DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1928, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. COURT OF APPEAL. A VERDICT CHALLENGED. WELLINGTON. March 26. The Court of Appeal was engaged this morning in hearing the appeal of the Black and White Cab Company, Ltd., v. Thomas Vernon Anson, of Lower Ilutt, a student. The facts are that on December 25, 11)20. Anson, while proceeding home along the Ilutt Road on his motorcycle, was run down hy a Black and White cab. In consequence of the serious injuries he sustained it became necessary to amputate one of Anson’s legff. Anson then brought an action against the Black and "White Cab Company, claiming CISO7 Gs 2d damages. The action was heard before Mr .Justice MacGregor and a jury of twelve, who found the defendant company guilty of negligence,and awarded £1157 (is 2d damages to plaintiff. The Black and White Cab Company thereupon moved in the Supremo Court to have the above 'judgment set aside, as it was against the weight of evidence, and an order was made lor a new trial. The motion was heard ti.v Afr Justice .MacGregor, who, after stating the law with regard to new trials, said he would not himself, on the evidence, have arrived at the same result as the jury did. but he did not think the circumstances of the case strong enough, or clear enough, to enable him to set aside their verdict as being against the weight of evidence. From tliis judgment appellant company appealed. Air Watson appeared for appellant and AH llislop for respondent. Argument continued all day and the Court adjourned fill to-morrow. A!AN ABSCONDS. AFTER PLEA OF “GUILTY.” NELSON, Arm-eli 27. The only criminal ease set down for the Supreme Court to-day was that in which Ronald Edward Morrison, who had pleaded guilty at. Talcaka to breaking, entering and theft, was to come up for sentence. "When the. case was called in, AH Moynngh, counsel for the accused, said that- ho was afraid that his client had absconded. Counsel went- on to say that lie represented John Frederick Rose, who went bailsman for the bond entered into hy Airs Newlove, the foster mother of the accused. Mrs Newlove, unfortunately, had supplied accused with a sum of money which lie had used to abscond. His Honour: “Has lie loft New Zealand?” Counsel: “f do not think so. T think that he has gone to Christchurch. ’ On the application of Air Moynagh, John F. Rose went into the witness Imx and explained the position and the steps that he (witness) had taken to communicate with the police when he became apprehensive regarding the accused's movements. llis Honour remarked that he conxidorod that, in the eircunislances. the witness had done his host. AH Komnitz. Crown Prosecutor, agreed, and said that- he would not ask for flu' forfeiture of Rose’s bond, hut would do so in the ease of Airs New love. His Honour agreed to this course, and made orders accordingly. The accused had been released on hail of self in £IOO and two recoguaisanees of £75 each.

FATAL CAMP ACCIDENT. CHRISTCHURCH, March 27. Andrew Neill Henderson, who was left previously wounded in an accidental rille discharge in a mountain camp, -50 miles from Oxlord. on Mondny. was to-day found hy a relief party, which set out from Oxford to bring him home, but Henderson had died of Ids wound. When the accident happened Henderson's companion, Colin Bassett, tended his wound according to first aid principles, and hurried off for help. A party was organised, and with Dr Burnett set out for the camp. This party set out on Monday afternoon, hut missed the track, andwore walking till three o’clock this morning. Another party who went in from another direction arrived at the camp during the night, hut found Henderson dead. So rough is the country, and so difficult the task, that the men are not expected to bring the body out until to-day. BOY’S DEATH. PAHTATUA. March 27. The death occurred this afternoon, after much suffering, of a 15-year-old lad, Leslie Wilfred Murphy, the only sou of Afrs AY. E, Murphy, widow of Tyndall Street. The deceased was a victim injured in an explosion in the science room of tlie Pahiatua District High School on February Gth. last, during a science lesson. On that day he was admitted to the hospital with severe- gashes in the abdomen, inflicted bv flying pieces of glass. There-had been several operations during the period, the last one being conducted by a Wellington surgeon, in the interests of the Education Board. INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, March 27. At the Industrial Conference, the only Committee appointed was the Business Committee. consisting of Alessrs Stirling. Williams and Bishop, and Messrs Glover. Mcßrine and Roberts. An address was delivered hy Professor Alurpliy on the Arbitration System. and a paper was read on behalf of the Labour Delegation. Tlie Conference adjourned at .3.-10 n.m. until 10 a.m. to-morrow. The first business before the Conference to-morrow will be the consideration of the report of a Committee apnointed to recommend a Chairman. Once the Chairman is appointed, the Conference can go ahead with the setting u)i of a group of Committees. A number of papers may he read also.