Second Edition DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 41, 17 February 1913, Page 6

Second Edition DOMINION NEWS.

GIRL PRISONER’S ATTEMPT AT GAOL-BREAKING. (Per Press Assocdation.) Christchurch, February 17. A girl, 16 years of age, who was detained on a charge of theft of a bicycle, made a daring attem >t to escape from the lock-up yesterday afternoon. She squeezed through a small opening in the cell wail, and was removing the glass from the lavatory window when she was caught. In a couple of minutes she would probably have been at liberty. EX-CONSTABLE SENTENCED. Wellington, February 17. Ex-Police Constable Charles Reipmers, who pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to a series of thefts in Wellington, including six charges of theft and one of breaking and entering was to-day sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Counsel, while, admitting that the offence was a very serious one, said that there were certain circumstances in favor of prisoner which he desir- 1 ed to put before the Court. Prior < to joining the Now Zealand Police, c Returners was a member of the Lon- 1 don police for four years, and he left. s with an excellent record. When he left London ho borrowed a sum of

money from his sister to come on to New Zealand. Ho had supports his mother, and some little time ag( he heard his sister was out of era ployment. It was while trying t< do something for his mother and sis ter that he succumbed to temptation Justice Chapman said he rogrettec to see ' the young man, whose previous character was good, placed ii: such a position, but it Was a cast where a severe sentence should be inflicted. Counsel’s explanation du not dispose of the whole matter. Iht police of this country had a high reputation ; they were trusted guardians of property, and of people, and, tven if people were negligent and careless in leaving their doors open, that was no excuse. FAMILY POISONED WITH TINNED • * ■ SARDINES. -i Auckland, February 17. After eating tinned sardines yesterday, the family of J. Morris, of Avondale, became seriously ill. Medical help was summoned just in time, and all were better this morning, except a little boy who is still in a weak condition. » / COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENT. Dunedin, February 17. In the case where Mrs Marion Fox claimed £ISOO from the Otago Har- - hor Board for compensation on the death of her husband through a culvert accidentally slipping and crushing him, the claim was settled by the payment of £BOO and costs. LOSSES BY BUSH FIRES. Dannevirke, February 17. Details of the losses through bush are now available, and show that settlers at Ruaroa particularly are heavy over four miles of country being swept by fire in this district, and the wonder is that any houses are left standing at all. Following are the losses at Enaroa, not taking stock into account: Francis Gratwick Yarrell, 4-roomed house, insured for £75 in the Norwich Office; Arthur Maxwell Yarrell, 4-roomed cottage, whare and trap shed, £195 in the State; Stanley Bert Fairhrother, 5roomed house, furniture, personal effects, and cow hail, £440, Norwich; Richard Henry Fairhrother, 3-roomed cottage, £IOO, cottage and contents insured, in the State Office; George Waller, 3-roomed cottage, £75, Norwich; Donghi Bros., cow and trap sheds, estimated loss £IOO, Norwich; John SulJian, stable and contents, £6O Norwich; Morris, cowshed, £SO, Norwich. At Upper Piripi, settlers had a had time, the following losses occurring I there: G. and A. Wright, lost calf shed and separator and had house damaged, but were covered in State office ; J. Aylward, house and furniture, £45, house insuredin State Office, with additional £6O on house with Norwich Office, £llO on furniture, £9B other buildings in Norwich Office; Inder and Fortune, house, furniture and outbuildings, and haystack, also twenty head of cattle. Every settlor, in addition, has lost feed, so the position is very serious, most of them being small struggling farmers.

IS IT A hoax'? Palmerston North, February 17. While an employee of a local brewery was cleaning bottles purchased at Foxton, he found one showing evidences of Wear. The cork was tightly embedded and hardened by long emersion in the sea. The bottle bad to be broken, and inside the following note was found: “Duco drifting eastward ; tail shaft broken; require help at once.—Captain Abraham.” , The paper shows signs of extreme age, and although the illiterate writing and spelling suggest a hoax, the find is interesting seeing that the bottle came to an inland town before being discovered. The message has been sent to Wellington for authentication. MULCTED IN HEAVY COSTS. Rotorua, February 17. As a sequel to the tragedy On the 7th instant, wherein Solomon Newton was drowned, Richard Healy pleaded

guilty to three charges of supplyim liquor to Maoris off licensed premises Hcaly hired a launch and supplied li quor for a party, the Maoris partaking of the liquor. Fines and costs aggregating £6l Is were imposed.

THE PREMIER SUBPCEANED,

Wellington, February 17. Messrs Wilford and Levi, solicitors acting on behalf of Messrs Hall. Stout, and Lillicrap, solicitors, Inver cargill, to-day served the Prime Minis ter (Mr Massey) as Minister of Lands with a summons issued by Mr Gavir Brighton, owner of the much-discussed lease-in-perpetuity in Southland, in reference to the coal leases. FIRE AT TE AROHA. Te Aroha, February 17. A fire occurred in Witaker street early yesterday morning, originating in Fielder’s fruit shop. The Bank of Australasia and Lovegrove’s land agency were almost destroyed, while Herbert’s bicycle shop, and the Te Aroha News office were badly dam T aged. It is estimated that the loss is over £2OOO. The insurance is about £IOOO. UN OCCUPIED HOUSE DESTROYED Hokitika, February 17, A fire destroyed a large unoccupied building formerly known as the Newcastle Hotel at 1.30 this morning. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. It is understood that there was no insurance.

WANGANUI WIRES

Wangainfi, February 17

In connection with the recent meeting of unionists at Auckland which considered the amalgamation of the United Labour Party and the Federation of Labor, Mr Edward Tregear, who was one of the speakers at the meeting, complains to the -local press of the nature of the telegraphed report sent by the Auckland agent of the Press Association. Ho says that the meeting, so far from being stormy, was very orderly and very’ successful. It was attended by over 800 unionists, who were very generous in their applause of the speakers. The impression conveyed that the meeting was divided in opinion was quite without foundation. FIRE BRIGADES’ CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the United Fire Brigades’ delegates opened this morning, 125 delegates being present. The Mayor welcomed the delegates, after which a. general discussion on matters relating to fire brigades ensued. TERRITORIALS FINED. Five territorials were this morning at Court fined sums ranging from five to ten shillings for not attending drill.