DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1931, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

SEAMAN’S THEFTS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 6. It was stated in court to-day thate several telephone cabinets in the vicinity of Countenay Place had been broken into and that suspicion fell upon David Gellie, a seaman, aged 30, when a gas meter at the house where he was boarding was broken open. Geliie was charged with willfully 'damaging a cabinet and also with stealing a cash box and five shillings. He endeavoured to establish' an alibi, but the Magistrate said that the onus was ,on him to explain the presence of fingerprints on the instrument and this Gellie could not do. He' was sentenced to three months on the theft charge and was convicted and ordered to make good the damage of 30s on the other charge. ESCAPED PRISONERS. TAUMARUNUI, March 6. Constable Sherman, of Raurimu, and Gaoler Glynn and five warders from Waikune Prison Camp, in conjunction with Ohakune and Raetihi police, succeeded in drawing a cordon round the escaped prisoners, Forsyth utid EVailS; and captured them to-dav in the Ratititi Valley between Wade’s Lalidihg oh the Wanganui River, ail’d Raetihi. OBITUARY. . TIMARU, March 7. Obituary—Walter Panton, a well known architect, especialy in connection with freezings works; aged 83 years. AN OPIUM RAID. FONG TOM WILL “TAKE IT OUT.” AUCKLAND, -March 5. . This morning, Fong Tom, aged fiftyfive. appeared at the Police Court charged with having in his possession prepared opium, a pipe and other utensils for the purpose of smoking opium. When asked how lie pleaded he shook his head, indicating that he could not speak English.

“Why, he's been talking English all the morning,” said a constable. “Yes/’ said a detective sergeant. “He’s been in business in Devonport for years, and speaks the language well. He will have to have an interpreter now. That will cost him an extra guinea.” (Laughter). “He’s been smoking opium since he was fourteen.” Through an interpreter, Tom pleaded guilty to both charges, Accused was fined the minimum £25, or three months imprisonment. He asked for three months in which to pay, The request was refused, Accused then said he would not pay, and*preferred to “take it out.” PUBLIC WORKS SUBSCRIPTIONS. BLENHEIM, March 7. The Public Works staff and workmen at the northern end ol the South Island Main Trunk raised by voluntary subscriptions, by concerts etc., the sum of £224 3s Id for earthquake relief. The money will be paid into the public account and receipts forwarded by the “Express” newspaper to the Prime Minister.