DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

SERIOUS CHARGE. KAIKOURA, April 25.. John Rupert Aloran, charged with indecent assault on a girl aged six years, appeared before Alessrs James Davidson and R. T. Pope, Justices of the Peace, last night. After the evidence of the girl and her grandfather had been taken, the accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. GIRL THIEF. CHRISTCHURCH,. April 26. A young girl, who opened a registered envelope and took £2 out of it, sealed it up again, and handed it on to tho rightful owner, was given another chance by Mr 11. A'. AA’iddowson, S.AL, in the Afagistrate’s Court. Her name was also suppressed. In reply to the Alagistratc, Detective Sergeant Young said that the accused had readily admitted the offence. There had been no previous complaints regarding her. The accused had stated that she took the money to purchase a dress.

The Alagistratc said that it was a pity to see a girl like the accused in the dock. She bad bad a Girls’ High School education, and bad done her work well for a good firm. The accused would he given a chance. She was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. She would have to refund tho £2 forthwith. Under the circumstances, seeing that the accused was young, and that it was her first offence an order was made that her name ho not published.

WATERSTDE TROUBLR. CHRISTCHURCH, April 26. The Lyttelton waterfront is at a dxindstill.

It is understood that both the employers and tho men have expressed theii' willingness to ho represented at the conference to-morrow.

THE ARRESTED SHIP. AUCKLAND, April 26. The judgment given by the Supreme Court in the case brought by tbe consignees ol cargo, as plaintiffs, against tbe Captain and crew of the American barque, Guy C. Goss, which was recently arrested for debt, the final stage being the hearing of a claim for wages. Judge llerdmiui said the case for the seamen had been proved, that they were entitled to their claim for wages amounting to £6Ol 16s 3d. Judgment would he given in their favour for £750 3s 9d with casts. If the freight lmd not been paid, tbe Captain and crew would be entitled to a lien over the cargo and freight. The onus of proving the freight had not been prepaid fell on the men. In this case they had not discharged that responsibility. Consignees had agreed to remove all cargo here, and the claim against the ship must succeed. The ship could he sold, .and he would order that tho cargo lie released from :■ ('rest. Mr Findkiv said he would withdraw the •• onsignee* writ of arrest. The present, position m that the ship is still under arrest, under the writ to tiic master and seamen and Harbour j Board. Nor. u.:!l Hie cargo has !*en j telomed an eff-H, win oU- T 1 ”. 1 ';.."' j sell the YW'-*.‘i. ! CONTROL OF HOSPITALS. TTAATTLTON, April 26. The Minister of Health has apparently deteifmmcil (the control of the New Zealand Hospitals shall remain in the hands of the people, despite any recommendations to the contnzry. or influence: brought to hear, to bring about an alteration of (ho present system. Speaking at Huntly, lie said:—“ Aly policy shall he to preserve control of our hospitals in the hands of the people, who are responsible for arranging their finance and organisation. HAND BLOWN OFF. NELSON, April 27. David C'oghlan, of Pikomanu, had his right hand blown off by the explosion of a percussion cap which ho was placing into a charge of dynamite. A AYEAK FATHER. NELSON. April 26. A somewhat unusual incident occurred during the silting of the, Magistrate’s Court to-day, when a country resident, who appeared to answer a charge of failing to send his child to

school, who ordered to be taken into custody by Mr T. K. Mnunsell, S.M. The innu concerned was Leonard Kerr, of AYaiti. The charge was read. Defendant: “1 cannot do any-

thing.” The Alagistratc: “You cannot do anything in the condition you arc in now. AYluit do you mean by coming here in this condition?” Defendant: “AVhat condition? I cannot do anything at all. She has gone away from me. I cannot do anything at all.” The Magistrate (to a constable): “I think this man had better be taken into custody.”

To the defendant the Alagistrate said: “Do you mean to say you are in a .sober, condition Defendant: “Yes.” The Magistrate: “How do you plead: Guilty or not guilty?” Defendant: “Not guilty. 1 cannot do anything with her.” The Alagistratc: “You can go to the back of the court, and the ease will he called later. U you have not sobered up then I will deal with you in another way.” Defendant: “You can deal with me in aiiv way now.” The Alagistrate (to the constable): '• Take him into custody.” The defendant was then taken in charge, and was removed from the Court. The defendant was later charged with drunkenness, and was brought before the Alagistrate. The information was amended to one of contempt of Court, to which defendant pleaded guilty, and lie was then sentenced to 2-1 hours’ imprisonment. held at Ross last evening, about 20 persons being present. There were nine nominated for five seats, and a ballot resulted as follows: H. Osmers ... F. AHfchell 17 F. Gladstone A. Hedwig 41 , G. Thompson H J. Holmes 9 AV. Thomson 9 F. Fellowes ? AV. Aferrick 4 The first five were declared elected. __ The new Committee then met when Afr H. Osmers was elected Chairman, Air A. AV. Peebles. Secretary and (Treasurer, and the third Satnrday in each month at 7.30 p.m. was fixed as the day of meeting.

OLD MAN’S SUICIDE. AUCKLAND, April 26. AA’illiam Bonbon, aged BJ, was found hanged at Riverhead onSaturday. At the inquest a verdict of suicide was returned, evidence being given that deceased was eccentric and had delusions that spies were following him. A FIREAIAN FINED. ' CHRISTCHURCH, April 26. Peter Carson Campbell, a fireman on the “Canadian AJiiler” was fined £lO, in default three months, for obscene language and drunkenness. The Alagistrate described it as one of the worst cases that had come before tbe Court. STEAMER’S CLOSE SHAVE. AVELLINGTON, April 26. At the inquiry concerning the touching of the small seventy-ton steamer Cygnet off Ben Moore, near AVaipapa Point, in heavy weather on March 31, the Court (Air Riddell, S.AI. presiding) found that the master committed an error of judgment in changing his course but that lie acted in a seamanlike manner in bringing the vessel safely to port. His certificate would be returned. OLD LANDMARK DESTROYED. PUKEKOHE, April 26. One of the oldest lands “Puni” near Pukekohe, a Jwo-storey, eightroomed house, was destroyed by lire early yesterday morning. It was own. od i»v Air P. Milieu, of AYaiaupa, but had been unoccupied for some time. The insurances are not available. CANADIAN MOTOR FIRAI NOT CLOSING. AVELLINGTON, April 26. Cabled news published in New Zealand on April 19, indicated that various Canadian factories were closing down, duo to the reduction in the import duties announced in the Canadian Budget. Amongst the factories mentioned were Dodgo Brothers, Canada, Ltd., of Toronto, Ontario. Now Zealand dealers cabled Toronto, asking if there was any truth in the cabled report published. They have since received cabled advice direct from tho factory announcing that their Canada plant is still operating at full capacity.

CYGNET INQUIRY. WELLINGTON, April 26

At the Cygnet inquiry, the master’s certificate was returned. He was ordered to pay half the costs of the inquiry.

RAILAVAY SUBSIDY. AVELLINGTON, April 27

Tn connection with a discussion on tho subsidy system for railway lines, wheih show a loss on running, it is pointed out that the amount payable from the Consolidated Fund to reimburse the Railway Department in tho ease of non-paying branch lines, is to he worked out on definite lines of accountancy, checked by the Treasury and certified by the Audit Department. It is a subsidy to cover the ascertained losses on certain uncommercial lines, specified in t-lic regulations, and not as has been suggested merely a cheque drawn on the Consolidated Fund by the railway’s accountant, to make good such sums as ho finds himself short of. UNEMPLOYMENT IN CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, April 27. -T': v unemployment cases in Clirist.■hurch arc heart breaking.” said Coun..u, : Sullivan n't yesterday's meeting in ihe (j; v Council. AY ben uinetyIhire applications were received for .one mb as an ait.-udam.. it " n,) " to a man will, a wife and iun6 Boren who were uii under thirteen. Vv bank falls on CArmiF-n. PUKEKOHE. April 26. At AYainku yesterday'* Leslie Dyke, carrier, of Alauku, met with a serious accident. He was getting a load of sand from a bank, 20ft high, which collapsed, completely burying Dyke. He was extricated and sent to the AYainku Hospital. His injuries are not yet" fully diagnosed. The lorry was considerably (Damaged.