DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

A CLAIM DENIED. AUCKLAND, Oct. 7. A remarkable case was heard by Mr Page, S.M. in which Henry Thomas Shepherd sought to recover with interest £ICO alleged to have been lent by him to Austin Harry Paul. Shepherd said ho went into a hairdressing saloon where Paul was employed and showed Paul a £10,9 note, .saving you don’t see many of these. Paul asked to see the note and pocketed it. He proceeded to shave the customer. Witness knowing Paul well, did not liosi- i tate to leave the note with him, but when, lie later asked for it, Paul declined claiming it as part payment of I witness’ share in a property deal, which deal witness repudiated. Mr Page, after hearing the evidence, I said the whole weight of evidence was I strongly in favour of the defendant’s I story and gave judgment for Paul with costs.

DIED FROM GUN-SHOT WOUNDS NAPIER, Oct. 7. A Maori, Percy Rangi, died at the Napier Hospital as the result of gunshot wounds, accidentally received, at Teliaroto last Tuesdnv.

CUSTOMS TARIFF PROTEST.

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 7. At a meeting of Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, together with representatives of wine and spirit, soft goods merchants that the Chamber views with grave alarm tho provisions of Clause 14 of the Customs Amendment Act, giving such unlimited powers to Collectors of Customs, which may indict such unworkable and unknown hazardous conditions and liability upon j importers and traders. We urgently lequest that the legislation be delayed to allow of time for the views of mer- I chants, importers and those interested. I to be placed before Government.

SWIMMING COUNCIL OHinSTCHURCJI, Oct. 7. At a meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Council, rules were amended to provide that a competitor in a race shall have the option of touching either the top or the end of tho bath when finishing; and also to provide that in future New Zealand records made in fresh water shall bo recognised as separate from salt water records.

Tho report on educational work for the season 1926-27 stated, that it was again possible to record a remarkable increase in the Association’s work among school children. Certificates issued to school children' for proficiency in swimming during the past season, totalled 10,458, the second largest total in the history of the Association and 3977 more than last year.

CHINESE ESTATE. AUCKLAND, Oct. 7. Justice Stringer gave a reserved decision on the action regarding the estate of George Ghee, a Chinese merchant in which the principal creditor is Low King, of Wellington, it partner of the deceased in carrying oil a. club for playing Fan Tail, which is an illegal game. He claimed £539 4s Gd as his share of the profits. There were also claims by four other creditors.

It was stated during the hearing that there was £SOO owing to Europeans for goods supplied. It was claimed by counsel for the Public Trustee that the illegality-of the gaming business put the claimant’s claims out of Court.

His Honour gave judgment for all the plaintiffs but made it clear that there was no suggestion of improper action by tlio Public Trustee in bringing the matter to the Court. Finding the assets insufficient for the liabilities bo elected to administer the estate ns in bankruptcy. If the action had to be determined as in an action between creditor and deceased to recover moneys due. the Trustee’s object would bo thought fatal upon the ground that to permit snob an action would be contrary to public policy, but in his Honour’s opinion those principles wore not applicable where an estate was being administrated under the laws of bankruptcy, and the administrator was an officer of the Court. Chinese business men were, as a- rule, scrupulously honest, and in his opinion it won id be deplorable if an officer of the. Court should be allowed to do what a Chinaman whose estate he was administering would, had lie lived, have scorned to l do. Proof of the creditors claim was accordingly admitted.

POLL INVALID. GISBORNE, Oct. 7. On the ground that a poll should have been taken on electors as a wliolo and not on the ratepayers only, the second poll, which resulted in the proposal to discontinue the Gisborne Tramways being carried, was upset by Mr Levvy, S.M. this morning. The first poll of ratepayers was upset on a technical point and the second was taken on last year, resulting in the favour of "the discontinuance of the tram. A second appeal was then lodged and the decision on this was adjourned several months ago, pending a decision in a case believed to have been referred to the Court of Appeal, but which now transpired is not going forward. The ruling of Justice Herdman, therefore stood, stated Mr Levvy, that the poll should have been on the general body of electors. In this case, therefore, he must find that the poll being taken on the ratepayers only was invalid. The Magistrate allowed £G Gs costs to the petitioners.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) THEFT OF SHEETLEAD WELLINGTON, October 6. Found guilty of the theft of 6001 b of sheetlead, Archibald West, 56 and Edward Clarence Brimfield, alias Watson, 36 each got three months to-day. Georgo Leslie Morris, carpenter, 30 a third party to the offence, was remanded til to-morrow for sentence. ALLEGED THEFT. INVERCARGILL, Oct. 7. At the Police Court Ernest Maxim Gilrnour, formerly an accountant, was charged with stealing £750, the property of the late Emily Clark. The police stated there was a possibility tlie amount involved would be inereas-1 ed. He was remanded for a week on hail of £3OO. An application for the I suppression of his name was refused.