DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESB ASSOCIATION J

THEFT OF CHEQUES. NEW PLYAIOCTIf, June 8.

A deaf and dumb young man, w hose name was suppressed, and who was.said (o he of subnormal mentality, was charged at the Police Court to-da.v with tho theft of 74 cheques from a second hand dealer, and with uttering n forged cheque for five guineas by means of signs.

A detective had learned from the accused that the hitter had secured a key and entered the second-hand shop and extracted cheques from the drawer. He presented t a > t 1 a grocer, and received goods and e:-!i. His father destroyed the remaining cheques.

( ounsel's suggestion was that no (•used he committed to a suit aide institution in view of his weakness. Thiwas adopted by the .Magistrate.

SHOT Ills BROTHER. OAMAIU7, June 8. As the outcome of a quarrel between two brothers, Alan and Herbert Synion, on Afny 28th. the former, aged 17) years stood in the dock at the Magistrate's Court to-day. charged with attempting to murder his brother, whom received a bullet from a pen rifle in the neck. The evidence showed that the accused’s mentality was subnormal. and that he was subject to fits of violent temper. AVliile being searched at the Polio Station flic accused is alleged to have said : “l have often told him he would get something like this. He is .stronger than tho rest of us, and is a'\ pulling us,about.”

Tll behalf of the accused. Mr A Hamilton pleaded guilty, hut the .Magistrate, Mr IT. AV. Bundle, sail 1 that, in view of the accused's menial condition, he would enter a plea of not guilty. Air Bundle added that he would recommend the Minister of Justice to' have the accused placed under observation at a Mental Hospital in the meantime, and committed him for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Oamaru.

THEFT CHARGES. DUNEDIN, June S. Alchael Joseph Shannon, a young man. \\ i lll several previous convictions, who was brought from 'Wellington yesterday. and was charged before J. R. Bartholomew, S.AI.. this 111-ril-ing. xsitli having secreted lobnee > in the Dunedin Prison. Shannon was also charged with theft of nine bottles of whisky, a glass, and cigarettes, of a value of £3, and £3 in money, the properly of Ellen Catherine Metcalf. Both charges were admitted. The licensed was released from prison on April !•>, after serving a sentence for theft. I hat evening lie went lo the hack ot the prison and put some cigarettes through a window, evidently for the purpose ol supplying a prisoner within. On the first charge, accused was lined £2, and 10s costs, or default seven days’ imprisonment. On the second change, ho was sentenced lo three months’ hard labour.

BOY CYCLIST II CRT. NEW RLYAIOI’TII, .Line 9

A collision occurred this morning near the centre of the town between a car driven by Dr. Brown and a cycle ridden by a hoy named A lira in. who was removed to the hospital with a fractured skull and a broken pelvis. His condition is critical.

C'OAI.MITTED FOR TRIAL. PALMERSTON N.. dune 9. At the Police Court, .'lames Wood, aged 86, pleaded guilty and was roinmitteil for sentence when charged with breaking, entering and stealing articles from the dwelling house of Herbert Atkinson. Accused was seen to leave the house by the wife of the owner who informed her husband. I hey later followed the accused until, with help, they apprehended him. The Beneli commended Atkinson for the prompt way he pursued the accused. Otherwise further trouble might have occurred.

TRAGEDY AVERTED. PALMERSTON N.. June 9. While playing on the hank of the Manga one stream yesterday, two children named Terangi, aged three and ahalf and six years respectively, fell into the flooded stream, ’flie cries of the two other children brought rescuers. Jane Terangi, aged 14, who was unable to swim, jumped into tlie Water and was clasped by the elder of the two children who had a hold of the younger child. The rescuer got to the bank, which she clutched hold of, »at the same time supporting the other children until all were rescued in ail exhausted condition. The plucky action of Jane Terangi averted a drowning tragedy. The youngest child was in n very serious state when rescued, but after treatment at a neighbour’s homo revived.

CHARGE DISMISSED. CHRISTCHURCH, June 9

Henry Joseph Morris, an ex-manager of Christchurch Branch of Schneideman and Sons Ltd., was charged today with the theft of 255, the property of the firm. The case was dismissed, after the hearing of lengthy evidence. It was alleged by the prosecution that one receipt had been altered. ’I he Magistrate said there evidently had been carelessness somewhere, but the evidence was insufficient to prove theft.

A GOOD REPORT. AUCKLAND, June 9. John Burke, 25. and John Fenton Toomey, 23. two Australians without work in London stowed away on the Mamari which arrived here yesterday. They were convicted and discharged at the police court to-day. Tho captain spoke highly of both men who worked remarkably long hours when several members of the. crew became ill.