DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) A TIPSY .MOTORIST. WELLINGTON. Oct. 20. Realising that he was under the influence of liquor, Walter Frederick Marris parked liis car last evening, but remaining in it, he was found by the police, and this morning was fined C’o with three months’ suspension of IDs driving license. THEFT FROM A CAR. WELLINGTON, Oct. 20.

A fireman. William O'Keefe, with a criminal record, was given three months’ imprisonment to-day, for theft from a motor ear of a suitcase and contents, valued at CIS, the property ol Dr R. C. Bagg.

R E SID ENC ES BURGLED. CHRISTCHURCH. Oct. 21

Within the past few weeks a number of suburban residences in Christchurch have been broken into during the absence of the occupants and furniture and furnishings stolen in a daring manner. Carpets, bedding and various other articles which could have been removed easily in a motor ear mostly, have been taken, hut in some cases houses have been practically stripped of everything except heavy pieces of furniture*. Tn one ease n home which a young couple wore furnishing prior io marriage, was almost denuded of its contents.

HINEMOA’S RETURN. AUCKLAND, Oct. 21

The Government steamer Hinemoa arrived from Norfolk Island at 0.30 this morning, having completed the round trip in record time, six days (i hours 20 minutes. Off the Bay nf Islands the Hinemoa yesterday evening, ran into a school of whales and was touched on the stern a glancing blow from the tail of one. An officer say she saw over thirty whales on the return voyage. SAMOA APPEAL DISMISSED. WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. In the Samoan ease before the Court of Appeal (October 10th) the appeal was dismissed. In the Samoan case, the judgment of Justices Sim. Ilerdman, Reed and Adams was delivered by Justice Sim to the effect: (1) That Samoa Act. 1921. w;is not ultra vires, to powers of the Legislature of New Zealand ; (2) That New Zealand and not the King was tile mandatory under the mandate given by the League of Nations; (3) That the term “Government of New Zealand” as used in the mandate means the Parliament of New Zealand; (4) That the Samoa Offenders’ Ordinance of 1922 was not repugnant to the Samoan Act 1921.

Justice Ostler dissented from the above judgment, holding tile Ordinance was, in fact, repugnant to the Act of 1921.

THE GRAFT CHARGES

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20

Fall astonished the Court when lie arose and pleaded a point in his own defence. Fall asked Justice Sitldons to allow the former Assistant Secretary for the Interior Finney, on the stand

to answer questions on cross-examina-tion b.v defence lawyers, relating to interior department leases, made previous to the Teapot Dome lease. Fall’s move created a sensation which apparently surprised Sinclair and lawyers lor both defendants, as much as the Government.

Siddons listened, hut reminded Fall he had capable counsel. Fall disregarded the court and continued speaking for five minutes. Siddons denied Falls’ plea, whereupon the latter resumed his seat. Falls’ object had been to obtain testimony from Finney that Teapot Dome lease was not surrounded by undue secrecy, because competitive bidding for such leases was not always customary. ’I bus another impoi tautpoint was lost by the defence.

FINED £5. CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 21. At tho Magistrate’s Court. Henry Van A sell, a solicitor, charged with negligent driving and failure to report an accident, on the first charge was fined £5 and costs and on the second one was dismissed. appeal court judgment. WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. In a ease before the Appeal Court, the Meat Producers’ Board v. Consoler and Auditor-General (October 14th) the Court found the Board had been in operation five years and that its work had resulted in a general reduction of prices of meat. The Court was of the opinion that the Board had power to purchase land in London to erect stores and to erect such stores as it thought, fit if that action would further the objects of the Board, namely, the reduction of the prices. Tb" Court th"«a.ht the Board di?l not come under the heading of Companies formed for the purpose of gain and that, its objects were in the economic, interests of New Zealand. The Court was of opinion, however, that the Board had no power to borrow or mortgage its property other than that prescribed under the Finance Act. wherein it is proscribed that the consent of the Minister of Finance is necessary. The Court ordered that each party was liable for its own costs.