DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,

FAIRNESS OE BRITISH JUSTICE AUCKLAND. Fob. 8.

“I want to point a moral from this case to show you how fair British. justice is,” said Mr Justice Reid in the Supreme Court to-day, prior to discharging the jury empanelled in the ease in which William Henry Swift Barton, aged (>5, was charged with breaking and entering a residence and stealing cutlery and clothing valued at £ll Ids. It was also alleged that Barton had received an overcoat knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained.

Alter a retirement of about 20 minutes the jury returned to intimate that it could not agree. " 1 am sorry, gentlemen.” said his Honour. ” but the law does not permit me to release you' for four hours.” Later his Honour recalled the jury to enquire whether he could assi.-t them. “ The position is that a certain number of member's ol the jury believe accused's story, lint a small minority does not,” said the foreman. He asked whether the minority would be jiistilied in sacrificing its opinion on account of tlie prisoner's age. On his Honour expressing bis opinion in the aliirmative. the loreman said In' could at once give the jury’s verdict as one of nut guilty.

•‘The prisoner can be discharged,” said his Honour. Turning to the jury be l ben remarked upon the fairness ol British justice. “ Probably had the iurv known the record of accused it Mould not have been impressed by bis age,” he said. " lie has lived on crime for 21 years, but we were not allowed to tell you that before." A member of the jury: I wanted to ask that question, your Honour, but I was not allowed. His Honour: Oh. no! We could not tell you that. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. WELLINGTON, Fob. 8. The Rev. David Caldcr who, accompanied by Mrs (.'aider, will leave on Friday for Palestine and London, was entertained at luncheon to-day bv members of the Dominion Council of the British and Foreign BilHe Society, of which lie is general secretary. There were about twenty present, including representatives from the four Dominion centres. Mr (I. A. Troup (the Mayor), who presided, welcomed the members from the other centres, saying that while in Pale-tine. Mr ('aider would act as a New Zealand representative on the International Mission Council. .Later, in London, he would do work in connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society. On behalf of those present., lie presented .Mr ('abler with a camera in a leather case.

UNREST DYING DOWN. CHRISTCHURCH, Fell. 9

"From what I hear tilings are gradually quietening down in Samoa now that the agitators have gone and I hope the public will soon see the wisdom of the measures wo took." said the Don Mr NosWortby to a ‘‘Press” reporter last evening. Mr Nelson, in bis latest reply to Mr Coates, bail tried. Hut. vainly, to make Ins sulc appear right, said Mr Noswortliy. His slandering of those who ordered his banishment recoiled upon himself, am! only prejudiced his case, if indeed lie had one. in the eyes of the Now Zealand public, whom lie seamed anxious to enlighten.

VETERINARY CASK DECISION WHAXGARKI. Fch. 8.

In delivering judgment in the ease Police v. Hugh Seallv, who was charged yesterday with illegally describing himself as a veterinarian. Mr F. 11. Lovien. S.M.. after reviewing the ease said: ”1 do not- think it advisable in the present ease to comment further upon the advertisement referred to than to state that, no amount of violence in the reading of Section 1-1 of the Veterinary Surgeons’ Registration Act could lead to the conviction of defendant. The information was dismissed with costs against the police. OBITUARY. ROTORUA. Feb. 8. The death is announced of Air Andrew Ernest Kusah.s, aged CO. one of Rotorua’s oldest citizens, and a pioneer of the timber industry, lie leaves a widow and three sons. MUTT ROAD BUSES. WELLINGTON, Eel). 8. As the outcome of negotiations with the proprietors of the main motor-bus tleet.s onorating on the Hutt read, the Railway Department is to have practically a monopoly of the bus service between Wellington and the Hull. If the deal is concluded, and the indications are said to he that it will he. the Department will control about do buses which previously competed with its suburban railway (service. Only one private-owned service, the six buses of which do not run a full-time service, will remain on the ron'd.

The acquisition of the additional buses is in accordance with the Department’s policy of buying out- competitive private enterprise 'hits services where it is considered certain that these can be run tit a- profit by tlie Department. The fares will not he altered ami it is understood that the present staffs will be retained. INVESTITURE OF GOYERXORG FIXER A L: CHRISTCHURCH. Eeb. 9. The most important event ol the year in Masonic circles is the installation of the Grand Master of the Order. the ceremony of installation usually taking place in November, when the annual Communication of AJasonic Grand Lodge is held and officers appointed for the ensuing year.

At the present time the office of Grand Afaster is held by his Excellency the Governor-General, for Charles Fergusson, Bart., who was unanimously re-elected Grand Master at the annual Convocation hold in Christchurch last November. Unfortunately, his Excellency was unable to attend the Convocation owing to illness and his installation and investiture therefore had to he postponed till this month.

The ceremony took place last evening in the Afasonic Temple. Gloucester stret. in tlie presence of a large and representative gathering of Freemasons from all parts of the Dominion. Af.W. Bro J. J. Don gall. Past Grand Afaster, acting as Installing Grand Master for The occasion. Following liis installation the Grand Afaster. in accordance with the usual custom, briefly addressed the brethren mi matters I'elsiting to the Croft.