ITEMS OF INTEREST.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43085, 27 April 1907, Page 4

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

At; the Auckland Police Court twenty one parents were charged with failing to send their children to school, and were mulcted in fines varying from 6s and costs to £% 9s and costs. An accident occurred at the Martha, mine to a man named J. Maher. A

fall of stone caught him, jamming the back of his leg below the knee, and badly icutting Ms hand. The Rev. Mr- Thompson, of Coromandel, was farewelled on Friday night, and presented with a purse of sovereigns from the residents of Cbromandel, Mercury Bay, Gumtown, and Kuaotiunu. Mrls Thompson also was presented with a cheque. o*ur Wadhi correspondent writes: A 1 ma-n named J. C. Latimer was the victim of a painful accident whilst working, ini one of the stopes at the (Martha mine. Bis feet slipping, from under him he fell against the protruding jagged quartz, with the result that painful injuries were inflicted tio his arms. A little girl named Violet Varney, daughter of Mr J. Varney, of Bamilton, met with a painful accident in a rathier peculiar manner. She uses the coach which, runs between Framkton and Eamilton on her way to school, and it seems that the brake of the vehicle is partly uncovered inside the coach. Eer foot was caught as the

brake was applied, and the toes were badly crushed. Bis Eonor (Mr Justice Chapman, during argument in 'the Court- of Appeal, had occasion to refer to the different attitude which jurists of to-day take up towards persons found guilty of certain offences, as compared with the views expressed and carried into ‘ effect by Judges of but a, few years Jago. Particularly was this the case 'with regard to the crime known to the law as ‘blasphemy.” “Why,” said his Eonor, “I very well remember a man in New! South Wales being sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for saying that 'Moses was a murderer, and that

was only thirty-five years ago!” Our Auckland correspondent writes: “Detectives Miller and Scott arrested a young man, after smart chase along High street, up Victoria street, and into Coburg street. The man was overhauled at the crest of the hill, and taken to the look-up, where he was charged with the theft of a quantity of lead last June from the boat Why Not. On the application of Chief Detective Marsack, the accused, John Shleiard, was remanded for a week, Detective Mlarsaek stating that the witnesses necessary in the ease were scattered in various places.”

In connection with the agitation for single desks it has been stated that in the United States and Canada this Class of school desk Was being abandoned in favor of the dual desk. A mother in Berlin boxed the ears of her seven year old daughter, and the child died of brain fever, the results of the punishment. The mother is to be tried for manslaughter. The Rev. T. Fulljames and Mrs Fuilj antes, who formerly resided at the Thames, celebrated their diamond wedding at Tuakau last week. They were married a,t Chichester, 'England, in 1847, and cam© to NeW Zealand in 1863. Mr Fulljames is a cheerful old gentleman 1 , 92- year's of age, and his intellectual faculties are still unimpaired. 'His wife is still active and bright, although 83 years old. The aged couple received many congratulations on the memorable occasion. It is gratifying to be able to record in these days, when football clubs rao sometimes accused of misconduct on tour, that one team at least has redeemed the honor of football. A: team from the Dunedin Football Club was a.t Christchurch at Easter, and the landlord of the hotel at which they stayed was so pleased at their excellent conduct that he voluntarily wrote a letter to the manager conveying his appreciation.

In view* of tibie retirement from, office of the Waihi Borough Council, the operations of that body during the Council year just ended afford interesting reading. The receipts for the year totalled £24,445, the chief sources of revenue being gold duty and goldfields revenue £17,477, and gas works £2,243. Expenditure amounted to £24,483, made up 'chiefly as follows: Road formation and maintenr ance, £10,449 ; plant and buildings—abbatoirs, £634 1 ; gas, £3670; sanitary, £611; total £4915 ; Eospital and Charitable Aid Board, £1250;

library, recreation reserves, and other kindred objects, £754; interest and sinking fund, £1724; prevention of fire, 1£229; street lighting, £661. The bank overdraft on Ist April, 1906, stood at £19,744, whilst at 31st March 1907, it was £20,782; increase £1039. With gold revenue after the Easter holidays the overdraft shows a decrease.

Two clever oardsharpers, members of the fashionable Rerolina Club, have been detected and compelled to quit the capital. One is a German and the other a South American. They operated. as partners, and contrived to smuggle marked cards into the packs used in exchange for the right cards. They gained enormous sums night after night, and played so cleverly that their sharping was long unsuspected. Finally, a miscroaeopic examination of the cards was made, and on the backs were found small scratches, which the men Were able to feel withi their fingers. A deputation Ifrom the dub Executive thereupon visited the German’s luxurious bachelor’s chambers in Hochstrasse, and taxed him with cheating. 'He did not attempt to deny his guilt, and promised to leave Germany without- delay. He took the first train to Monte -Carlo. The South American, knowing nothing of his partner’s fate, reappeared at the club the following evening, (but the porter informed ham that he Could not be admitted. He followed the German to Monte Carlo. The joint winnings ofj the pair during 1906 are estimated, ajmroxunately at (£IOO,OOO.