DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 35, 10 February 1913, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

SHOP-BREAKING AT HOKITIKA. (Per Press Association.) Hokitika, February 9. A draper’s shop in Revel street was broken into this morning. It was found that the till had been broken, but no cash was left on the premises. Nothing was missing. • The light was noticed in the shop at 3.45 a.m., by a constable, who, on entering the door, disturbed the guilty one. The latter put out the light and got out by way of the back entrance, which leads from the shop to the beach. ANTI-MILITARISM. Hokitika, February 9. Several youths from the Grey district visited Hokitika last night for the purpose of expressing their views in opposition to military training. They harangued a crowd of about 400 people for about half an hour, when several citizens delivered short speeches in favour of the training scheme. The anti-militarists received no encouragement from the assemblage. In fact they were followed to the railway station by a large crowd of people who indicated that the visit of the would-be. orators was not welcomed here. POLICE METHODS CRITICISED. Wellington, February 9. During the hearing of a case against four youths for breaking and entering and theft, counsel criticised the finger print evidence and attacked the police methods of obtaining statements from persons suspected or in custody. The Judge said tha. there was nothing to show that unfair pressure had been used by the detectives. There was no indication that any leading question had been put. The English law left it to the judge to decide as to the admissibility of evidence of this .kind. The law of New Zealand did not, but trusted to the jury, on the principle that trust should be placed in the democracy in matters of this kind. He w r as prepared to follow that course in the present case. LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY. Wanganui, February 9. * A meeting of delegates of the Royal Life-Saving Society was held on Saturday, when among the resolutions passed were recommendations to the Dominion executive to the effect that provision be made in the conditions of the Wigram Shield competitions for two judges of method, and that the offices of judges and timekeepers should be separate; that application be made to the Government for an increase in the grant in order to extend the scope of the Society’s work; that members be exempt from any levy towards an Olympic fund; that the cost of medals be borne by the competitive and not by the humane branch; that the Government shoulc be urged to make swimming and lifesaving a compulsory subject in schools; that free railway passes should be given to delegates attending conferences, and lion, instructors travelling for the purpose of instruction classes; and that a 100 yards backstroke championship race should be included in the programme at the New Zealand championship meetings. BURIED IN HASTE. Wellington, February 9. The inquest on the woman Jessie Edith Hoult, or Mrs Richards, was continued on Saturday. Dr. Woodhouse, acting-medical superintendent of the hospital, said that deceased was admitted at midday oh January 31, suffering from burns on the lower portion of the body. There were some bruises on her back. She told him that three weeks previously she had had a miscarriage, and that afterwards she had used lysol as an injection. That would, said the witness, account for her condition. She died on Wednesday night. It w r as not possible to make an absolutely complete examination, owing to her condition, without an anaesthetic, and she might have died under it. He reported the death to the police about 12.30 on the afternoon of the 6th. At that time he had not given a certificate of death, nor had he instructed anyone else to give a certificate. He told the police that he knew the cause of death, but that it w r as a matter for the c

ner, and lie would not give a certificate until the coroner had been informed. On the Thursday evening ho understood that there was not going to be an inquest. Until then he did not give authority to bury the body. After some further evidence had been taken the coroner said that it seemed that there had been some misunderstanding. The inquest was adjourned to allow investigation as where certain medicines in , possession of the deceased came from. THE NATIVE LANDS. /•Wellington, February 10. The Hon. Mr Herries (Native Minister) informed a reporter that he had not said there was a shortage of surveyors at the present time. There was no delay now in the settlement of Native lands. Land was being put through as rapidly as possible. The Government had raised the salaries of staff surveyors. the southland coal lease. Mr Massey, referring to Solicitor Martin’s, opinion re the Southland 1 coal leases, stated that the section

of the Act of 1907 on which the judgment was mentioned by Mr Martin was based, was now repealed, and did not affect the position (this judgment was one by Justice Chapman in the case, Commissioner of Crown Lands versus Bennie in 1909). The Government intended to administer the law according to the spirit of the Act. There was always the law court open for those who were not satisfied, FIRE ON A STEAMER. Auckland, February 10. A fire broke out on the steamer Stella yesterday at Shoal Bay in the forward hatch, which was filled with coal. The fire-float poured in a steady stream of water, and in three hours the fire was extinguished. The vessel has settled on the bottom but the hull is apparently undamaged. The fire is attributed to spontaneous combustion.