DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1928, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

HARBOUR BOARD CLERK’S

LAPSE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 5,

The theft of sums totalling £127 f>s 2 between lAplril' -'and .'October this year, while in the employ of the Wellington Harbour Board, was admitted by a clerk, Ashton George Edwards, 11, before Air E. Page, S.AI. Tiie chief ledger-keeper said that accused had twenty-eight years’ service with the Board and for two years to October last was assistant ledgerkeeper. In October there was a cash shortage and witness was unable to obtain a balance. "When taxed, Edwards admitted without- hesitation having used the Board’s money, and later supplied a statement. Accused bad same resigned and had restored

the money In reply to the counsel, witness said that accused had made no attempt to falsify the books. Accused was committed for sentence.

FALSE PRETENCES. DUNEDIN. Dec. 5

Tn the Police Court, Selwyn Joyce, described as a journalist, on several charges of' false pretences committed throughout the Dominion, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

The police statement showed that hy various stories, mostly to the effect that he wanted fares to take him to Wellington, Christchurch or elsewhere, to join newspaper staffs, accused obtained money from people practically throughout the Dominion. Counsel’s statement was that accused had been a journalist on the “'■New A T ork Times,” the “Toronto Telegram.” the “Dallas Times,” and the “London Daily Telegraph,” had served in the Boor and Great "Wars, and had lost all his means through a lawyer’s breach of trust in Australia. Contrary to the usual case, he was a careful man, who gave all his money to his wife. -

In sentencing him, the Magistrate remarked that he seemed to have spread himself all over New Zealand.

EXPLOSION ON LAUNCH

AUCKLAND, Dec. 6

A loud explosion on the lushing launch Huana, at the waterfront at 6 a.m. /was followed by flame and smoke. John Sanderson and another man were assisted ashore, the latter being unhurt, but Sanderson was suffering from severe bums on the feet and legs. The explosion was caused bv a light coming in contact with) benzine fumes. The Fire Brigade extinguished the flames. The launch was badly damaged.

CAPTAIN'S DEATH. CHRIST CHURCH, Dec. 6

Obituary—Captain Matthew Sillars, formerly master of the Westport Coal Coy’s ship Canopus.

SUPPLYING LIQUOR TO YOUTHS

CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 6

In tlio Magistrate’s Court, Grace Ann Moore, licensee of tlio Heatlieote Arms Hotel and Joseph Lewis Gestro, barman at the hotel, each faced three charges of having supplied liquor to persons under 21 years of age. SubInspector Fitzpatrick said that after getting drinks the youths set out over Sumner Cliffs for Taylor’s Mistake. Three of them, arrived there but the fourth, ‘William James Mowbray did not, his body being found at the bottom of the cliff. The licensee was fined £G and costs and the charges against tiie barman were dismissed.

The Magistrate said the matter was made more disastrous by the death of Mowbray, whose death was due to the amount of liquor he had obtained at the hotel or elsewhere.

SIR JOSEPH WARD

WELLINGTON, December G

Sir Joseph Ward stated this afternoon tnat the urgent legislation which he proposes to ask Parliament to pass during the present session to obviate calling Parliament together again in February will be to give authority for making financial arrangements so as not to delay the inauguration df the most important part of the policy which he put before the public during the election campaign. Amongst other things that policy will ensure work for the unemployed, especially during the winter months. This is a matter of such importance, he said, that it ought to be assented to by all members of the House.