NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 130, 4 February 1915, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

DUNEBIN CENTRAL SEj£J YESTERDAY'S ELECTION. MR STATHAM SECURES SMALL LEAD. LARGE NUMBER OF ABSENT VOTES TO COME. DUNEDIN, Feb. 3. In the contest for the Dunedin Central sear, the final result (less absent votes) was announced as follows: STATHAM (G.J '. . . 3842 MUNRO (L.) 3825 There are 424 absent votes, and 104 seamen's votes (528 in all) to come. LATER ABSENT VOTES CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN FIRST STATED. DUNEDIN, Feb. 3. A great deal of interest was taken in Die Dunedin Central election today. The weather was fine, until late in the afternoon, when rain fell i'.cr a time. The total number cf names on the rcll was 9415, and 76G8 valid votes were e:.st, as against 7399 at the general election in December. Large crowds congregated in front of the newspaper clfices, awaiting the results. Ccrrceticn: The number cf absent votes to come is 222, and seamen's votes 35. The absent voters are scattered all over the Dominion, and prob. ably the result will be indefinite for a few days. '," ; . sg

POLLING PARTICULARS. -* OPINIONS FAVOUR STATHAM. DUNEDIN ,Feb. 4. There were fifteen informal votes cast at the Dunedin Central election. An .cfflcial scrutiny i.s now proceeding-, which will probably be finished on Saturday, when it is expected that absent voters - and seamens' votes will have been counted There are 230 .of the former and 54 cf the latter. Rival parties appear to agree with the popular belief that, the majority of absent votes have been cast for Stat ham. A LIFE SENTENCE. i A TIMA.RU LAD.

TJMARO, Feb. 4

John Daintry Campbell Birch, aged IS, who pleaded guilty at the Supreme Court yesterday, cf attempting to murder James O'Ocnnell was sentenced to-day by Judge Denniston to imprisonment for life.

A FORGER CONVICTED. TIE BLAMES SHOPKEEPERS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. ' Charles Hector Dudley . pleaded guilty to-day ,cf forging and uttering nine cheques He victimised a number of tradesmen' by buying furniture, male and female clothing, and arranging to purchase a meter car. in "several cases he received change from the valueless cheques given. Aecusd, a young man, said he had been drinking heavily and cculd not understand why shopkeepers had taken his cheques. One witness admitted Dudley was under the influence of liquor. He was committed for sentence.

ALLEGED THEFT. NIGHT PORTER ACQUITTED. WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. At tlie Supreme Court, Arthur William Foete, charged with stealing £9 .'rem a safe in the hotel at which he was night porter, wan acquitted. A RESERVE OFFICER. "GOING TO THE FRONT. DUNEDIN, Feb. 4. Captain Redmcnd Neil, who is on the reserve, an cilicer of the Princess Victcria's Royal Irish Fusiliers Regiment, and who was adjutant to half battalion cf the 4th Wellington Regiment, in the Sampan expeditionary force, will be sent to the front with reinforcements. NURSES CONTINGENT. 1 . / J NO MORE NEED APPLY. " WELLINGTON, Feb. 4.

Notwithstanding the intimations published that no further applications for inclusion in the contingent of New Zealand nurses can be considered, they still pour in. The matron in charge announces that the list is completed, and it is useless for any more to apply. .. - ?V'

SOLDIERS' DEPENDENTS. i

AN EXPLANATION. WELLINGTON, Feb, 4. Regarding coplaints concerning "jfcrovision made for members of the expeditionary force dependents the Defence authorities state that full opportunity and facilities were provided, and the men were asked (there was no authority to compel them) to sign allotments at the end of the first month. About 20 per cent, signed accordingly, but 80 per cent, demurred to. their, allotments, taking effect before the date" of embarkation. • This 8 statment is made in reply ; to that telegraphed from Dunedin.