DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1928, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. INQUIRY TO BE HELP. ALLEGATIONS OF ILLTREATMENT. WELLINGTON, May 2. Questioned respecting the alleged illtreatment of an escaped Borstal inmate by warders at Invercargill recently, Air B. L. DallardT 1 ControllerGeneral of Prisons, said that arrangements had bene made for a Departmental inquiry to be held by Mr C. CrnioksliaiiKS, 1 '‘ Stipendiary Magistrate at Invercargill.

Mr Dallard remarked that bo did not care to prejudice the. case, but the reports received indicated that the affair had been grossly exaggerated. In order to re-nssure relatives of inmates and others, who would naturally ho disquieted at the published reports. Mr Da Hard said that he could state without fear of contradiction hv anyone competent to express an opinion that the Borstal institution at Invercargill had been run (hiring the past few years on the most enlightened and humane lines, calculated to develop in the majority of inmates a sense .of self-respect and responsibility. lie mentioned that, prior to those recent escapes, there had not been a single escape for over twelve months. When the wide extent to which the inmates are on trust was considered, lie said, this alone spoke volumes. “ The superintendent of the institution at Invercargill is a man who has the complete respect and confidence of the inmates, and lie has the interests of the lads thoroughly at heart,” Mr Dallard added. ” f can say definitely that such treatment as that alleged is entirely foreign to the present policy of the Administration.”

TAUGHT A LESSON. WANGANUI, May 2.

“The mild-eyed Chinese who deliver vegetables to the hark door are not so innocent as they look,” remarked Inspector Johns in Court to-day. when Kwong Quoiig Fore was charged witii using unstamped settles. “ I liev say they always sell by measurement, but that is not a fact. They invariably carry spring-balance scales ot a type not approved and unstamped. If tltev think anyone is looking, they weigh trie vegetables low down in the cart.”

Kwong’sdriver remarked: “Alii li. Always givum good measure.” As Kwong has been before the Court on two previous occasions lor a similar offence, the Magistrate remarked that it was time he was taught a lesson. A fine of 27 10s was imposed.

N.Z. LOAN OYEB-SFBKCTtIIiKD WELLINGTON. .May 3,

Tlon. Mr Downio Stewart, in a statement referring to the live millions cash N.Z. loan issued in Loudon yesterday, being interest at I) per centwith an issue price of 2TM 10s, says: —1 lie issue at I! per cent is a definite break front the five per cent rate, whim ini' obtained in Loudon for some time, aml indicates a distinct tendency towards easier conditions. The success of tinissue, which has been over-subscribed; will not only benefit New Zealand directly. hut will give a good colour to authoritative statements recently made that British liinam-e and trade are moving towards improved conditions.

FLOCK HOUSE ROY'S DROWNING. TIM ARC. May 3. An inquest was held to-day concern lug the death of Robert N. Alter, whose body was recovered Imm Kakahr River, near Geraldine. The verdict was one of accidental drowning. Re (cased was a Flock House trainee, aged IS. He was in flic employ of a farmer in the Geraldine district. On Friday

last he was soul, to cut thistle-, and i 1 IS assumed he was drowned through failing in when crossing the river at a place other than the recognised crossing.