NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Taihape Daily Times, 9 October 1918, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR. OUTSIDE PROHIBITED AREA. DISTURBANCE AT PAPAKURA. — m The precautions taken by the Defence authorities to prevent the sordiers returned on Monday from, obtaining liquor, by closing all hotels within a radius of 15 miles of the chief post office at;Auckland, were not as effective"' as was anticipated. ... On Monday morning eight or nine motor cars loaded with' soldier passengers proceeded to Papakura. which is about five miles outside the 15-mile radius, and for ittie greater portion of the day, it is state*, cars were being 'driven between the hotels at Papakura and Drury. Some of the soldiers became more ■or less noisy and unruly at various 'times, much to the distress of lady residents. Several people, including a clergyman and isome ladies,, endeavoured to reduce the most obstreperous of trie men to behave reasonably and return to Auckland, but with little or no avail. Ultimately the car containing the most unruly was driven to Pap»toetoe, where some disturbance was created before the car went en toward the city. ; Some of the men had not left Papakura- at 6.40 p.m., and ir any Southerners were in the party they probably missed the train, whicii left Auckland for the South at 7.30 p.m. \>o ?<■.■■' '.' '.'B r i':u': '.

It is stated that a result of this experience the local authorities at Papakura and Drury intend taking steps to have the hotels at those centres placed out of bounds to all future returing drafts. OF N.Z. TROOPS TO CONTINUE. CORRECTING A WRONG IDEA. WELLINGTON, thfs day. Enquiries reaching the Defence Department indicate that the idea is abroad that the present good newts from the battle front is going to affect the despatch of troops from New Zealand. There is no ground for this belief so far as the October and November drafts are concerned, the mes for which will mobilise on the dates rO/.-eady arranged. The December uraft has been dropped, as announced some time ago, and the January and February drafts may be combined, entering camp as one in the latte* month; but no announcement has been made on this point. Yet the camps now have a surplus of men, whicn will be increased by this week's mobilisation of the Forty-seventh reinforcements. The authorities consider it sound policy to have men in hand at the present juncture in order that New Zealand may he in a position to meet all demands at the crisis of the war. DEATH ~OF SOLDIER IN CAMP. WELLINGTON, this day. Private % James Purdie, A Company, 48th Reinforcements, died at Featherston Camp yesterday from cerebr© spinal meningitis. Deceased was 42 years of age, married, his wife residing in New Plymouth. ITEE IN WELLINGTON'. WOMAN BADLY BURNED " WELLINGTON, this day. Shortly after lOo'elock last night a fire broke 'out in a two-storied house of seven rooms at 139 Taranaki Street, occupied by William Feavey, and own-

ed by Mr Firth, of the Albion Hotel* The progress of the flames was rapid; in fact, Mrs. Heavey, wif3 of .the occupier, in tha confusion which arose was severely burned and had a narrow c3fcape, the brigade having some difficulty in rescuing . her. The occupants of the house, including the boarders, had gone to bed, and she went upstairs to rouse them. Both the building and the tents suffered considerable injury. The latter was insured.

Mrs. Heavey, who is 53 years of age, was taken to the hospital yesterday, and is in a serious condition, being badly burned about the back, face, head, arms, and hands. THE FALSE ACCUSATION CHARGES. VERDICT GIVEN. WELLINGTON, this day Corporal W. A. Doridant, of the New Zealand Military Police, was found guilty in the District Courtmartial on four charges of making false accusations 'against Captain Gray, Assistant Provost Marshal, and sentenced to be reduced to the ranksand 2S days' detention. TAIHAPE BOROUGH LAW-SUIT. JUDGMENT FOR DEFENDANTS. WELLINGTON, this day. The Full Court, in its judgment inthe case of Collins (Auditor and Con-troller-General) versus Arrowsmith and others (former members of theTaihape Borough Council) holds thae the transaction w r as the purchase- of machinery and plant, and not an illegal expenditure in paying off an overdraft, therefore the action for penalties does not lie. Judgment was tot plaintiffs without costs.