TELEGRAPHIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 444, 24 December 1908, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

Wellington, Dec. 22

A telegram received by the Tourist Department last evening stated that a Dr Scott and his daughter, who left Tewhaiti last Tuesday for Lake House, Waikaremoana, a distance of 43 miles, had not yet been seen. A search party went out last night, but up to 11 o’clock this morning no trace of the missing persons was found. Possibly they may be with the Maoris in some little village of the Urewera country. Dunedin, Dec. 20. John Morra, said to be a South American half-caste, and George Daniels had an altercation in Lower Stuart Street yesterday, and Morra is alleged to have stabbed Daniels in the chest with a penknife. Daniels, who is a carter, was removed to the hospital, where his depositions were taken. He is in a somewhat critical condition. It appears that the men had a dispute over a cheque for 335, and Morra asserts that Daniels struck him on the nose and knocked him down. Morra has been arrested on a charge of wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. Westport, Dec. 22. With reference to the claim made on behalf of Olaf Hallinen and the late Anders Andersen for compensation in respect of their false conviction in connection with the death of Burke, the Minister for Justice intimates that “the matter has received the careful consideration of the Government, and he regrets the Government is unable to recognise any claim to compensation or payment in connection therewith.” The matter will probably be made the subject of a strong local petition. Auckland, Dec. 22.

A deputation representing various temperance and religious bodies interviewed the Premier this morning, requesting the Government to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the allegations made respecting the administration of the law in connection with the granting of hotel licenses. Sir Joseph Ward said grave charges had been made against certain Magistrates and Justices of the Peace, and it was the duty of the Government to have these charges investigated |to ensure that the people ,of the Dominion should have pure administration of justice. He promised that a Royal Commission would be set up as soon as possible to investigate the specific charges made, but he would not agree to the Commission undertaking a tour^of the country to investigate the general administration of the licensing law.