DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1928, Page 4

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,

CHARGE OF THEFT.

UNUSUAL DEFENCE FAILS,

WELLINGTON, May 25

An unusual defence was raised by Mr P. Jackson in the Magistrate’s Court to-day on behalf of Sylvia Shaw, a married woman, who was charged with the theft of two lady’s jumpers of the value of LI. Counsel admitted that by mistake the defendant took a parcel containing the jumpers from the counter of a jeweller’s shop, but submitted that as her husband forbade her to return them she could not be convicted of theft.

Mr E. Page, S.M.: Do you say tha in law that excuses you on a charge of theft? She took no steps whatever to advise the person to whom the jumpers belonged that she had taken them.

Counsel said that her husband had refused to allow her to go hack fo the shop and as she was more or less under his domination she could not do anything else but obey him. Mr Page: If she had gone hack and said that she had taken the goods by mistake and that her husband would not let her return them there would have been an end to the charge against her.

Mr Jackson pointed out that the defendant had made no use whatever of the jumpers. Her husband had left her about a week after the incident and she had not seen the jumpers since his departure. Mr Page said that a conviction would have fo bo entered. The defendant would be ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months.

N.Z. OLYMPIC TEAM. PORE ITT IN TRAINING. WELLINGTON, May 25. Towards the end of March, A. E. Porritt, who is to captain tile New Zealand team at the Olympic Games, made a start with his preparation for the sprint events at Amsterdam. Ho trained at Battersea Park with Lord Eurghley, the noted hurdler, and reported that his knee (which troubled him some time ago) stood up well to the workout. Porritt had another run at Queen’s Park shortly afterwards and was surprised to find his muscular condition so good after nine months without strenuous physical exercise. To was verv satisfied with the results.

OUT OF SEASON. WOMEN TAKING OYSTERS. AUCKLAND, May 25. Three women who were caught by inspectors of the Fisheries Department taking oysters during the close season at Owhnnnke Bay, Waikeke, appeared on summons before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., at tbc Police Court. They were Vivienne Anderson, Mrs Jane McKinnon. and Mrs Fanny Powloy. Mrs Powley pleaded guilty, but the other two denied the charges. Mr V. N. Hubble, who prosecuted, called evidence to show that tour

women were seen early one morning oi the rocks. The inspectors arrived ii a launch, and when their arrival line been observed the women moved aivai quickly. On a search being made 111 dozen oysters which had been taken from the shell were found in a hilly An inspection of the rocks showed tha a large number of oysters had bcei broken open.

M,i- MeLiver, who appeared for the three women charged, said Mrs Powlcv would admit frankly that she picked the oysters with the assistance ol another woman who had not been charged and who was ill Australia. She would say that Mrs McKinnon and .Miss Andeson never touched an oyster.

.Miss Anderson, in evidence, said that neither she nor Mrs McKinnon picked an oyster. Witness picked half a dozen mussels.

Similar evidence was given by Mrs McKinnon and Mrs Powley. Mrs Bowley added that she took a benzine tin and billy with her to get. mussels.

“ Well, 1 don’t believe you were the only one that picked oysters. Tile three of you will each be fined .C 5 and costs £1 Its,” said tfie Magistrate. “ It’s going over the odds taking 36 dozen ovsters.”

DISHONEST PACKING. WELLINGTON, May 25. For attempting to defraud customers hv topping off sacks of pumpkins with largi ones, a Chinaman. Young Wall Chong, of Oliiui. was to-day lined £lO. It was stated that although a prosecution was recently made a few hold market gardeners are still taking tli/ risk of the topping-off practice.

-A I AND A TES CO AI AH SS ID N. WELLINGTON, Afar 25

The date for the opening sittings ol the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations, at which the question of New Zealand’s administration of Samoa is to be discussed, has boon postponed from Juno 6th. to Juno 12th.

NOKGROVE REPRIEVE PETITION AUCKLAND, May 26.

Counsel lor Norgrove, the condemned murderer, lias been notified hy the Controller General of Prisons that a further medical examination by an independent doctor will he undertaken at Mount Eden Prison next week.

A petition for Norgrove’? reprieve is being presented to the GovernorGeneral on Tuesday next, and will be considered by the Executive Council on Thursday, when Norgrove’s fate will finally be decided. GENERAL ELECTION. CHRISTCHURCH, May 26. Mr D. F. Donnelly lias been selected by tbe United Party as the candidate for the Christchurch East sent. Mr Dennehy also was the Nationalist candidate against Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P., last election.

FOOTRAT.L ACCIDENTS. ! CHRISTCHURCH, May 27. Gilbert Kane, aged 15 years, while playing football on Saturday fractured bis left leg. Another player, E. P. Thompson, was kicked in the stomach, and, like Kane, has been admitted to the hospital. His condition is not serious. In the Christchurch v. Technical Rugby match yesterday, the referee, E. G. Watkins, was knocked out by a heavy Technical forward colliding with him. He fell, lay still, and for a second or two, and then whistled for the game to stop and for the ambulance, and then he left the field. Another referee took over the game.

THEFT OF TYPEWRITERS. V,"ELLINGTON, May 25. Abraham Novak, a compositor, aged 29. appeared before Air E. C. Page, S.M.. at the Magistrate’s Court to-day on charges of the theft of £5 and three typewriters of a total value of £-12 ISs. The Chief-Detective stated that Novak was employed by the “Dominion” newspaper and committed the offences when he ceased work at two in the morning. The sum of £5 was stolen from a workmate and the typewriters were stolen at different dates.