DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 57, 12 July 1913, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

DUNEDIN CAPPING CEREMONY

[Per Press Association.]

Dunedin, Julv 11

The capping ceremony in connection with the Otago University was held this afternoon. Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor of the Sew Zealand University, presided, and there was a large attendance. The only speaker was Sir Robert Stout, whose speech consisted largely of a reply to those who desired a reform in regard to the University examinations. As soon as the Chancellor began his speech there ivas a great rustling of paper, and a glance towards tiie rear of the hall showed that two-thirds of the students were hidden behind newspapers, which they ostentatiously consulted and rustled, evidently with the object of making it plain that they ignored what was being said, and of creating a disturbance to prove disconcerting to the speaker. There was a succession of mild storms and calms until the Chancellor thrice repeated his warning to adjourn the meeting. From that on, matters were pretty quiet, with the exception of occasional snores.

THEFTS IN WESTPORT

Westport, July 11. A batch of lads, including a despatch clerk and several messengers from the Westport Post Office, were before the Magistrate to-day charged with various thefts in town, and the despatch clerk with the theft of goods from the post office. The last named was convicted and discharged on three informations, and convicted and sentenced to six months' reformative treatment on two charges to be con-

current. One mesensger was convicted on several charges, including one of damaging property, and ordered to come up for sentence when called on. and on one .charge of theft was convicted to six strokes with the birch. Another lad was sentenced to three strokes. The remainder were ordered to come up for sentence when called on. • .;:,'.

THE CHRISTCHURCH OUTRAGE

Christchurch, July 11

There are no fresh developments to-day in connection with the attempted gelignite outrage at the King Edr ward Barracks on Wednesday, and the identity of the mi servant a 'iiyho planned the affair is, so far, an unknown quantity. , This niornnig,M,r W- T., Home;.call-. ?d at the Sews office and stated"tbM he wished, on hehalf of the anti-mili-tarists that lie represented, to disclaim all knowledge of the gelignite affair. ft was not true, -he said, -that" the anti-militarists had threatened damage to the King Edward Barracks. He stated that be had threatened to march on Ripa Island at the head of 500 i men if the boys detained there were not released, and in this connection he had received a telegram from the Minister of Defence expressing the .hope that he would do nothing of the «>ort. Mr* Horne stated that be had visited Ripa Island last Wednesday, and had found that the youths were treated and fed well enough. He thought they, had nothing much to complain of. beyond the fact that they were under detention. He remarked that the food was good and vholesome, and better than he got himself sometimes.