DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1927, Page 2

DOMINION NEWS.

(I’v Telegraph—Per Press Association.) A SUICIDE. CHRISTCHURCH, July 28. AVitli an open razor beneath ltis body, Alfred Percy Roberlshaw, a billiard saloon proprietor, of Belfast Street, in the City, was found dead this afternoon with his throat cut. 'lhe body was found in Lis billiard saloon. An inquest was opened to-night, but it was adjourned, after identification. Roberlshaw is believed to have been a single man. and on bis body, when found, there was a considerable sum of money.

HARBOUR DUTY SOUGHT. WELLINGTON. July 28. Fol(owing on a recommendation by the Harbours’ Association, the Harbour Board discussed the question oi levying wharfage dues on goods imported by post. The Prime Minister had refused to allow it. Opinions were expressed that while mails should he allowed in free, everything else should pay wharfage. The Chairman said the deputation would shortly interview .Mr Canutes and urge the unfairness of exempting parcels by post. c

AN INCORRIGIBLE. AUCKLAND, July 28

The termination of the trial ot A) il--1 iam Henry Grant, aged .’III, on charges of theft from his employer, had a dramatic turn in the Supreme Court to-day. After the jury had returned a verdict of guilty, counsel for the defence said that about the only point that he could advance was the i’ength of time which had elapsed since the accused’s last offence. v ITis Honour: “ I would better not say anything about it. 1 know it all. The accused has been declared a habitual criminal, and seems to spend most of his life egtting hack into gaol as soon as he gets out.”

Addressing the prisoner, His Honour said: “You have been on license since March of last year. A'ou have had a short interval of liberty. Now you will go hack whence von, came. A’ou will he restored to your status as an habitual criminal', and I think I can promise you will remain there for some considerable time. ’ Remarking that, in such a ease, the fixing of a term of imprisonment was merely formal. His Honour sentenced the accused to three years’ imprisonment.