DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. CHARGE AGAINST MOTORIST. HA VERA, March 3. Ocorgc ('. E. Smith, who was remanded last week on charges of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car, and negligent driving, thereby causing an injury to Alillicent Elizabeth Hitcher, was further remanded when charged to-day with causing the death of Hitcher, who died in the hospital on February 25th., following her being discovered unconscious on the roadway near Aloloiu. CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE HAMILTON, March 3. Raymond Charles Giflord was acquitted on the charge of driving negligently. anil causing the death of Leslie Spencer. Leave to appeal was granted. Mr Justice Blair pointed out that the law on the question of contributory negligence in such cases was unsatisfactory. and he would appreciate a ruling of fho Full Court on the matter. fatal shooting BLENHEIM, March P>. James Arthur Martin, married, with one child, a cabinet-linker by I rude, w “ toinid at the workshops in Hutrh<■'"ll St. hi>t night in a dying condition. having shot himself in the head with a pcarifle. lie died en route to the hospital. FillF. ST TAYLORYILLE GREYMOUTH, March fi. A lire at Taylor' ille early this morning ihMrovcd the stock and shop owned ami occupied by Percy G. Low. draper. The building was uninsured, hut the stock was insured for £!()():) in the New Zealand Office. Low estimates his loss over insurance at £BOO. OILFIELDS REPORT. GISBORNE. .March (I. Taranaki oilfields report states Gisborne Nn 1 well U to a depth ol 2120 foot in shale. S', inch diameter easing to 211)0 foot. Gisborne No 2 well con I fact for erection of a rig is completed, titul tiny are now sending in a crew to complete the installation of machinery, lines and light. IMI’ROYIXG OUTLOOK. CHRISTCHURCH, -Mar.-h th Optimism was the keynote ol the discussion at lust night’s meeting of the Council of the Canterbury ('hambo r of Commerce, when a mot Ton was passed that the rhuil'man of the Associated hanks he approached with a request that the hanks reduce ilieir iiierilruft rates. I lie speakers stated that the trade of the country was now improving and that there was a belter outlook for the future, HEAVY RAIN. GISBORNE. M•ircii li. A northerly gale set in yesterday and brought heavy rain. 2.20 inches being registered at (lisborne amt amuch as seven inches lurther north towards East Cape. Some coast road' are blocked lo all traffic. No serious damage is reported. billiard SALOON KKEI’ER fined STRATFORD, March (>. At the Magistrate's Court. Heaton Clyde Burgess, manager o! a billiard saloon, was titled L’i 10s tor keeping ihe saloon op.cn when required t" he , losed. ( oustahlcs visited the saloon ~, JO •>:; (l |, recoin Sunday morning, and loniid two men on Hie premises, (in ;i charge of permit ting a game ol , ; ln !s he was , mien ted tMtlmnl pen alls . engineering trade. AI 'CKL AN D. March 0. Trad" Engineering Industries has I ..ecu uli-at i.-Jurtoi'v during the pa -l year, said 11. V. Warner i I’residenl of ill,. New Zealand Ironmasters’ Fe deration I to-day, in moving an adoption of the report at the annual Dominion Conference which opened today, Many lines, which could and should be ninnufncured here are being imported at prices with which it is im | mssi I, le Inrns lo compete. Itow ever, good prices are now being secured for farming produce and give promise of improved trade as the money comes into circulation. lit Auckland the operations of the apprenticeship committee have been confuted to patching up ilillerenees between nppienthes and employers, but should any question of principle he involved. it. is quite possible a deadlock would creur. So far there has been lelt no great benefit from last year's amendment to the Art, abolishing n district quota of apprentices as from February. This may he put down to general slackness of trade hut when business revives tile ability of each employer to take on a full individual quota of apprentices "ill ho a distinct advantage. The engineering trade award expires in June and the most important business of the emiference concerns the attitude to be taken by the Federation regarding any

applications tor new awards h.v flic unions. supreme court. GISBORNE. March G. Addressing the Grand Jury al the opening oi the Supreme ( oiiil. Justice Ostler commented upon the manlier in which motorists were sometimes brought before Court on charges of manslaughter, when little or no evidence of negligence was presentej. lie points out that motorists had the right to Use the roads and the mere fact that a fatality occurred did not itself justify their prosecution on a criminal charge. I here seemed to be an inclination on the part of the police to prosecute in all such eases, he said, and Magistrates refused to take the responsibility ol throwing the eases out. lid' w.i' where the Grand Jury was usetul. and no man should he toned lo Cue a trial unless there wa- a prima fact" ease against him. Referring specit i the manslaughter charges before ill- Court his Honour expressed the opinion that there was 110 evidence that the fatalities were other than pure accidents, and that there had been any neglect on the l»» * Hie motorists. The Grand Jury returned a no bill > in both manslaughter charges arising nut of motor fatalities. GREYMOUTH. March l>. \t the Supreme Court to-day I'.ras- * nuts Arthur Jones, alias Arthur Ed- ' ward Jones, was found guilty of "»>" I cent assault on two charges .... males at Greymouth. He was remanded t.l to-morrow tor sentence. William Jamieson, charged "’.th ns satilting dohn Thomas Hutterwo.th a S N.mhere. was found not guilty. Mr lustice Adams, commenting <m tin ’■ I evidence which showed the part.es eon 'I corned in the ease were drinking m . NVahore hotel after eleven o clock on ? Sundae night, snul he thought . II t;uts ought to lie hrought under th notice of the Licensing Committee.