NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 120, 22 January 1915, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

A STREW:’ MELEE. .• .a ■ ; TERRITORIALS AND POLICE, 'i (By Tclefrapli.—Press Association.} WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. Five members of the Territorial icrces and three constables participated in a melee in the street yesternight. Pour of the soldiers were charged tc-clay, throe with obstructing constables,.cue with resisting, and another with inciting to resist ami with assaulting a constable. The constable gave evidence that he received a complaint that two men had been insulting women and visited the locality. He found the men sitling cn the kerbing. Oil speaking to : i, one man, net in custody, at-.m-ked witness 'With a bayonet, but tint .was taken from him, and ho was ; ndcuffed. While Wing escorted to the Police Station two others interfered, and the constable was struck on the head, and the man got away. Two more constables came on the scene, and the four accused were arrested. All were convicted and handed to the military authorities to be dealt with. Each were ordered to pay 3s 4d damages to handcuffs and shako. NEW ZEALAND AVIATOR. GOING TO THE FRONT. WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. William Scotland, the well-known New Zealand aviator, lias decided to join the aviator corps at the front. He sails for England in about three weeks’ time. Discussing the possibilities of flying in Irew Zealand, Mr Scotland expressed the opinion that Canterbury was His best district, and if a school of aviation was ever set up in the Dominion Christchurch was the most suitable centre. THE CASE AGAINST DUERKOP. WELLINGTON, Jan, 21. At the Magistrate's Court this afternoon the hearing of the charges against Heinrich Wilhelm Magnus Duerkop, produce merchant, of Auckland, of trading with the enemy, was concluded. Duerkop was further crossexamined on letters which had passed between him and Gustav Witt, of Hamburg. One letter contained the phrase, “If damage occurred to goods on the way to Hamburg, the South British Insurance Company would be liable.” Tbe prisoner explained that “Hamburs” was due to a slip of the pen, and “Rotterdam” was. intended. Another letter written by Duerkop state dthat the Germans in New Zealand were being reproached for brutalities by the German soldiers in Europe. He himself had to act diplomatically,but he hoped the war would soon end,and; the issue be favourable to Germany, Replying to questions, Duerkop said he had not sent goods anywhere except to a Dutch firm He had been advised that he could legally do this. The insurance and shipping companies accepted business to Rotterdam in the ordinary course of trade, and his only object in sending the goods to Holland was to minimise his losses. This concluded the case, and Duerkop was committed for trial.

GISBORNE DROWNING FTAAUTY. GISBORNE, Jan 22. Whilst the Beach-befmtifying, Carnival was In progress yesterday afternoon a sad fatality occurred. Among dozens of bathers enjoying a dip were H. McLean, cl' Nelson, and Mr Gilchrist, two commercial travellers who were visiting Gisborne. Both were caught hi the undertow and carried seawards. Huge b}« akHrs engulfed McLean, who was not seen again. Gilchrist was in difficulties and battled desperately for life, and be was assited ashore by a man named Bishop, greatly exhausted and with a nasty gash on his leg. Mr McLean, aged 33, was to have been married in March next. He was a native of Victoria, his parents residing- in Melbourne. Several ycun gladies got into the undertow and were in danger till rescued. ANNIVERSARY DAY. WELLINGTON■ S DIAMOND JUBILEE. WELLINGTON. Jan. 22. The weather is unpleasant for Anniversary Day, to celbrate the Diamond Jubilee of Wellington. A comprehensive old time programme had been arranged, but the rain which fell in tile morning necessitated postponement of the original arrangements, FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. i AT TAEINGAMOTIJ. TAUMAEUNUI, Jan. 22. A terrible accident occurred this morning at Taiingamotu. A timber company’s line train of open trucks and a covered passenger car tuns from Tar* ingamotu to Waihihi,. a number of Maoris travelling on the open trucks .and Pakehas ware travelling in the covered ear. Apparently the train yan off! the line as the trucks were overturned, killing a Maori child and badly injuring its mother; also breaking .the legs of two Maori women, ind an arm of anether. Fortunately the covered van saved the Pakehas, who escaped in-