DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2, 7 May 1913, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

LIQUOR TO MAORIS. [Per Press Association.] Rotorua, May 6. Wharetutaki, a Maori, was to-day fined £25 and costs £3 Is on each of two charges of supplying liquor to native women in the pa at Ohinemutu. For taking liquor into the pa he was fined £1 and costs 17s 6d. SEMPLE RELEASED. Greymouth, May 6. Robert Semple, who was imprisoned yesterday afternoon in the Greymouth gaol for failing to pay a fine of £4 imposed for his refusal to give the age of his son as required under the Defence Act, was released to-day. A man named Hart, a resident of Runanga, paid tho fine. RAIDING EMPTY HOUSES. Christchurch, May 5. The house with tho curtainless windows and branded with tho “To Let” sign is proving almost a gold mine to a certain class of people just now in Christchurch. There is something American in tho celerity and calmness with which they carry out their nefarious work, and so far at least little has been ascertained of their identity. The plan is a simple one: Tho empty house is entered at a time when the neighbourhood is “silent as the pathless desert,’ ’and the criminals proceed to remove whatever may prove of the least possible value. Even if the house is listed as “Unfurnished” they succeed in securing a good deal of booty. In one case, for instance, the range was taken to pieces and made away with, as well as tho handles and locks of the doors, the fastenings of the windows, a few old pots and pans, and several other trifles that could he disposed of without much difficulty. The thieves had also a certain sense of humor, for when the owner re-enter-ed the house she found written in white chalk on tho mantLpiece the words: “You can hove what’s left. ALLEGED PERJURY. Christchurch, May 6. An echo of tho recent tram accident which occurred on April 6, in which a young woman lost her life, was heard at tho Magistrate’s Court to-day, when tho motorman and conductor of tho tram-car were charged with having committed perjury at the inquest. Eugene Allan was charged with having, on April 1, at Christchurch, committed perjury in testimony which ho gave on oath at the inquest touching tho death of Evelyn Edith Coomhes, by falsely swearing that when Miss Coomhes fell the car was three poles from the stopping place. William Horgan was charged with having similarly committed perjury, by falsely swearing that when he stopped tho car he was two poles distant from tho stopping place. Accused were committed for trial, reserving their defence. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Wellington, May 6. The S.P.C.A. Conference has decided to call the attention of local bodies to tho need for better supervision of drivers of drays, and that every dray should' have a separate driver. A motion was passed urging the suppression of the uso of pea rifles by the youth of tho Dominion. It was also decided “That it is desirable that paid drivers and owners of vehicles used for trade he licensed, and that steps he taken to have legislation passed to enable local authorities to mako by-laws to provide for tho same.” The need for better facilities for tho transit of stock hy sea and rail was discussed, hut no recommendation was arrived at.