DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1927, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) A YOUTH’S. ESCAPADE. OA.MARU. Dec. 5. Finding himself stranded in Christchurch, an Invercargill youth, aged 17, decided to return home. His journey was quickly terminated last night, when he strolled into the police station and asked for a lied, for he w as charged with converting a car to his own use ami w ilfully damaging the name. Accused, it is stated by the police, had been living in Christchurch for several weeks, and deciding to return south, sot out cm Saturday for Hakaia. At the latter place he secured a bicycle on which he rode to Chcrtsey, where he abandoned the cycle. It is alleged that accused then took possession of it motor-car and proceeded on his journey, hut approaching Timartt a collision with a bridge set him afoot again, till a passing motorist gave him a lift. Yesterday morning another hicvc'iO provided ;i moans oi continuing hi.s journey, lmt apparently mistaking the road, he landed at Ktirow, forty miles from Oamaru. From Kurow ho secured a lift into Oamaru, and at nine o'clock last night walked into the police station and asked where he could get a bod. Inquiries by the constable on duty resulted in charges being laid against the youth of converting and damaging a ear.

BUSINESS MEN'S PARTY. WELLINGTON. Dec. 3. A meeting of Wellington business ii,nd professional men has been held to discuss plans for actively interposing in the political field as a protost against the Government's policy of interference w ith commcrf ini matters. Tims? concerned are Wellington residents, hut it is intended to hold similar meetings in Auckland. Christchurch and Dunedin.

It lias been resolved to make an elicit, to secure as candidates for the next general election men hostile to Socialistic legislation or any interference with private business, the approver! candidates not being pledged to any party.

GOS T OF LIVING. WELLINGTON. Dec. A. The Government Statistician's report statis that it now takes £1 1:1s 2Jd on the average to purchase what £1 could in July, Kill. Expenditure on food constitutes somewhat less than t»'niiflhs of the expenditure of the average household. A I’ROINTMENT DENIED. DUNEDIN, Dee. 5. Asked this morning whether he was accepting an appointment to the Supreme Court lien.-It. as forecasted in some quarters, Mr d. I!. Callan said that the rumours connecting his name with such an appointment were quite without foundation.

IMMIGRANTS ARRIVE. AUCKLAND. Dee. A. The Homrata arrived from ,Southampton at nine o'clock to-night, with 123 immigrants, of whom thirtv-six are for Auckland and fitty-ono for Wellington. NIGHTINGALES ARRIVE. AUCKLAND. Dec. A. Four English nightingales, the first ever brought to the Southern Hemisphere. arrived in Auckland last evening on the Aorangi. They have been brought from London by Air Angus Wilson, and are the gift of David Garnett, the author, who has expressed the wish that the bird which has inspired so many English poets and writers may be induced to sing amid our ‘■fields of alien corn.”

TROTTING HORSE DEAL. HAMILTON, Dec. 0

A case of unusual interest, arising out ol a speculation in the purchase of a trotting horse by a Hamilton motor salesman, came before Air Justice Hmillion in the Supreme Court, when Alfred AVill inm F.bbett took proceedings against Robert Young of Alatamata .to recover £ IGO general, and ,£lO special damages, on the grounds of alleged fraudulent misrepresentation, and alternatively alleged a ‘ breach of "a mi n try on the sale ol a trotting horse called Bingen Bell. The evidence of trainers and the promise given bv the horse was conflicting, while apparently there was a misunderstanding as to the price originally paid for the horse, in the negotiations by Kbbott for purchase. Judgment was given for defendant.

ATTEMPTED AIURDER. WELLINGTON. Dec. (i

Alleged to have attempted murder and ilo grievous bodily barm to a native girl, named Non. at Rarotongaon November 4th, Gavin John Allan, ship’s storekeeper. 23. appeared on remand to-day, when Chief Detective M ard stated it would bs some time bolore the papers in connection with the charge could he received at AVellington. but accused had offered voluntarily to go to Raratonga to face the charge, fn these circumstances, a remand till to-morrow would be asked, accused to he placed aboard the Afnkura when she sailed this afternoon. The remand was made accordingly.

DRIVER’S NELTGENCE. WELLINGTON. Dec. 0.

Arising out of a collision on the Hutt Pond between tin buses, the Eastbourne Borough Council, as operators of one bus. claimed damages £2O. against A. Tj. Cotterell, operator of the other. Evidence showed that the defendant's driver should have pulled to the left, to give more room, and not hugged the bitumen, which he was alleged to have done. The Magistrate held that the defendant’s driver showed negligence in attempting to pass a lorry when a has was approaching. He found for plaintiffs, because in the circumstances existing it had been shown that plaintiff could by exercise of reasonable care and skill have avoided defendant’s vehicle.