DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CUSTOMS CLERK’S LAPSE i AUCKLAND, Dec. 15. William Patrick Kelleher, 29, clerk, employed by the Customs Department, pleaded guilty to-day to 19 charges of theft of money totalling £941. He was committed for sentence. In a written statement, Kelleher stated that he loaned a man L7O eighteen months ago, on condition that it was repaid next morning. He did not receive the money hack, the man subsequently saying lie bad a witness to prove that Kelleher bad not given him the £7O. also accusing the latter oi dishonest acts while gauging on the wharf. Afraid of being exposed, Kelleher repeatedly paid him sums of money since from the Customs cash, and by juggling the figures, managed to balance the books each day.

INFANT FATALLY POISONED. AUCKLAND, Dec. 15. Through drinking from a bottle of sulphuric acid which be found in a cowshed. George Pratten, agc<l 3J years, son of Mr George Pratten, of fluima (near Papakura) was fatally poisoned. The boy was immediately treated, and showed improvement, but later collapsed and died.

CHILD KILLED TSY LOPPY. WELLINGTON. Dec. 15.

Pamela Martin, aged 5 years, who resided at 20, Nelson Ft. Pc,tone, died in the Public Hospital at 5 p.m. to-day. from injuries received through being knocked down by a lorry in Adelaide Pond.

Deceased, who was visiting her grandmother. Mrs Emma Louisa Stander, 10 Myrtle Crescent, in company with another child and ALs Stander. was alighting from a tram at the Brown St. stop in Adelaide Bond, where she -darted from her grandmother's side and ran straight into a tramway lorry which was being driven in the direction of the City. The rear right-hand wheel passed over her. Deceased was taken to the Hospital, and was found to be suffering from scalp wounds, concussion and internal injuries. Death took place an hour after admission. CHAPGE OF ASSAULT. GISBORNE, Dec. 15.

On a charge of indecent assault on a little boy, a .seventen-year-old youth named Percy Baggett, appeared at Court to-day and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. A second charge was laid against accused of an alleged indecent assault on an eleven-vear-old girl, but although events leading up to the alleged offence to a certain point were described by the girl, she then denied every question. At length, in answer to the -Magistrate’s* question, “Has anyone frightened you?” the girl replied, in the affirmative, and said her mother bad.

The police said the mother bad told the constable that she would skin the girl alive if she said anything. The Magistrate commented on the seriousness of the offence, but the mother could not be found near the Court. The boys concerned in the previous case, described the alleged offence, of which they said they wore eyewitnesses. Accused was committed for trial . PRISONER ESCAPES FROM HOSPITAL. AUCKLAND, Dec. 15. Tn connectioii with tTie charge ol escaping from custody preferred against Robert .Tames Bryden, aged 39, the Prison Superintendent said that as a result of ail injury to bis heel, prisoner bad to attend the, Auckland Hospital as mi out-patient. He escaped from the hospital. Warder Pov Smith said that ho took Brydon to the Hospitol on December 2nd. When returning prisoner requested leave to go to the lavatory. This was granted, but prisoner did not return. When witness entered the lavatory he found prisoner had escaped through the window. Sergt Cruiokshnnk gave evidence as to arresting Brydon. Accused laid said: “It was the result of an impulse. T could not say what came over me to do it.” He admitted lie bad been well treated ill prison.

Prisoner pleaded tr. Milty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. KSCAPK FROM MOUNT FDFX. AXTCKLiAXI). Dec. 15. Charges arising out <f the recent escape of two prisoners, both habitual criminals, were heard in t c Police Court. William Henry Grant, aged 33. was charged with escaping from 'Mount F.den Gaol, and with assulting. Warder .fohn Booth. Warder Booth, in evidence, said he was making l*.is usual rounds at 1--I* l a.m. on December 7th. and while he was closing a wicket gate at one ontranee. Grant rushed ii'oiu a rcooss, close to the gate, and witness received a, blow on the left side of his head. He saw Grant for a fraction of a second and he appeared to have a wooden trestle in Ids hand. Piisoiier was employed in the bakehouse at the time. Another warder gave evidence as to finding Warder Booth in a dazed condition. and bleeding from a wottitd. ill the head. It was then found that Grant had escaped. Constable Moore described Dig recapture of accused, after a eliase, »n Grey Lynn. . . Accused pleaded guilty to the charge

r>f escape, and was committed to the Supreme Court for seMcnce. He reserved his defence on the assault and \va > committed ior trial.