DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

NIGHT RACING. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 3. In his annual report, read to-night at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Associations, the President (Mr D. F. Dennehv) advocated night trotting meetings. He suggested such meetings would be popular and that they would give trainers an opportunity of giving young horses race experience. A half mile track, he said, might ho built on the Show Grounds for the purpose. He thought lion-totalisator meetings might lie held at first, but later it might he possible to get permits.

LAW CLERK COMMITTED. CHRISTCHURCH. Nov. 3. Samuel Phoenix Briggs, aged -12, law clerk, was to-day committed for trial by Mr Mosley, 5.. M., on charges of stealing £33/ from monies belonging to an estate. Briggs pleaded not guilty and conducted his own defence. Evidence was given by the Crown witnesses that several sums received hv Briggs were not accounted for, and also of certain admissions Briggs was alleged to have made that bo bad taken the moneys wrongfully. Briggs, it was stated, also had made promises to repay the money.

Waldegrave J. Cracroft Wilson, solicitor, said that accused was employed by him as clerk ; the terms of employment being that Briggs was to receive one-third of the profits. Briggs came to witness and said he had a shortage in connection with this estate.

Detective Thomas stated that in the course of a statement made to him, Briggs said gambling was his downfall.

HUSBAND SAW RED. WHVNGAREI, Nov. 3. There was a dramatic sequel to a ease heard in the M'liangarei Magistrate’s Court on Monday, when the wife of John Thomas, a half-breed Portuguese, railway surfaceman, was granted a separation, together with the custody of her children and C2 Jos a week maintenance, was heard before Mr F. H. Levien, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-dav.

At the conclusion of Monday’s case Thomas went home, and did not see his wife until Wednesday between 1 and 2 p.m. when he met her on the Taipuha Station, and finding she proposed taking some of her furniture away, threw her on Hie ground mid tried In strangle her. The position was lieeoming serious when three strangers rushed up and dragged Thomas away from his wife, who had become black in tbe face. Thomas then rushed to the house, where he demolished over £.300 worth of furniture. even pulverising the cutlery in his demoniacal fury. Gazing at the ruins, a sudden remorse must have seized him. for he got on the train for Whan garie immediately, and going to the Police Station gave himself. He admitted that he “saw red,” and said he was afraid lie would murder his wife if lie saw her again. Til sentencing accused to three month’s hard labour. His Worship remarked it would provide an opportunity to have prisoner placed under observet-

Dtiring the hearing. Constable Bong telephoned from Mnungaturoto and said that Thomas had assaulted another woman, and probably several other charges against the prisoner are pending.

tax ox petrol. AUCKLAND. Nov

Representatives of trades interested in the proposed petrol tax of -tel B gallon met at the invitation of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, to formulate a united complaint-. Among the interests represented were tbe dairy industry. Motor Trade Association, Carriers’ Association, the Auckland Electric Power Board, two omnibus services, and a launch firm.

A resolution was carried objecting to the additional burden of the 4d tax. and suggestion that opposition would not he raised to a. reasonable rate, provided the revenue was entirely devoted to roads, and that substantial relief avis provided in respect to other taxes. The meeting added its opinion that, in view of the expenses and difficulty with claims lor petrol exemptions, the tyre tax was a preferable source of revenue.

The Executive of the Chamber of Commerce will meet in the morning to consider the position as indented by the large consumers of petrol.

RECORD OF FIFTY YEARS SERVICE. NELSON, Nov. 3

A unique event took place at Nelson to-day when Mr Phillip Best, Chairman of the AVaimea County Council, was accorded :l civic reception, and presented with rui. illuminated address and purse of sovereigns, in recognition of the city’s and district’s appreciation of his fifty years’ sterling service on most of the public bodies. The Municipal Chandlers were crowded.

THE KA IT UNA RIVER OPENED ROTORUA, Nov. 4.

The formal opening by the removal of tapu from the new cut at Ongatoro, giving access to Kaituna river to the sen, by an old reopened channel took place yesterday. Representatives of all Arana triples, Arawu Trust Board and Kaituna River Board were present. A thousand people were present and theic was a great tribal enthusiasm. The Chairman of the Kaituna River Boaid formally declared the cut open, launches motoring over the bar under lings stretched across the river. A big Imiiquet of many speeches followed. Telegrams from the Premier and Sir A. X gat a were read at at the opening with congratulations and hopes of the success of the project.

INQUEST VERDICT

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 4

“That deceased met his death on Sept. loth, at Kirwoe. the cause of death being a fracture of the skull and laceration of the brain, received in mi accident when ridng in a motor car. which collided with the Arthur's PassCliristchurch train, such car being driven by Arthur Lionel Stewart, and that the driver of the tram gave the usual signals, hut Mr Stewart apparently. neglected to observe tbe oncoming train, and drove in front of it.” This was tbe verdict returned by Coroner H. P. 1 .awry at the inquest on Henrv Weir, who was killed in a crossing smash near Kirwoe. CABS DUEL. WELLINGTON. November 4.

Another phase of tiie duel between Black and White Cabs Coy and other ear owners, accused of imitating the companies colours was before the Supreme Court when for the third time Edward Stanford appeared, this time to answer a charge of contempt of Court, in not complying with the order to paint his cab drifferently. Judge MacGregor committed him to prison for two months hut suspended the sentence for a month to give accused another chance, counsel for the company agreeing to this course, if the cab is repainted and costs paid within that time.