CAUGHT BY THE TIDE.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 530, 8 June 1880, Page 3

CAUGHT BY THE TIDE.

Acourageous actis reported from Plymouth Five lads had been playing on the -beach at low tide and entered a cave in the rock, remaining there unobservant of the the rising tide until they discovered that it was impossible for them to escape from their terrible prison. They screamed and shouted, while the swift waters, driven by a gale, rushed more liigh almost every wave, until the allowing of the five hapless juveniles seemed inevitable. Hundreds of , people, attracted by the piercing cries, congregated on the rocks above, but they could do nothing. No boat could live in the boiling surf, and all looked helplessly on until two seafaring men, George Andrews and Thomas Penny, offered to attempt a rescue. They were fastened to ropes, lowered over the precipitous crags, and allowing themselves; to be washed into the cave by the sea, succeeded in; rescuing one .boy. This hazardous operation was continued until the whole five were landed on the rocks above . The two brave fellows who had risked their own lives in rescuing dhc boys were greatly cheered on the completion of their task and a subscription was raised on the spot-

HECKLING A MEMBER There was a lively scene at Sir George Grey’s meeting at Auckland. When Mr. Swanson essayed lo address the audience, the following little colloquy took place, A Voice—Give us the bill of sale that you sold the province on, (Cheers and laughter.) Mr. Swanson—lf you want that, my friend, you arc going the wrong way about it, because the House of Assembly, with all their power, was not able to bounce me; and I doubt whether you or any other man in this room is able to do it. The Voice—We ought to have it. Mr, Swanson- You may think so, but you’ll not get it. The Voice—You’ll have to give it, Mr. Swanson—Silence, you hound. If the people want to hear me, what right have you to interrupt me ? (Uproar.) Those who know me know this. I never turned my back on friend or enemy in my life, and it is not likely that I am going to be afraid of such a cur as y»u. A Voice—Shove him down. Mr. Swanson —If you mean to speak like that just come outside after I have done, and 1 will talk to you. (Renewed uproar.) Finally a voice from the stalls exclaimed — I’ll put you out of that. Mr. Swanson defiantly replied—You know a trick worth two of that. Come up here, and I’ll send you down like a shot. The inviwas not accepted.

“WICKED MARKS.” At the Christchurch Court, “Wicked ” Marks, the fruiterer, has been fined 5s for selling fruit on Sunday, Mr Mcllish, R.M., reversed his former decision. He said he was inclined to think that his decision in the former case was scarcely correct, and that no doubt the Act of Charles 11. was in force in this colony to a certain extent, but the question arose whether, looking at the power given to Magistrates under the Small Penalties Act, which was in force in England, the matter could be dealt with further than by the issue of a distress warrant. The Small Penalties Act imposed a maximum penalty of seven days’ imprisonment with hard labor, and if the contention of the counsel for the prosecution was correct, as to the Justices of the Peace Act empowering Magistrates to deal with cases such as the present one, under its provisions the punishment might be one months’ imprisonment with hard labor, in default of payment of the fine; in other words, the Bench could give a months’ imprisonment with hard labor, in place of the two hours in the stocks. It might bo fairly questioned whether this had been intended by the Legislature. However this might be he, was inclined to think that a conviction could not be'proceeded upon further than by the execution of a distress war, rant failing {payment of the fine. It would remain for application to be made at the Supreme Court for a mandamus to the Magistrate to issue a. distress warrant. So far, then, the Act must be held to be in force, and therefore a fine of 5s would now be inflicted, and costs, which were only 2s. The effect of this is that the offence can be committed with impunity so long as the defendant is prepared to pay 5s each time, Mr Joynt intimated that he refrained from asking for the Crown,s costs on this occasion, but if the offence were repeated, he should press for the full amount.