SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 66, 18 March 1907, Page 3

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By TeTegraph.—tress Association.!

SO TRAMS ON GOOD FRIDAY.

DUNTEDIN, this day. The decision of the City Council to snsupend the running of the'tramways on Good Friday having been protested against by the ratepayers, a special meeting of the Council will be held tomorrow afternoon to consider a proposal to rescind the resolution.

SENTENCED TOR EMBEZZLEMENT.

CHRISTCHTJRCH, Saturday. Olaf Kavli, who pleaded guilty in the lower Court, at Timaru, to a charge of embezzlement, came up for sentence before Mr. Justice Cooper this morning. Counsel for the defence said that the prisoner was charged with embezzling sums of money from his employers, Dalgety and Co.. altogether about £260 being involved. Prisoner was a native of Norway, of good family, aged 28, and with ho friends in the colony. He was a highly competent man, but seemed to have been overworked, and counsel submitted that his salary was inadequate. The trouble began with a sliortage in the petty cash, and prisoner took moneys that were paid in to make these good. The work was harassing and worrying, and prisoner was induced to take too much alcoTiol. Subsequently he had remained to face the consequences of his actions, and had given every facility for investigation. Counsel pleaded for a lenient sentence. His Honor said he could not admit prisoner to probation. The misconduct had extended over a considerable period, and his thefts amounted to £260. It had been decided that such conduct denoted an established criminal intent within the meaning of the First Offenders' Probation Act. He would like to give the prisoner a chance of rehabilitating himself, but must impose a penalty that would act as a warning. The prisoner was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently.

WOOL FIRES COMMISSION.

CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The Wool Fires Commission, Dr. McArthur (chairman), Mr. W. G. Foster, and Captain Blackburne, sat in Christchurch to-day and took evidence with reference to the recent fire in the wool department at the Belfast Freezing Works. Mr. W. Murray, manager of the Christchurch Meat Company, Mr. F. Wavmouth, managing director of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, Mr. G. A. Ellis, fellmonger at the Belfast freezing works, and Mr. H. E. Morgan, foreman of the dry wool department, -were examined. None of the witnesses could offer any definite suggestion as to the cause of the outbreak of the fire, except that a spark from the chimney might have been blown into the upper storey through the corrugated iron roof.

Charles Stewart Edwards gave evidence in respect to a fire that occurred in some dressed flax at Kaiapoi about 32 years ago. He said that after the flax had lain in a heap, for some time it was seen to collapse, and steam was observed to rise from it. The heap was "broken out," and he observed a distant red glow in the whereas the outside was untouched. Other evidence was heard, and the sitting closed at half-past three p.m.

UNIMPROVED LAND EATING.

CHRISTCHTJRCH, this day.

A record compiled by Mr. Ell, M.HVR., shows that since the introduction of the system of rating on unimproved lands, polls have been demanded in 28.districts, with a new to adopting the system, the foljowing being the results: Counties, 20 won, none lost; total 20. Road districts, 10 won, 2 lost; total 12. Town districts, 2 lost; total 2. Cities and boroughs, 38 won, 10 lost; total 48. Grand totals: 70 won, 12 lost; total 82.

FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

CHRISTCHLRCH, this day. Fire yesterday afternoon destroyed a six-roomed house in Moorhouse-avenue, occupied by Mr. Henry Thomson. The house was insured for £500 (office not known), and the furniture for £100 in the State office. The cause is supposed to have been a defective chimney.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.

CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. A rather pitiful case was brought before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., this morning, when a young girl, named Ivy Warner, appeared to answer a charge of attempting to commit suicide. The girl stated that she was 19 years of age, and had tried to cut her throat on account of suffering from dental troubles. The magistrate pointed out to the girl the folly of her conduct, and convicted and discharged her.

TRAMWAY ACCIDENT.

CHEISTCHUitCH, Sunday. A car forming part of one of the two o'clock trams to Sumner this afternoon became derailed when approaching the new. Heathcote bridge, and crashed into anfc electric trolley-pole. The fore part of the car was stove in, but no injury resulted to the passen»;rs. The car was full of visiting firemen lat the time.