DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1913, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

UNIVERSAL TRAINING. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, February 25. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes, Ac ingMinister of Defence, referring to-cbn to the recent allegations that mone> had been extravagantly spent, sain that no sum was ever allotted in New Zealand for the necessary initial am capital expenditure for the guns equipment, clothing, etc., necessary to start a scheme of universal training. All such preliminary expenditure had been paid and provided foi out of the consolidated fund for 191112 £-101,870, and for 1912-13 £lßl,i 62. CATTLE-STEALTXG CHARGE. Gore, February 25. William John Richards, with several aliases, was arrested at Gore on Saturday ou a charge of stealing three cattle at Edondale on February 17, and stealing a bicycle at Waianawa on January 3. Accused was brought before Justices of the Peace, and remanded for eight days. When arrested accused denied cattle-stealing but subsequently admitted it. When searched a five-chambered loaded revolver was found on accused, and a number of cartridges. Jt is stated that lie purchased the revolver for the purpose of using it if molested while stealing cattle. SOUTH ISLAND BRASS BANDS. Invercargill, February 25. A meeting of citizens to night adopted a motion by the Mayor, affirming the desirability of bolding tin next South Island Brass Bands Association’s contest in Invercargill, pro bably in October. A strong commit tee was appointed to make arrange ments. The idea is that the pro gramme will be similar to the lasl contest at Dunedin. THEFT OF MOTOR GOODS. The hearing of the charges againsi Colin Gerard of tho theft of a mote Lyre and other motor goods was con tinned in tho Police Court this morn ing before Mr Cruickshank, S.M. Mi H. A. McDonald, solicitor for Gerard gave evidence, denying that he am. Gerard had visited Myross Bush t< «co William Hazlett, from whom Ger aixl alleged he had received the stolei tyre. Counsel detailed his move ments on tho day on which the vise was alleged to have been made am called witnesses to substantiate hit own evidence, that lie could not pos sibl.v have been in Myross’ Bush o; the day indicated. The Magistrate remarked that he regarded Wi Man Hazlett’s statement! about- McDonah as quite irrelevant. Samuel Hazlett (brother of William Hazlett) do posed that Gerard bad taken out hi; cheque-book and said that be wouh give bis brother £IOO if iie wouh swear that be got the tyro iron Christchurch. The Magistrate sab that no doubt the tyre was stolen, and convicted Gerard. Sentence was deform! pending the probation officer’;ix port. Gerard was further charged with the theft of three tubes, but owing to laqk of identification the cast ,vas dismissed.