DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 99, 30 August 1913, Page 7

DOMINION NEWS.

PERJURY CHARGE DISMISSED. [Pkr Press Association.] Christclmrch, August 28. * The case against James Henry Lean, harged with perjury, was continued it the Supreme Court to-day. The ury, after a retirement of a little >ver two hours, returned a verdict of •not guilty."

WATER RATES. Duncdin, August 28. Mr Justice Williams has given judgment in the case of John Souter v. ; l ho Mosgiel Borough Council, which ,'as brought for the purpose of setling the question of making and levyng water rates on unimproved value. :i the course of tho judgment His Llonor said: "I think the Legislature iy the Act of 1911 has expressly enact■d that water rates, which were 'thereofore leviable on capital or annual alue," shall, thereafter, not be so 'vied, ' but shall be ' leviable •n the unimproved' value; 1 The [ifacui'ty is that the draftsman,

•; far as-I can see, has, unfortunately, ■ mUtod.to provide'tho m>coE';:ary ma* ■hinei'y-for enabling ;a' rate: td ire j'vied in accordance with tne enact■loni, and there is no other way of •vying. It is beyond the power of his Court to provide machinery that with the" Legislature. The ►laintiff is entitled to an injunction."

BREACH 01-' THE GAMING ACT. " / Auckland, August 2S. Sutton, proprietor of a business which combined a scheme whero:t pizfes were won by chance, was fined 225 at the Police Court to-day. It was explained' by the police that the biisiless was really a fancy-goods she}), n which the attendants sold a penny ■a'ke of chocolate for a - .shilling, the mrchasor being entitled to a draw for • prize. Two assistants, Ross and •'irth. were each fined £5. All tho acitsed'pleaded guilty.

TICKLED A PASSENGER. Wellington, August 27. Robert Stuart, a tramway eondu'cor, appealed against his suspension jr two days by tho Tramway Board :n a charge M tickling a girl under tie chin while collecting fares in a ar. Tho Tramway Appeal Board, by

i majority verdict, dismissed the appeal. The union representative on ho Board was doubtful about the case, lUt Dr. McArthur, S.M., and the ."ramway Board repesentative said hey were perfectly satisried that the onductor had committed the silly act vitli which ho was charged.

BANKRUPTCY ACT BREACHES

Hamilton, August 29

James Leslie McGregor, land agent, vas committed for trial for breaches )f the Bankruptcy Act. Alfred Cros>y, farmer, Rotorua, was also committed on a similar charge.

OCCIDENT AT LEVEL CROSSING

Palmerston N., August 29

A Longburn settler, 11. D. Knight, driving home from Palmerston this evening, was caught at the level crossing by the incoming Wellington train and with a companion were hurl~d from the trap. Knight was knockid about, his shoulders being dislocatd and his ribs broken and he was lazed, but was not seriously injured. His companion escaped. The. gig was smashed, but the horse was not touch-

ed. Trie read crosses the rine diagonal ly, and there is a clear vi. w the whol< ivay of the passing trains.