DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 33, 9 February 1914, Page 7

DOMINION NEWS.

RADIUM INSTITUTE.

[Peb Phebs Association.]

Palmerston NT., February 7

Several local citizens have promised to contribute .suras aggregating fcIOOU towards a fund to establishing a North Lsland Radium institute at Palmerston North. Measures are being taken to raise the balance of the money required.

FIRE BRIGADES AT PLAY.

Auckland, February 7

At the fire brigade competitions, the reel and ladder event for five men resulted: Dannevirko, lmin 7sec, 1; Duricdin South, lmin 9 l-osee, 2; Grey Lynn, lmin 11 3-osee, 3; Devonport, lmin 13 2-osoc, 4.

SHAW'S BANKRUPTCY.

Christchurch, February 7

Judgment was delivered by Justice Denniston in tho case of the Official Assignee in the estate of Walter Sha r. v. the Timaru Property Company and others. This was an action to sot aside an agreement of sale and purchase between tho parties on th-i

ground that it was inequitable and un-

conscionable. In a lengthy judgment His Honor reviewed the facts. Shaw, said the judge, had been the active party in securing the transaction, am! had employed for the purpose fraud and falsehood. It was not merely a

question of concealing the fact, but

Shaw deliberately understated defendants' liability and misstated his own

financial position. The Court knew no reason which suspended or modified the doctrine that he who came for re-

lief from a hard or unconscionable bar-

gain must come with clean hands. Judgment was given for the defendant. Mr Hunter, for the Law Society, ap-

jjlicd for a rule nisi calling on Shaw to appear before the Court to show reason

J why he should not lie struck off the j roll on the grounds of fraudulent con- , duct and the sentence of imprisoni ment. The judge granted the applica- ! tion.

DOCTOR IN A LIBEL CASE.

Auckland, February 7

Mrs Jane Wilson was awarded £l5O damages in the suit in which she •laimed £5Ol from Dr. Sprague Dukes, .)!' Paparoa, for alleged defamation in alleging that "she had refused to nurse her child for fear of infection.

STOWAGE OF CARGO.

Auckland, February 8

Judgment for plaintiffs was given for Mr Kettle, S.M., at the adjourned hearing of the .case of Witt. Cook and Sons v. master of the

;.s. Itimutaka, in which £2o:was claini;d for damages alleged to have been lono by the improper stowage of a big •oil of wire rope on the voyage from Liverpool to. 'Auckland. The weather, His Worshipi considered,.■ was Pot so rough that "an act of Cod" could be pleaded, and it was, in fact, the duty of ships' officers to anticipate such weather. Judgment would bo for the plaintiffs, the amount to be left tor settlement. Mr Richmond was given '.oaveto appeal if he saw fit'on certain legal points. < ;<■ ! ■■ '•,- •; ..

POLICE v. STRIKERS.

Wellington, February 7

Regarding the charges by tlie Chief Justice as to siipineness on the part of the police during the Featlierston street riot in Wellington during the strike, the Minister of Justice (Mr rlerdman) says although the reports )f police slackness were absurdly exaggerated by the people, there appeared to be some foundation for the suggestion that five or six men showed reluctance to do duty. The police had strict instructions to maintain order ,\ih] make arrests where practicable. Evidence existed in the Feathersioti street riot this was not done, and it looked as if a small number of the force sympathised with the strikers. The Minister referred to the efforts to form a police association. The movement was steadily supported and encouraged by prominent Opposition politicians and Opposition organs, but steadily and vigorously resisted by the Oovorninent, with the result that at the time of the strike some members of the force were dissatisfied. This may account for the inactivity. Some men in Featlierston street had been in. formed by the police authorities that Sir Joseph Ward's speech in the House upon the Post Office Square incident did not encourage constables on duty to display undue activity. The Chief Justice's suggestion that 50 arrests should have been made was not practicable, as arresting men and escorting them to the lock-up would have weakened the force on the scene of action. Except for the featlierston street incident the conduct of the force was exemplary. They worked untiringly. showed patience, tact, firmness, and courage, as testified to by the officers of specials and citizens. The attacks at different times on the force were, iii the main, unfair and unwarranted and without justification. The general charge of siipineness on the part of the authorities "I emphatically deny." Additional sentences in the strike cases are: Ackland 12 months,. Coldough 21 months, Hassett two years, Johnstone nine months. Seal seven months, Beaumont nine months, Parker seven months, Stephens three months, and Stupaiieh twelve months.