COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21, 24 January 1914, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

TRAVELLER CHARGED WITH THEFT. Ht Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.! Sydney, January 23. Frederick Hutton, alias Louis Frost, was charged to-day with stealing C9OO, the property of the Bank bi Australasia. Defendant is lame, and has one useless arm. Evidence showed that he presented a cheque lor £7Ol on his own account. He was told that ho only had £3O to his credit, hut he said he had paid £B2O into Ids account. Subsequently he presented two other cheques for £IOO each. These were duly paid, on the assumption that the cheque for £9OO on the Bank if Xew Zealand would bo met, hut it was dishonored. The accountant of the Bank of Xew Zealand said he knew defendant, who had an account at tho hank. Defendant admitted his real name was Frost, a commercial traveller, living in Xew Zealand, and also a lmitted that he owed the bank money. He had no dishonest intentions. He expected to be able to meet the dieque. He spent the £9OO on racing a one month.

He was committed for trial, bail being allowed in sureties of two sums of 2000.

% THE MAITLAND TRAGEDY.

Sydney, January 23

At tlie inquest on Richard Marsh uid his wife, evidence was given that die wife had separated from her husband owing to the latter taking to drink, but she returned a few days before the tragedy. The son deposed that his pare ns vere quarrelling, and that his mother asked him to take down the picture if his sister to prevent his father breaking it, and his father said ho vould shoot her unless slie stood aside, she replied that he was not game to. several shots followed. After the . ragedy, his sister’s picture was found ■iddied with bullets. A verdict was returned of murder did suicide.

BIG BLAZE IN SYDNEY.

Sydney. January 23

A fire destroyed' fonr-storied buildings occupied by Lewis and Whitty, manufacturers, and Winter, machinery importer, in Sussex street. The damage is estimated at £SOOO. A remarkable feature of the fire was the destruction of hundreds of rats that were strewn over the building.

RIFLE-SHOOTING ENCOURAGED.

Melbourne, January 23.

The Minister for Defence has given it grant of £SOO towards entertaining the British riflemen. He is also -disposed to grant £3OOO for the erection of an Australian clubhouse at Bisley.