DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1930, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS.

DEFECTIVE LORRY BRAKES

(By Telegraph—Pretf Association).

DUNEDIN, August 15

That if the defendants were convicted cf a breach of the Motor Vehicles Act, with which they were charged, they would also be guilty of manslaughter, was the startling announcement made by counsel in tiie Police Court this afternoon. The defendants were Thomas Evened Steel and Frederick James Craik, who were charged with operating a motor lorry not equipped with proper brakes. The police said that no manslaughter charge would follow, but counsel claimed that it was impossible for the police to give any assurance, and claimed that the defendants should not be prejudiced by the Lower Court proceedings if a manslaughter charge followed.

Steel was the owner of the lorry and Craik was the driver, the police stating that Craik had given a ride to his younger brother, who had been killed when the lorry had got out of control. They also alleged that Craik had warned Steel regarding the state of the brakes.

The Magistrate held that it would be, improper for him to go into the matter in the meantime, and he granted an adjournment to enable the police to decide on their course of aotion.

SOLICITOR CHARGED.

WITH MISAPPROPRIATION

GISBORNE, August 15.

Before Mr P. H. Harper, S.M., today, Robert George Gardiner Bain, aged twenty-six years, barrister and solicitor, appeared on a charge of receiving from H. Dalrymple, the sum of five pounds ou terms requiring him to account for and pay it to Mrs Johnson, and that he fraudulently omitted to do SO. ' ’

McLeod, in applying for a rehiand until Monday, said that a number of other charges would be preferred against the accused, who had intimated, through his (counsel, his intention of pleading guilty.

The accused was remanded till Monday on bail of £IOO, with one surety of £IOO. '

EXPRESS STRIKES MAN.

CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 15,

Alex Brown, middle-aged, single, of Rakaia, was walking along the railway track near Addington Station today when he was struck by the south express when it was -moving slowly. He received serious head injuries. Brown was taking a. short cut to the station to catch a train to his home at Rakaia.

RAILWAY SIGNALS.

WELLINGTON, Aug.'/IQ.

“It is very confusing, the railway signal to have green lights waved at level crossings,’’ said Mr Page, -S.M., in the Police Court after hearing a charge against James John Morgan of crossing a railway line in front of a train.

Sub-Inspector Lopdells said the defendant had evidently made a mistake over the green light signal at the crossing, and had responded by drving on, instead of pulling up. The (Magistrate -sajid railway officials while showing a green light to an oncoming train oould show a red light 'to i the motorist. [Defendant was convicted and discharged.

ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS

RANK OF NEW ZEALAND

WELLINGTON, August 14

Sir George Elliot, chairman of the Bank of New Zealand, authorised a statement to-day, in view of the discussion in Parliament of the Bank of New Zealand’s assistance to farmers, that directly and indirectly this amounted to £10,000,000 in advances, and that the bank was still making such advances when required.

MOTOR. OARS STOLEN.

CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 16.

Five motor cars were stolen from various parking places in the city yesterday evening while the owners were attending places of entertainment. Two were subsequently .recovered undamaged. A peculiar feature is that all were blue coloured.

DOCTOR’S DEATH

HASTINGS, August 16

Obituary—Doctor William Phillip Johnston aged 43. He was on the medical staff of the hospital ship Maheno during the war and had been prac tising in Hastings for the last nine years. His .wife died ,two months ago.