SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 230, 25 September 1908, Page 5

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) FOURTEEN YEARS' HARD LABOUB.: NAPIER, this day. A young man named Ernest George Mason, found guilty of committing an unnatural offence at Woodville, was sentenced to fourteen years' hard labour. In passing sentence, Mr. Justice Chapman said: " You have been convicted' of one of the most abominable offences described in our moral law, and the eirc_t_s__nce_ in which the offence was committed were more horrible than anything I have ever : heard."

VITAL STATISTICS.

WELLINGTON, this d»T. Tbe total births registered in the fou. principal centres last month, amounted to 627, against 553 in July, an increase of 44. The deaths in August were 237, a decrease of 11 on the. number in July. Of the total deaths males contributed 128, and female; 109.. Forty-six of the deaths were of children under five years of age, being 19.41 per cent of the whole number. Of these 35 were unacr one yea:: of age. There were seventy-three deaths of persons of 65 years and upwards; ten men aged 65 (3)* €6, 6S, Tk 74, 81.33, S_: and eleven women. 65, 88, 'two), 70 (two), 73, 77, 78, 79, S9, 96, died at Auckland. In the borough of Auckland there were registered in August 117 births and 39 deaths: in Auckland and suburban districts 190 births and 53 deaths; Welling.ton and suburbs. 156 births, 71 deaths; Christchurch and suburbs, 154 births, 53 deaths: Dunedin and suburbs, 127 birth*, 61 deaths.

I DISEASES IN EWES.

HASTINGS, this day. The Hawke's Bay A. and P. Society x_-. cently set up a committee, to report pit the experience of farmers with, regard to diseases occurring in ewes previous to lambing. Although the report will not be issued for some weeks, the chairman, in view of the docking season having commenced, wishes it known that several writers express the opinion that docking too short is one of the causes of trouble.

j SOUTITERN COURTS.

NAPIER, this day. In the Supreme Court Joseph Morao was sentenced to two years 1 imprisonment for theft. William Goldfinch (18), who pleaaed guilty on three charges of indecently assaulting girls, was admitted to probation for three years. In divorce, Alice Marion Walker v. George Walker (misconduct), a -decree nisi was granted.

i DUNEDLN HORSE PAIUDE.

DUNEDIN, Thursday. The -~th annual horse parade, undee the auspices of the Otago A. and P- Society, was held to-day in fine weather. The entries were larger than usual. ard competition was very keen. Results: — Aged draught stallions—Baxon Fyvi e _, Royal Derby 2. Pride of Newton J. There were 36 competitors. Three-year-old draught stallions—Majoe Stewart 1, Derby Winner 2, Premiec Adair 3. There were ~ competitors. In hackney stallions Merry Laid secured first. In trotting stallions Lord Va.iderbilt was placed first, and in tha thoroughbred stallions Dirk Ham___g» hand' secured premier position.