DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —TFR TRESS ASSOCIATION. DRUNKEN MOTORIST FINED. GAOL FOR FUTURE CASES. DARGAYILI.K, Sen. d. At the Magistrate’s Court, a man named Cornelius MacCarthy, a butcher. was lined ton pounds and costs for being drunk whilst in charge of a motor car. Defendant’s solicitor pleaded that it was MacUarthy’s first offence, and asked the Magistrate to inflict a fine.

The Magistrate, in reply, said ho had taken into consideration the previous good character of the accused, hut CIO lilies were inadequate in cases of this kind. .Magistrates all over the Dominion were now imprisoning without tin* option of a fine, and in future eases, imprisonment would he inflicted without respect to person or persons. He hoped the present case, which was the first of its kind in the district, would he a wanting.

THE MKSNA WRECK. INTERCEPTED AYf REL ESS. WELLINGTON. Sept. d. The Secretary of the General Post Office reports tin* following wireless was intercepted last evening from H.M.K. Laburnum to 11.M.K. \cronici and H.M.K. Dunedin at (i. Id p.m. “Meson aground lore and aft. broadside on. with water in all Imhls and engine room. The Laburnum and the Veronica cannot attempt to salve the ship and tin* Veronica's services will not he required. Have embarked 2!) passengers. All the crew are remaining on the wreck for the night. Am standing by and will sail probably at p.m. to-morrow, Friday. for N'ukualola, after embarking passengers and luggag'*.” K FOG 11 CHANGED WITH MURDER. THE DOCTORS' EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND. Kept. d. Hurrv Joseph Peters, alias Keogh, aged -10. was charged at the Police Court with the murder of Desmond Collins Beter.s on August dtli.

Doctor Fullerton, in describing the wounds on the dead habv said:—On the right side of the neck there was an irregular tagged wound, about fl inches long, lie saw the habv in tin* front room. The baby was still warm. Saw a broken dessert knife lying on a soup box ill the kitchen. It was possible for the wounds to he cail-eil I**' such a knife. Wit said to accused. ‘‘Have you killed thi- child i*" Accused said. “Yes.” Witness said: ‘‘Did you kill it with the knife." A'-cii-ed said “Yes." The accused added that lie did not know why he did it. lie seemed dazed and answered questions only in nioiioNvllahles. In reply to a 11 west lo n if he had taken liquor recclitIv. Peters said he had not. There were faint scratches of blood under his chin. Cross-examined witness said, the accused told him he hud ins', fed the baby and that it had not cried or irritated him.

Doctor Murray, who performed the past mortem, said the habv was well nourished and developed. He was ol the opinion that death was due to suffocation, caused hv Mood entering tlie lungs from a wound in the wiudpipe. ACCIDENTAL DEATH. WANGANUI. Sept. An impiest can ■'•ruing l.ilv Darby, who died of burns received at tin* Opera lions", a verdict was returned of accidental dr alb. no blame being attachable to anyone. I In* question ol naked gas-lights in dressing rooms was discussed. An expert witness instanc'd that tkes were used ill other theatres. He considered some heating appliances wen* reijuired for melting grease and pains, lie declared gas 'va•safer than stumps of candles. II" agreed that an electric hot point might answer the* purpose though lie had not - "cii one used.