NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 9 August 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

——— ■ MORE ESCAPEES FROM SOMES ISLAND. FOUR MEN STILL, AT LARGE. I j WELLINGTON, this day. Four German internees disappeared from Somes Island between 2 and 7 o’clock this morning, and are still ar large. . The names of the men are: Charles Hadler,-: aged 33; William Otteng (alias Brauner), 29; Paul Wolf, 33; Carl Rubenstein, 21. FATAL MOTOR LORRY ACCIDENT. THEFT OF A MOTOR CAR. HAWERA, this day.James White, of Wbakamara, was riding on a motor lorry which was tak ing furniture to Kaupokouui on Wen- j desday when, in coming down a hill, the brake refused to act. White jumped off the lorry apparently wirn the intention of spiking the wheels. He slipped and one wheel passed over his legs, the right receiving a compound fracture and the left being severely injured. White was brought into the Hawera Hospital, where he died this morning. William Holland Making, alias William MacKinnon, who was charged that on July Ist he stole a Dodge motor car, the property of Newton King, Stratford, appeared on remand at the Magistrate’s Court to-day. 'Accused pleaded guilty arid was committed-to the Supreme Court at New Plymoutn t for sentence, bail being allowed, own surety of £IOO and one of £IOO. ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER. VERDICT OP NOT GUILTY. CHRISTCHURCH, August 8. The charge of manslaughter against James Charles Thomson in connection with the death of Edward Bruce, who died as the result of a fall following on a blow, commenced at the Supreme Court to-day. Mr. Alpers, in outlining the case for' the defence, said the accused was & strong young man, 28 years of age, a slaughterman by trade, and was married and the father of five ycuilg children. He taught boxing as a means to augment his living, and was held in high esteem by his fellows. The accused was a clean liver, and did not drink at all. Accused had been grossly insulted by a foul remark to him. That was the cause of the blow, which 1 had, quite unintentionally, had an unfortunate termination. 'Accused baa resented the remarks made by the de-, ceased, but they were repeated more viciously and the deceased made u savage rush. Thomson, knowing his work, had delivered a “left hook,” which would in the ordinary way settie any argument without serious consequences. Thomson had made a mis- 1 take in going into the hotel subsequently, but he had realised that he was in a street row, and had endeavoured to avoid the consequences. Accused bitterly regretted the fatal terurination. Accused gave evidence on the lines of his counsels’ address. He stated that the deceased man did not strike him because he (witness) was too quick, perhaps. The jury, after twenty minutes’ retirement, returned a verdict of “Not Guilty.” Thomson was discharged.