DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1929, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

BO OK MAKING CHARGES. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 15. In the Magistrate’s Court, Patrick Walsh was charged with (a) carrying on business of bookmaker and (b) conducting a common gaming house. Robert Michael Cox was charged with (a) carrying on business as a bookmaker; (b) assisting in conducting a common gaining bouse and (c) wilfully interfering wjith the working of a telephone. Pleas of not guilty were entered in each case hy Mr O’Leary. He announced that Walsh and Cox would elect to he tried by a jury on two of the charges and asked the Magistrate to adjourn the summary charges until the indictable ones had been dealt with. The Magistrate announced that evidence would* be taken against both men on the hookmaking charges. An account of the raid on Walsh’s premises, GO Hills Road, was then given by the Chief Detective.

Chief Detective said a list of bets totalling £3OO was found on the telephone. Detective Sergeant Young, who got through a window, said he tested the telephones and could not get any answer. A mechanic attended t-o the telephones, which then commenced to ring a test. Information that witness took over the telephone was exhibited. A box of envelopes addressed to numerous people was found. “There were horse trainers, clergymen, and school teachers,” said witness. A code, double charts and acceptance cards lor New Year meetings were produced. NO SUPPRESSION. WELLINGTON, Jan. 15. Air .McNeil, the new Wellington Stipendiary Magistrate, lias announced he does not intend to suppress names in Court oases. A SCIENTIST COMING. WELLINGTON, Jan. 15Miss Simpson, of Rowett Institute, Aberdeen, will arrive here this week to take up work in connection with the mineral contents of pastures, in association with Aston, Chemist to the Department of Agriculture. Her visit is the outcome of a recent trip through (New Zealand of a Director of Rowett Institute. SENTENCE FOR THEFT. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 15. In the Magistrate’s Court, Tliiguo John Lagan, a clerk aged 34, pleaded guilty to the theft of a postal packet containing postal notes to the value of £] Gs, and to removing a used stamp from a postal packet, with intent te make use of it. The police said accused had. been going round with the mail contractor when the offences occurred. His counsel said accused accompanied the contractor to fill in the time and felt the sudden temptation. He was desperately in need, being married with a family and unemployed. On the first charge accused' was fined £3 in default 14 days, and ordered to make restitution. On the second he was convicted and discharged. A NOTABLE VISITOR,. AUCKLAND, Jan. 15. Rev. J. M. Clow, D.D., late Principal of the Presbyterian Theological College, Glasgow, one of the most eminent preachers and scholars of the Presbyterian Church, arrived hy the Marama in the coures of a world tour. His father built St. James Church, Auckland. He goes south in three weeks time. PETROL TAX. PALMERSTON N., Jan. 15. When a resolution from Tauranga County Council, favouring a petrol tax or other direct levy on motorists as the most equitable method to meet the problem of upkeep of main roads, came before lvairianga County Council, a Councillor said at the present time motorists were very heavily taxed. Until the present funds of the Highways Board proved inadequate, ho was against any increase. Local bodies were at their wits end to find money to obtain Highways Board subsidies. 'l’lie Council resolutioned that motoi> traffic in the Dominion already was over-taxed and it was not fair to put a further tax on it.

INSPECTOR RETURNS. AUCKLAND, Jan. 15. MY ,T. A. Valentine (late Chief Inspector of Schools for Taranaki) returned by tho Mamma, after visiting Britain, whore he investigated educational methods with special reference to retardate children He is reporting thereon to the Educational Director. BODY -POUND. NAPIER, Jan. 15. The body of Alfred Carney, aged nine years, drowned at the wharf on January 4th, was recovered at the breakwater.