DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—-per press association.]

MISTAKEN IDENTITY,

M AG ISTRATE’S It KQUESI

want; AN IT, Aug. JO

In reference to the Press Association message, published yesterday, denying that the body of the man found drowned recently was that of Ernest Randall, since reported alive, Magistrate Barton requests that ii be made known that, his verdict was as follows:—“In my opinion the evidence tendered does mu. justify a definite finding that the body was that of Ernest Randall.” It will be remembered that at the lime Randall was supposed to have disappeared and some witnesses at the iiK|Ucst who saw photographs of the body were strongly of the opinion that it was that of Randall. The.-. Magistrate however returned an open verdict and mentioned at the time that Ihe longer Randall remained unheard of the stronger would lie the supposition that it may have been bis body ilmi was found in the river. WOOL SALE. want; a nit, Aug. an A clearing up sale of erutehings and oddments was held to-dav when a total ol 1500 hales wore offered. There was a small attendance of buyers and competition was restricted, a fall again being apparent in erutehings. The I*cm depreciated fully Id to Ltd per lb. I be quality offering was only medium blit interior wools met with a fairlv good market. CONVICTED OF PER.I Lit V, NAPIER. August 28. At ill,- Supreme Court to-day, before the Chiei .1 ustice, Alexander Lawrence (drover) was found guilty of perjury at bankruptcy proceedings, in that on oatll. knowing it to be false, he made a- statement that he had no horses and dogs, whereas evidence for the Crown showed that be owned two horses and three dogs. Sentence was deferred. QCKSTTON OK DRAIN AO E. CIIEISTOII I'RCTf. Aug. JO. The llnvernment has commenced draining the swamp on which five workers’ dwellings are erected at Wonlston. The tenants allege that the (iovernment still insists on charging them foi the work, but they refuse to pay on the ground that the flooding is due to Government bungling. ASSAULT CHARGE. AUCKLAND. Aug. JO. At the Polite Court to-day. Victor Henry Simmouds, aged 38. pleaded not. guilty to two charges of having indecently assaulted two schoolboys, aged 10, at Mount Albert, on August 15. The accused was committed for trial. Accused was also charged with having assaulted two young men with intent to do grievous hodilv harm. Ihe evidence showed that when the accused was arrested on previous charges, he broke away from the constable. and was pursued by the constable and three men. On being surrounded, be jabbed ime man. George Alfred Davoren, with knife, inflict ing a wound above the right, knee. Another man. Leslie Edward llowartli, received a cut on the ■land during the struggle. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial in custody.