DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1928, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association., AFTER NINE YEARS. WAR BONDS THIEF CAUGHT. AUCKLAND. April 12. Nearly nine years ago between July nth and 7th, 1!M!). John William Alcelure (41)) broke into a warehouse in Albert street and stole some valuable war bonds from a safe which he opened in the office. Fm some time while inside lie could not find his way out. However, everything was so easy afterwards. and the window which he entered hv being still open next day he decided to return and steal more money. He left Auckland immediately after the crime aiiti how nearly nine years afterwards the long arm of the law has reached out and gathered him in.

McClure, who was arrested in Wellington by detectives on March 2!)th appeared at the Police Court this morning when ho was charged with breaking into the warehouse of Webb and Co.. Ltd., in Albert street, on ilie dates mentioned above and stealing war bond certificates valued at CICO. five war bond certificates worth Cll) each. 112 in money, and stamps worth L'2. McClure, after the evidence had been hoard, pleadetl not. guilty, but lie subsequently decided to alter bis plea to one of guilty, and was committed for sentence at the Supreme Court.

APTOTNT.M ENTS GAZETTED. WELLINGTON. April 12. Appointments to the Royal \ oliuiteer Naval Reserve (New Zealand Division) are gazetted as follows: I ioiiteuaiits —A. Welsh and I'. Eraser. Paymaster—Lieutenant R. Free. Probationary Lieutenants —11. Donald. I). E. S. Mason, P. G. Connolly and W. IT. Cadwalladcr. Probationary Sub-Lieutenants —L. 1. Paul and E. E. Taylor. Pm bn tiona rv Surgeon- Lieutenants — Drs A. Perry and E. R. Hatty.

SALARIES OF JUDGES. THE CASE FOR AN INCREASE. CHIUSTCH CECIL. April 13. “M a v 1 say in passing." remarked Mr M. Myers (Wellington) at the conference of the legal profession yesterday, in the course of a paper dealing with the outlook of the profession, “that I regret that I was not hero on Wednesday when. I iindcrstnnet. Tin-Attorney-General said that the Government would do nothing m the way of improving the salaries and pensions relating to the judicial office.” iHcar, heal'.)' “Had I been hero,” Mr Myers went on. “T should have said to him what I said ten years ago and more to the powers that then were, that unless something were done to improve the conditions: in relation to the salaries and pensions of judges, the time would cninc when the (lovi niliielit. would he forceil to make some alteration, and then it would he foiled to give these

increases to second-rate men. because, by that time, second-rate men would have got on the Bench. And I would have said that 1 had made a mistake ten years ago —a mistake in saying •second-rate.’ I should have said •third-rate.' Don't think that I am criticising the Bench ut to-day. T am broking* at the future. I say that is what will inevitably happen unless the Government is a little more sympathetic to our profession, and 1 include in our profession the judiciary. because. alter till it is a branch of the profession.” HIGH SCHOOL DESTROYED. WELLINGTON. April IT. ’Fite Eketahium District High School, consisting <>f five classroom* and a sc it ■nt ■** i'miiiii. with > out cut ■•. nu'ludiug nil t lie school records anil valuable curios and bonks, tbe properly ut tbe Headmaster, were totally destroyed by lire at B.TO this evening. When discovered tin* lire was right through the interior of the building, and the lire Brigade could do iiolhing but save the adjoining shelter shed. Ihe origin of the lire is a complete mystery, hilt is believed to have originated in the science room. the Headmaster leli .it .when everything appeared quite s .The caretaker wits there till later. The Secondary School building w'hiih is some distain e away, was leit intact. The insurances are not yet ohto intibU*.

WOMAN FOUND DEAD. CHRISTCHURCH. April 13. Early yesterday morning. Hannah Packer, aged (it) years, unmarried, 101 l her home in Cranmer Square under circumstances which caused her relatives to he uneasy about her snlety. Tile police were notified, and enquiries were made. This morning her body was found on the bench at South Brighton. An inquest will lie Hold tomorow. LABOUR CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, April 13. Organisation for the tort booming election occupied most ol the New /calami Labour Party's annual conference to-day. Other questions dealt with were the administration of hospitals, and the. necessity of the representation ol Labour on the Hospital Boards. A resolution in lavour ol unomplot--1 meat ihsuranee was supported. A presentation was made to the retiring president. Mr Robert Semple, to whom the Conference carried a unanimous vote of thanks, recording its appreciation of the work that he has done for the party, and expressing its confidence in him 'as its representative.

A BURGLAR. PALMERSTON N.. April 13. Described as a labourer. 27 years of age, Wallace Athol Warrington Guy Smith, charged with the theft of two chenqe forms and jewellery valued at 235 from two dwellings, pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland lor sentence. On a charge of obtaining goods and money by a valueless cheque, accused at the request of the police, wln> stated lie was awaiting sentence on more serious charges, was convicted and discharged. "tiPSY MOTORIST’S CRASH. WELLINGTON, April 13. A collision between a motor car and a telegraph pole last evening resulted |„ the driver. Arthur George Whitelaw. U, being charged with being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-ear. He pleaded guilty. A lady in the car was admitted to hospital, hut her m.tunes I are not serious. It is well known that motorists, it they wish to drive motors in public I places, must keep sober.’’ said the I Magistrate. Air Salmond. in lining the defendant £2O and cancelling his license for three months.