GENERAL CABLES

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 149, 26 February 1915, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES

THE HARTLEPOOL RAID. A REMARKABLE COURT CASE. Press Association —Copyright. (Reed. 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 25. There are some curious cases arising out of the bombardment of West Hartlepool. In the Court a plaintiff claimed that he found in the gutter of his house a piece of a German missile, fired during the raid, weighing 47 pounds, which defendant unlawfully took from him. Defendant’s story was that he was the agent of the house struck by the shell, and as the tenant has renounced his title to it, the piece in dispute was his. Twenty pounds had been offered for it as a relic. The judge characterised the action as ridiculous, ahd wouldn’t give a half-penny for it. Anyone offering £2O was a fool. If the Germans came again shells would be so common that people would not bother to pick them up. The plaintiff’s solicitor stated there was a market for shell fragments at ten shillings a piece. The judge found judgment for the defendant. BELGIAN RELIEF. GIFT FROM TASMANIA. (Reed. 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 25. Mr McCall is dividing Tasmania’s £SOO for Belgian Relief• between the Belgium refugees in England. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONGRESS.

LONDON, Feb. 26 The Empire Congress of the Chamber of Commerce fixed to be held in Toronto has been postponed for a year.

A FAILING CUSTOM SHOULD CAPTAINS BE COUETMAETIALLED ? LONDON, Feb. 2d Lord Selbonrne, in the House of Lords, moved affirming the expediency of maintaining court-martials, in the best interests of the Navy and the public. He said Mr Churchill’s explanation was a departure from custom, and unworthy of his intelligence. There were strong arguments in favour of courtmartials in the ease of the Formidable Oressy, Hogue and Aboukir. SECRECY BAD FOR THE NATION. LONDON, Feb. 25 Lord Selbonrne added that the secrecy over naval disasters was bad for the national temperament. Lord Emmott said no law necessitated a court-martial. The motion would take away the Abmiralty’s discretion, which ought not to be interfered with at present. The Admiralty’s action during the war was without prejudice to subsequent nations. The attendance of officers at a court-martial would' seriously interfere with the navy’s work. Lord Lansdowne believed that Mr. Churchill’s apprehension that officers play for safety was a misconception. Court-martials could be held in secret to prevent the leakage of information to the enemy. The debate was adjourned.