DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1924, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

BT TELEGRAPH —riIESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. A HANDSOME GIFT. DUNEDIN, December 11. 'I he Otago University lias received a munificent gift. The sum of £BOOO has been contributed by an individual donor towards the permanent endowment of the chair of surgery. The announcement has been reported in a terse matter of fact way in deference to a personal desire that special publicity should not be given to the incident. The chair of surgery will henceforth he known as the Ralph Harnett chair and the name will signalise a pathetic tribute of paternal affection. Ralph Barnett, in the prime of youthful manhood, gave his life for his country. His father, who himself served in the Great War, Ims for more, than thirty years been one of the most distinguished surgeons in New Zealand and has devoted a great deal of time to the honorary performance of hospital duties.

COR ON KR’S C EXSIJRE. AUCKLAND, December 11. Tile Coroner Mr Al’Keen S.M., found that Wilfred James AYheolcr, ’bus proprietor. had negligently driven a vehicle on November 17, when lie knocked down Richard Rhodes Hartwell, aged sixtv-nine. who subsequently died in hospital. The Coroner said that it appeared that Wheeler, when turning, had his view obstructed by a passenger, who was standing. The 'bus was licensed to carry nineteen passengers and AVhecler admitted that, he took that to mean that he was entitled to carry only nineteen passengers. All the seats were full and he had five or six standing. AVhecler asked one of the passengers if all was dear and then turned sharply. It' he relied upon the word of an irresponsible person ho must lie held responsible.

AN INTERESTING CASE. BLENHEIAI, December 11. After a protracted hearing extending over three days before Air Justice Hosking and a jury of four finality was practically reached this afternoon in the case in which the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., is claiming from Henry Leslie Churchward, of Wellington. the sum of £321 ."is 8d for goods sold and delivered to the now bankrupt firm of R. J. Reid and Co., in which Air Churchward was alleged by the plaintiff company to have been a partner. Mr T. E. Kelling appeared for the plaintiff company, and Air G. G. G. Watson, of Wellington, for the defendant. The jury, after an absence of an hour and a half returned a verdict in favour of the defendant by replying ‘ Nn” to all the following items: (II It is admitted that Reid was an agent fur Churchward to buy wool and skins for Churchward up to Alav 31. 1023. hut that the agency was terminated on that dale; but you are asked to answer this question: Did the company, prior to A lay 31, 1023. know as a fact that Churchward, was a principal of Reid's (2) Was there a partnership IkiIwccn Reid ami Churchward in the nviog of wool and skin-' CD Was Churchward a partner with Reid in the buying of grain and produce between April 3 and May 31. 1023/ Counsel for plaintiff asked for and was granted an adjournment until tbc morning to enable him to consider the matter before judgment was entered. SHOPLIFTERS. FURTHER CHARGES. CHRISTCHURCH December 12. The three married women who were sentenced on Wednesday of last week to one month's imprisonment each, on shoplifting charges eoncoritining two shops, were brought before tlie Alagistrnte’s Court again this afternoon on a further count.

In giving his decision. Air Wyvern Wilson .said the circumstances of the crime confirmed the opinion expressed that these women had been engaged in systematic shoplifting. How long it had been going on he could not say. A month's imprisonment was quite sufficient for two. three or four offences of shoplifting. The modern conditions of retail trade rendered il obligatory for the trader to trust people with the handling of goods, and people must realise their responsibility in the matter. Each accused would be sentenced to 11) days’ imprisonment concurrent with the previous sentences imposed.

LATE CON REED. THE INQUEST. TAU.MAEUNUL Dee. 12. At the inquest on the late Con Reed the jockey, the Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. Deceased’s brothers expressed doubts as to whether the deceased had received the best of attention on the course, and also complained that there was no ambulance car on the course. The evidence of the .stewards ami doctor, however, showed that the deceased had been treated with every possible care, both at the course and in the manner of removal to the Hospital. The Coroner commented that in his opinion, everything possible was done for the deceased, no blame being attachable to anybody. He would commend to the attention of the stewards of the Club, however, that there should lie a room with all facilities for attention to injured jockeys.

MATRON' "WHYTE. ROTORUA, Reeembor 12. The hotly of the late Matron "Whyte, .of Kin}' (Jeorge V. Hospital, was taken by train to Hamilton for burial. Previously services were held at the Anglican Churches, with military honours. the coffin bearers being officers who served during the war. The modi, cal staff, sisters, and nurses, and a great attendance of the general public witnessed the ceremony. At the railwav station, a Maori chief made the farewell oration, seemed deeply impressed.