DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1919, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

A PECULIAR CHARGE. By TeleiTaph— Press Asan.—Copyright. Auckland, Aug. 11. At the Police Court, Pearl Burke, aged 10, was charged with having aided and abetted Jessie West to commit suicide at Whangarci. Accused collapsed after her arrest, and is now in hospital. The depositions of various witnesses were read, including evidence by Mary Murphy, who stated that Jessie West, prior to her suicide, informed her that she had a great friend named Fred Potts, at Cambridge, who shot himself. Potts was a widower with several children, and got into financial difficulties. West said that in order to assist him she married an old man named West, hoping to pet money to give to Potts, but found her husband had no money. West said Potts was a believer in spiritualism and she could communicate with him. In. other respects the evidence went to show that accused knew of West's intention to commit suicide.. Burke was committed for trial. MARAROA HELD UP. Christehurch. Last Night. The ferry steamer Mararoa was held up ct Lytlelton to-night owing lo the crew's refusal to :=ail until the vessel had been fumigated tor 24 hours. This action was taken owing to twenty members of the crew having contracted eickness which, despite medical opinion to the contrary, was suspected by the men to be influenza in an epidemic form. Dr. Upham, port health officer, after a thorough examination, declared the complaint the men were suffering from was- not influenza, but merely severe colds. , The men's decision not to take the vessel to .sea was not definitely announced until the south express was drawn alongside the Mararoa and the passengers were, about to embark. They, therefore, were obliged to return to the city.

The Mararoa resumes her running tomorrow night, and the coastal steamer Manaroa takes the North Island mails to-night.

EXPANSION LEAGUE FOR WELLINGTON. Wellington, Last Ni^lit. The executive of tlie Central Clmmbor of Commerce to-day adopted a proposal to. form an expansion league for the Wellington' district. WITHHOLDING A PRIVILEGE. Wellington, Last Night. Officers commanding llie military hospitals have been authorised by Befence Headquarters t.o withhold the privilege leave usually granted to undischarged soldiers on demobilisation in case* where the conduct of the men in hospital has been unsatisfactory.