DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] RAPE CHARGES. DUX EDI X, Aug. 8 Alfred Abraham Lind was indicted on eight counts of rape and indecent assault with respect to three different girls. The ease is not likely to conclude before to-morrow afternoon. Considerable interest is being taken in tlnease, owing to tile accused being an evangelist, in tin- city. It is alleged by the Crow n Hint lie exercised a malign inlluence over the eirls concerned in the case.

XATIE YOUTH CHARGED

AUCKLAND. Aug 8

In Kaituia Court. Wiremit Meinntn, a Maori, aged 10, was charged with intent to do grievous Kiddy barm to Pan I’e Pa a. by discharging a shot gun. To Pan said that on July ftlt. lie followed the footsteps ot Meiuala (his nephew) into the bush, Meinnta being under Ids charge, after receiving probation on a breaking and entering charge some time previously. The lad had given him a lot of trouble. When To Pan entered the hush a short distance he received a charge of shot in his face, neck and shoulder. Witness’s eye had to be removed, lie was in the hospital for a month. Accused was committed for trial. Mciunta admitted breaking and entering at Ahiparn, and stealing a quantity of goods, including it pcarille and cartridges. On this lie was committed for sentence. NEW PF.XXY POSTAGE STAMP WELLINGTON. Aug. 8. A new penny stamp lias been designed to mark the introduction of penny postage in N.Z. The chief feature is a miniature map of 1 lie Dominion with side borders in Maori scroll and the colour of the stamp is pink. OPOSSUM SEASON EXTENDED. PROTEST TO MINISTER. WELLINGTON, Aug 9. The internal Affairs Department has extended the trapping season for opossums two weeks.' The Acclimatisation Society debated this action, declaring it to be most unfair, and that I"e Society should have been consulted. One speaker said that the animals vend soon be killed oil' as the trappers were destroying both male and female. A protest was sent to the Minister. DIRECTOR OF BLIND INSTITUTE AUCKLAND. Aug. '» The Board of Directors of the !übiless institute for Ihe Blind, Auckland, have appointed Mr Cluthn .Mackenzie director. His candidature was sup ported bv Mr Caugliley, Director el the N.Z. Education Department. Mr Mai-k-nzie an- iii-iruineiiLil in raising the Pearson .Memorial luiui *<-; the blind of New Zealand, at present amounting to ‘.'33,000. SHALL is WED PL AUCKLAND. Aug. 9. A unique petition tinder the Marriage Act was heard by Justice Stringer at the Supreme Court. I- lorencc Ladybird Bingley, aged Is. of Manurewa, sought a declaration that her proposed marriage with J. X. IVnbertliy, a widower, an umbrella manufacturer aged IS. was a propel one. The petition was opposed by the girls father. William Bingley. Counsel lor the petitioner said the sole question at issue was one of eoligruity of age. The parties were deeply attached to each other. Counsel lot tho delenoe said when the man was til) and the girl 31), the latter would notice the dillcrciicc. His Honor said the disparity in age was not too ineongrotis. It he withheld permission the couple might drift into a dangerous intimacy. Ho judicially declared the proposed, marriage proper.

A SERIOUS CHARGE. TJMARU, Aug. 9

At the Magistrate's Court to-day. William James Allen, on charges of committing an indecent assault on buys was committed for trial. A BFRGI.ABY. WIIAKATAN'E. Aug. 9. Whakataue Borough Council Chambers were Imrglarously entered during the night and the strong room blown open, 'LSI in cash being taken and cheques left, in the cash box. An attempt to open an inside sale laded. The burglars obtained gelignite from the magazine at the Council's quarry. OLD COLON IST DEAD. NELSON. Aug. 9. Obituary.—Tames McEaebcn. aged 7J mi old and respected resident and veteran sprinter, fie assisted in publishing the first issue <»t the Dunedin “Star” and “Nelson Mail. lie was a prominent Freemason and Secretary of the Southern Star Lodge for '-•> >eais.