NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 18, 22 January 1916, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

PRSIONER COMMITS SUICIDE. AT MARTON POLICE CELLS. - MARTON, This Day. John Harris, who was afrosted for alleged arson at. Marton Junction yesterday, strangled himself in the police cells at Marton some time during last night. Deceased tore a strip from a blanket and hitched it on to the bolt on the ouside of the cell door, and thus strangled himself. An inquest is being held to-day. POLICE RAID AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, January 20. The police raided a small shop in Hobscn Street and took possession of five hogsheads and twelve cases of bottled beverage which was being sold as hop beer. The load weighed about three tons, and was removed to the police station. The liquor will be analysed, the allegation being that it contains more alcohol than is permitted by law. A RAILWAY PORTER KILLED. ■ WELLINGTON, January 20. J . Chapman, about 27 years of age, a goods porter, on relieving duty at'* the Petone station, met hi s death in.? a shocking manner a little after seven, o’clock to-night. While engaged in shunting he slipped, and fed under a moving train, being frightfully mangled. Both legs and arms were almost severed, and his skull wag fractured.. Death must have been instantaneous. A BANK PASS ENTRY. SERIOUS DISCREPANCY. CHARGE OF FORGERY. AGAINST TOURIST OFFICE CLERK CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Constance Moon, who was a clerk in the Christchurch Tourist Office during her father’s occupany of the agency, wa s charged before Mr. Bishop, S.M., to-day that on or about May 10, at Christchurch, she altered an entry in the bank pass book from £ls to £lls, thereby committing the crime of forgery.'

The first witness, G. W. Moon, accused’s father, said that she held the position for five years, and that her duties were to have absolute charge of the books and cash, and she ai* tended to the banking of all the eys. In June, 1915, the Government auditor discovered a discrepancy of £l2B 9/1, and subsequently witness made this sum good - . Regarding the shortages, he had not taken any of the money, and he was perfectly sure that hi s daughter did not. He believed that the auditor’s report had revealed an extraordinary state of muddle, but nothing worse. The case is proceeding.