DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(Ily Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

THEFT OF POULTRY. GISBORNE, Aug. 17

Five charges of rcccivng stolen bowls and ono charge of receiving stolen clothing were preferred against an elderly Maltese, David Nelson, at the Police Court this morning, the cases being a sequel to a recent burglary and thefts. Twenty-five fowls in all had been .stolen from various henhouses. Tiie evidence showed the accused had been selling poultry to local dealers. Accused was committed for trial.

EDUCATION BOA R IF-i PROTEST AUCKLAND. Aug. 17.

The Hoard of Education received a sheaf of correspondence from S' liuol Cmniittccs protesting against any proposal to curtail ill. powers ol the Education Board.. Chairman Burns said he did not think the Board could take formal action as the Minister had neither said imr denied that the Board’s powers would he curtailed. He did not think the Board rank! take action till the. fti 11 was brought down, proposing to abolish the Board’s powers. It was resolved that protests from the Committees on Die subject be sent to the members of Parliament.

REMANDED. XA.PTEE. Aug. 17

John Clarence Hallain and Binstone Joseph Reilly were found guilty at the Supremo Court for causing mischief during a burglary which resulted in the office Hitching lire. They were remanded for sentence.

LIBEL .DAMAGES. DUNEDIN, Aug. 17. An action for alleged false and malicious publication was concluded in tho Supreme Court to-day. Dr Stewart, of Alilton, was tlie plaintiff, and Dr Biggs, of Balelutha, the defendant. It was claimed that at a meeting between the South Otago Hospital Board and a. deputation of Alilton residents. Dr Biggs made certain statements reflecting on Dr Stewart’s professional capacity, and that plaintiff had been injured in lii.s reputation and ill his character, as a result of the pub. lication of till', statements. Plaintiff claimed £SOO damages. The defendant admitted that he spoke the words, but said that this had been done in the discharge of his duty as .Medical Superintendent of the Board, at the Board’s request. They were bona tide, without any malice towards the plaintiff, and in the honest belief that it was the truth, and in reply to the request of the deputation that they, as representing the Milton Board of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and various Friendly Societies, should be informed of the reason why the Board had declined to reinstate the plaintiff as Medical Surgeon of tho Milton. Public Hospital. After lengthy evidence, extending over two. days, a special jury found: (1) That the words complained of by the plaintiff wore defamatory of him in his profession; (2) That the words were not true; (3) That the defendant did not honestly believe them to be true; and (4) That- when the defendant spoke the words he was actuated-: by malice. . ■ F -•~ Plaintiff was awarded' £25 damages for consideration of the action, which was adjourned, and at a subsequent dale the question will he argued ns to whether there was evidence of malice In go to the jury.

LOCAL BODY LOANS. )YELLINGTON. Aug. 17. A meeting of the Local Government Loans Board was held ai the Government Buildings fo-da\. Applications for a sanction of 2(1 loans, totalling £31)6,610 wore considered. Eight loans totalling £39,156 for relief of unemployment were sanctioned; fourteen new loans of £52.705 and two renewal loans for £1.749 were also sanctioned. Two loans for £297,500 were referred hack to the local authorities concerned for re-consideration, and portion of two loans were declined. Special attention was given to the rate of the sinking funds in renewal loans and where a maturing loan had carried no sinking fund. When deciding the. term of loans for roads in country districts, due consideration is given by the Board to the capacity of the rating area, -so that the burden on the ratepayers will not lie too heavy. Where the estimated duration of the works on which loan money is to be expended the Board requires that the loan shall he paid off within a reasonable period.

STRANDED IN SYDNEY. AUCKLAND. August 17. A promise by G. IT. Watts of Kitchener Road. Milford, Auckland, to pay Mrs Ellen Barrow £IOO was an agreement upon which the latter’s counsel yesterday relied, when claiming £165 for money lent. “Watts who is a. settler at. Milford went to Australia with plaintiff, used all her money and left her stranded there,” said Mr Moody. “He signed a-ii acknowledgement of having received tho money from her.” added counsel. Another letter before they went away read:“My darling Nellie—Just- a towlines to say how sorry 1 am in not being able to see you since Friday. You see dear I was in town on Monday morning on business, but I was at home about 1 o’clock and f have’nt been in town since, I shall be home to-morrow night, in fact, I may be in town to-morrow afternoon. If so 1 will call and see you. In case I cannot see you about 2.30 p.ni. will you have a “spot” in for us. Are you ready for sailing this week? Make your mind up. my dear, and let us go. All my love is yours always.— “He lakes" this unfortunate woman to Australia,” said Mr Moody “takes every penny she has. and leaves her then' stranded. He. is now keeping dear of the court, and has not put m an appearance to-day. Mr McLiver: 1 would ask that mo case stand down till 2.15 p.oi. I nu.y he able to soo ui.y elieir... I would like the woman io be here on Mamin.'. Die’s stranded ill Sydney, you give us £75. and Dm will soon he hero.’■ said Mr Moody. Tho case was thru adjourned ml a i.-, When Court resumed there was no appearance of the dotV.uTant. arid Mr M odv said he would U*nc ». poena as he preferred to have defendant present. Tho further hearing was adjourned till Thursday.