GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 89, 23 July 1910, Page 5

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

ALLEGED ASSAULT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. In the Paeroa Police Court to-day, before P. J. Burgess, S.M., a middle-aged man named Patrick Kelly was charged with having assaulted a married woman at Karangahake on July 6, and again on July 8. with the intent to commit a criminal offence on both occasions. Accused pleaded not guilty. After taking evidence on the nrst charge, it was withdrawn by the police. Accused was remanded on the second charge until Wednesday, July 27.

TELEPHONE BUREAU CHARGES. Palmerston North, List Night. At a meeting of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce to-night it was resolved, "That in the opinion of this meeting the present arrangements for charging bureau communications fees are not on business lines; that subscribers are entitled to a list, be it dailv, weekly, or monthly, of the fees with which they are charged; that subscribers be not cut off from using the bureau without formal written notice of default having been made in payments due; further, that subscribers shall be notified by the attendant at the conclusion of each three minutes." It was also resolved that, failing a satisfactory reply from the Post-master-General, the Chamber of Commerce be invited to take the matter up, and invite the co-operation of the other Chambers throughout the colony with the object of having the matter redressed.

A SERIOUS CHARGE. Gisborne, Last Night. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, James Ralton was charged with tampering with the machinery of the Gisborne Times Company, and'also with tfceft. He was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court.

RAIN DOWNPOUR IN NAPIER. Napier, Yesterday. An extraordinary downpour of rain occurred last night from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Over three inches were registered. Some low-lying streets were covered with water,' but the cessation of rain allowed it to drain away. Rain is again falling steadily. HABITUAL CRIMINALS. Wellington, Yesterday. The Minister of Justice stated to a deputation that he intended to introduce a Bill under which a board of experts will be set up to deal with appeals of criminals m gaol. The board would hear the appeals, for instance, by habitual criminals as to their detention. Prisoners so detained would be carefully examined at fixed intervals as to the measure of restoration that has taken place in their moral characters.

XiAVAL AND MILITARY TOURNAMENT. Palmerston North, July 22. A special meeting of the Naval and Military Tournament Committee was held last evening, when the alteration in date to December 31 and January 2, 1011, was unanimously confirmed. The committee have made' strong efforts to secure Australian competitors for the coming tournament, and replies read to last night's meeting from officers commanding in the >states of the Commonwealth show there is considerable promise of the Australian forces being well represented. The question of the retention of physical drill competitions was discussed. Prominence had been given to the matter by Surgeon-Colonel Purdv nt the Wellington Garrison Officers' Club, the P.M.O. declaring that hvsieal drill entailed considerable strain on the heart. It was decided to retain the competitions, it being considered that as teams entering were physically sound and the training gradual, little strain was placed on the individuals. Tn deference to Colonel Purdy's opinion, however, it was decided to consider the matter further in future tournaments.