N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9102, 30 May 1908, Page 5

N.Z. TELEGRAMS.

ALLEGED MURDER. BY TKLEQRAI'U —FitESS ASSOCIATION. WESTPORT, May 30. At the trial of Olaf Halimen and Andersen, for the murder of E. J. Bourke, the evidence to-day was directed to a corroboration of the statement that accused were at the theatre from five minutes to eight onward, which is some rrinutes prior to the time fixer! by the Crown witness when the murder took place. 'J he evidence of rebuttal brought by the Crown was chiefly .directed to ascertain the accused's movements at the theatre. One witness stated that about 8.20 p.m., on Friday night, he saw the two accused at the door of his ehop at the time when it had been alleged by other witnesses they were at the theatre. At the conclusion of the evidence the Magistrate reserved his decision till the morning as to whether he would dismiss the charges or commit the accused for trial.

ALLEGED THEFT OF EGGS. WESTPORT, May 30. Hy. Gadd. grader and tester at the Government Poultry Depot, has been committed for trial on a charge of the theft of 150 dozen eggs. ACCIDENT TO A RAILWAY CROSSING KEEPER. . AUCKLAND, May 30. Robert 11. Hanson, aged 50 years, employee] as a railway crossing keeper, was knocked down by an engine which was about to be coupled up to a train he was attending to. Hanson sustained serious injuries, including a fracture of both legs. DEATH OF AN ENGINE-DRIVER. NAPIER, May 29. Robert Rowland Durrant, a wellknown Napier resident, and one of the oldest engine-drivers en the Government railways is dead. He drove the mail train as usual on Thursday, but died in his bed at about three o'clock this morning, probably from heart disease. He was in his 58th year. PAINTERS AND DECORATORS DISPUTE. NAPIER, May 29. The Conciliation Board sat to-day to consider the painters and decorators dispute, and as a result of a conference the employees and employers of Napier and Hastings district came to an agreement including a minimum wage of Is 3d per hour and preference to unionists. SUICIDE AT RICCARTON. CFIRISTCHURCH, May 29. A married woman, named Bessie Blakeway, committed suicide at her residence on the Yaldhurst road, Riccarton, about 11 o'clock last night. I; appears that she retired to bed about 9.45 p.m. in her usual state of health, but when her husband returned home at 11.30 he found the front door open and his wife irir.ing. He immediately made a asnivh *:A found his wife's body lying on its back in the orchard about 80 yards irom the houre. There was a wound about two inches lung on the throat and the windpipe was severed. There was a bloodstained *;able knife lying on the right hand side of the body. An inquest was held to-day, and a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was returned by the jury.