first £25,000 invested on the totalisaior should ho exempt from the totalisaior tax."

OPOSSUM CASE. WEJ.LTNTiTOX, July 23. Two men were before the Court today. charged with the illegal removal of opossums. It was alleged against Henry Chcttiek and Joseph August that they tools opossums without a license, removing them out of season. It was stated the movements of the accused had boon closely watched by rangers employed by the Acclimatisation Society. A number of opossums and traps were found which had been set bv the accused. It was difficult to detect offenders in such cases. A heavy fine was asked for it a conviction were recorded. The Magistrate agreed small fines were useless. Large profits could be made from the practice. He imposed a fine of £23.

OFFENDER SENT TO GAOL. CHRISTCHURCH. July 2.1. The habit of using other people's motor cars has become father common recently in and around Christchurch. A sentence that was imposed by Mr Wyveni Wilson. S.M., on two men at the Magistrate’s Court, Rnngiora, today should help to restrain future joyrider'. The two men charged were Reginald Portree and Joseph Murtland. Pearce was lined to and costs, and Moribund was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. 'The Magistrate said the offence of taking cars was becoming; ton common. The only way to stop these offences was to impose such a penalty as to create a fear among the community.

MAN STIC IDES. WELLINGTON, July 23. John Price, aged 70, a retired labourer. confined to bed with a cold, was found on Saturday hanging on a peg behind his bedroom door, with a rope round his neck. When found he had been dead some hours. SMUGGLING CHARGE. WELLINGTON, July 22. An interesting case was that of an Italian fisherman. Francesco Cataldo, charged with smuggling 201) on moos into X.Z.. and unshipping them here without a permit. Jt was hoard before Mr E. Page S.M. The Crown l’ro-ecutor. Ik S. K. Maeasse.v. conducted the case Tor the prosecution. Defendant was represented by Mr J. S. Hanna. Mr Mncasscy said the defendant had arrived in New Zealand from Italy on June 0. 192 L, and had 200 cameos in his possession. TO 1 which he sold to a local jeweller, S. G. Ross. 3he case was then brought tinder notice of the Customs. The greater number of the cameos were tecovered. Tla.-il Warring. Clerk at the Customs O—ieo, gave evidomo that the Customs Duties Act. If)i)S, imposed a duty on ali goods imported, with certain exceptions. On vaiiuus fancy goods, the* duty was 30 per lent. Cameos were classed as fancy goods and this had been the ease lor the past lb years. According to the Finance Act. 191 b, a. duty of 1 per cent, was due on aii goods imported into New Zealand. Tn June. 1923, the Minister definitely stated that cameos made of shell were fancy goods. Mr Mcl.aurin (Collector of Customs) said cameos were classed as lancy goods by the head office in 1882. Duty had been paid on cameos in the past 40 years. A purchaser of the cameos said she had no idea at the time ni the purchase that the goods had not been through the Customs.

Defendant said he purchased the stones from a boat which came alongside the steamer at Naples. Derision was reserved. BLENHEIM OUTBREAK. BLENHEIM, July 23. A large dwelling house, occupied by Mrs A. M. Michaclanuey, was the scene of an outbreak of fire. 'I hree adults ami three children made a hurried exit. Four rooms were gutted, and the furniture was a.-tola I hiss. The insurance on the house was L'tlfX) ill the Phoenix and C3<K> in tile Commercial Union.