DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1923, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TKLEGRArn—PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] MANS LA I'CIJTER CHARGE. GISBORNE. November 23. Florence Orr. cliargetl with manslaughter in respect of the death of the child Bridget Mary Rohan pleaded not guilty iiml reserved her defence. She was committed to the Supreme Court. HOLD-FD AT ASHBURTON. ASHBURTON, Nov. 23. A midnight hold-up with a gun befell Robert Tottv, chemist, and his wifo at one o’clock on Monday morning. They were aroused from their sleep by rapping on the door. Tottv, thinking that somebody was requiring medicine opened, first the back door and then the front door. He searched the verandah ineffectively and returned to bed. Shortly after he heard a voice outside the wall. Tottv. now alarmed and suspicious, asked: “What do you want. Who are vou

A man’s voice replied: “1 want your money.” Tottv replied: “I have none.” The man pushed up the window, presented a single barrelled gun and repeated the demand. Both Tottv and his wife sprang from bed and Mrs Tottv ran to the telephone to summon the police. Her husband with hands up, cautiously approached the Intruder, but the stranger then withdrew the firearm and decamped. The police arrived promptly but so far no capture has been made. The theory is current that the intruder was a weak minded person. SUFFERING FROM SHELL SHOCK. BLENHEIM, Nov. 23 A returned soldier. George Crocker, aged 38. badly shattered by war experience. and suffering from a nervous breakdown, left his home at Springlands without warning, on August 28th last. There has been no word of him since. The efforts of the police and private inquiries have failed to trace his whereabouts. When lie left home, lie was wearing a black suit and boots ami a dark felt hat. His height is sft bin. He is of slight build with blue eyes, dark hair, and sallow complexion. SHIR'S CREW IN COURT. AUCKLAND. Nov. 23 Twenty members of the crew of the steamer Trelevao were id-day sentenced to one month's imprisonment for combining to disobey lawful commands while the vessel was anchored ihn. port on Wednesday. Twenty-two men

were fined from a pound to -10 s for disobedience in a lawful command, and as 2d refused id pay, they were lodged in gaol yc.ivi'.lay. and this morning were escorted back to the ship, which was ready to sail for Sydney. They replied “No,” to Hie captain’s inquiry whether they would work the ship. At the Court to-day they declined io return, even after the captain had promised a “pay” at Sydney. The .Magistrate gave them an opportunity to accept, hut olio man said: “The food is better in gaol than on the ship. Its nearly starvation there!” The original trouble arose through the captain declining an advance of wages at Auckland, owing to a fracas on the steamer as the result of men returning on board drunk, alter one advance had been made. IMMIGRANT'S THEFT. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 23. William dames Lance Stevens, who had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court to the tliel't of motor tyres and tubes, valued at CHI 10s belonging to Royd’s Motors, by whom lie was employed came up before Mr Justice Adams for sentence. When arrested lie said lie committed the crime because the limes were hard, lie wished to show his employers that lie was doing good business.

-Mr Ainodeo who appeared for .Stevens. said he was twenty-one years of age, was horn in England, and became a practical engineer there. Coming to New Zealand about two years ago, lie worked for the Tramway Board, and later for Rnyd’s Motors. He was married about four months ago.

His Ho'nonr: “Did he come out as an assisted immigrant r’’ Mr Amodes said that he came out because of the slackness of work in England. He coiul not get employment, and he had not been in trouble before. Counsel asked for probation. The Crown Prosecutor said that it seemed to he a ease ill which the prisoner should he given another chance. Stevens was admitted to probation for three years. PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 23. A bigely attended meeting to-day passed the. following resolution: “This meeting of business firms and representative citizens endorse the Canterbury Progress League’s proposal to launch a special publicity campaign for Canterbury in connection with the British Empire Exhibition, and commends the scheme to the generous and practical sunnort of all local bodies, business linns, and private individuals.

THEFT CM A HUES. DUNEDIN. Nov. 23. .Tames pleaded guilty at the Police Court, this morning, when charged with breaking and entering the warehouse of St munch and Morris at .Aliddlomarcii, and stealing £3O 14s Id, and he was committed for sentence. On a charge of stealing a bicycle he was remanded till Nov. 30th. MILK A'ENDOB FINED. AUCKLAND, Nov. 23.' At Ihe police Court the proprietress of a Dairy was charged with selling milk containing 14.54 per cent. ol water. She said she had no intention oi watering the milk, hut put a lump o lice in it in keep it over night. She was lined £lO. SIX MONTHS FOR THEFT. AY ELLINGTON, Nov. 23.

David Tlmmas McGavin. who stole jewellery valued at 22 15s from I. Coltman’s shop. Cuba Street, cu November Ist., was .sentenced to six j months’ imprisonment. Accused and a man named Marchall tillered C’oltman a suit length for sale. Whilst Coltiuan was in the back ol the shop consulting his -wife, the two men’ abstracted jeweller;, from the window. After a chase in the street. Marcliall was arrested. On the fir-l appear.ime at Court the ac-used was allowed bail, but Marclmll has not been seen since. A SAD CASE. AA ELLTNGTON, Nov. 24 Details of a sad case of attempted suicide by a middle-aged unmarried limn, .Limes A'ernon McKenzie, were exampled in the Magistrates Court. The accused had been employed by the Lower Mutt Borough Council for three veers, but as a result of being out of iv,irk lately lie became despondent. He subsequently went into the Conned Chamber, covered himself with a sheet -and turned on the gas. In a letter, handed to the Magistrate, the accused declared that he had neither friends, tnonev nor work and would not lie able to make any headway if discharged. The ease was ultimately adjourned until Tuesday to enable inquiries to bo made with regard to the prospects of securing work for the accused.