Second Edition. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 53, 24 June 1914, Page 6

Second Edition. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A case of smallpox is reported from Newcastle. The Rev. J. D. Jones, a noted Congregational minister, in Dunedin, has received a cable informing him that the degree of Doctor of Divinity has been conferred upon him by the Home University.—P.A. The residence of R. O’Douell, trainer for Stead’s, was destroyed by lire yesterday at Yftldhurst. A Christchurch P.A. message states that the outbreak did not reach stables, and the horses were got out safely. Hiram Dexter, a young man, pleaded guilty at Wellington to seven charges of the theft of jewellery from hotels and was committed for sentence. All Hie stolen jewellery was recovered except one ring, states the Press Association. At Oamaru John Johnston, a constable, pleaded guilty to a charge of desertion from the police force. Ihe Press Association states that Johnston’s counsel .explained that Johnston was given- to understand from Inspector Mitchell (Dunedin) that his resignation would take effect from the day it left Oamaru, and suggested that the charge be altered to one of leaving the service .without permission in writing. This was agreed to, and the Magistrate fined Johnston £25. In Christchurch (states the Press . Association), a man entered the shop of Metz, a pawnbroker in the city, this morning, and asked to see a brooch. While Metz was picking a brooch out of the window the man dealt him four severe, blows on the head with a steel spanner. He failed to stun his victim, so he dropped the spanner and strolled into the street and-waited quietly away. Metz staggeVed out .and called on people to stop .his assailant, 'which was. done* and his arrest, was effected. Metz received, three valp wounds and a nasty cut between the, eyes. He received medical attention at once. Nothing was taken from the shop. It is believed his assailant was an Australian criminal.