DOMINION ITEMS FORGERY AND THEFT.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1931, Page 5

DOMINION ITEMS

FORGERY AND THEFT.

OFFENCES BY A MAORI

(Australian Press Association)

HAMILTON. March 3

Edward Walker, a young Maori, was found guilty of forgery and the theft of £l6 in the Supreme Court at Hamilton to-day. The evidence showed that another native, Stanley Marshall, came into Hamilton with £4O. He met the accused, wlm made himself friendly sharing the same room. During the night Marshall had £l6 stolen. He also cashed :i forged cheque for £lB for ths accused. Accused when arrested, offered to refund the money. Sentence was postponed.

MUNICIPAL WAGE CUT. ROTORUA, March 5. The Mayor, Air Jackson, President of the Afunicipal Association, interviewed with regard to the wages reduction of municipal employees said that 110 could not support it unless the costs of wheat products were first reduced. .He claimed the import duties were unjustified as the majority of the community were penalised for the benefit of Canterbury farmers. He said that the Government should seriously consider the duty of removal before ordering the wages cut. The question will be considered by the Executive of the Municipal Association next month. NAPIER CONDITION. TWO HE AV Y *~TR EMORS FELT. NAPIER, March 5. Two heavy tremors were felt this morning. A proposal was made that the Pn*t Office clock, which was stopped by the quake on February 3, should he placed in a museum with the foundation stones of prominent buildings or nse> as exhibits to be let into the sea wa 1 on the Parade.

Tt is expected all Napier unemployed (chiefly unskilled) will be employed in a few clays. The weather is still overcast. BUILDING DESTROYED. OCCUPANTS’ NARROW ESCAPE. NELSON, March 3. Early this morning fire gutted portion of a large wooden building in. Hardy Street in which were situated Gorman’s cordial factory, the shop ol Reg. Simpson, fruiterer, and a house occupied by Air H. E. Reed and his family of four. Mr and Ah's Reed, senior, who were in a flat above a shop, had a narrow escape in their night attire. Airs Reecl, senior, was overcome by smoke- and was rescued by her husband. The brigade made a wonderful save, keeping the fire from C. Hunter’s jewellery shop and a big block ol wooden shops.

Th Q insurances were: On Gorman’s Ltd., building £BOO in the Alliance Office, and on stock and plant, £1,250 in The Southern Union; Geo. Hoge and J. E. Allan (owners fruit shop). £1.400 in the State Office; Reg. Simpson. £3OO on the stock and shop equipment in the Sun Office. Mr Reed lost all his affects, which were uninsured.

A SORRY CASE. AUCKLAND, March S. John Spreull Currie, aged 34, n suburban medical practitioner, pleaded guilty iu the Police Court to six charges of wilful obscene exposure. He was remanded in custody for one week during which he will be examined by the Government Alienist. The police said the offences wer«( committed in the presence of girm, aged from nine to fourteen years, whom accused invited to ride in his car in three different suburbs. Complaints had been received also from other suburbs and eventually the police, with the assistance of civilians found the accused was the offender. Counsel said that as accused's friends suspected his case was pathological, if granted bail lie would immediately go to a Mental Hospital and stay there pending sentence. Magistrate Hunt refused bail. A GUARD KILLED. WOODVILLE. March 5. Thomas H. Beale, 48, married, and a resident of Palmerston North, a guard on the railways met with a shocking accident in Woodville railway yards about 11 o’clock last night. Nobody snw the accident but it is believed he was stepping from his own train when a van and two trucks which had been kicked off from another train knocked him down. The body was terribly mutilated and death must have been instnntenecms. Deceased came to the North Island from Dunedin and before being at Palmerston North was stationed at Marton. FALSE PRETENCE CHARGE. BLENHEIM, March 5. Arthur Turner, aged about 40. pleaded not guilty to a charge of obtaining £3O from Ellis Alfred Farr by false pretences and with intent to defraud. A painter and paperhanger bv trade, he advertised for an employee who was prepared to put £SO in the business representing twelve months ahead. He agreed with Farr on the payment of £SO and would teach him the business paying wages at £3 weekly, and in six months would admit him to partnership. the money to he refunded with interest if Farr was dissatisfied within three months.

Turner disappeared and was traced at Westport. He was convicted and-

admitted to probation for two years on condition of repayment within six months. He was also convicted upon a charge of pledging a client's credit for painting material.