SOUTHERN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 192, 14 August 1911, Page 6

SOUTHERN NEWS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AN UNHEALTHY CONDITION. WELLINGTON, this day. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning. Mr. .Justice Chapman, in charging the grand jury, r-aid that though the gTeater number of cases were of the most ordinary kind, there were some of a serious nature, and one or two of an exceptionally shocking kind. Ue was sorry to see, session after session, the same feature in a very marked degree, and in a more marked degree than in some of the Southern provinces, of cases of sexual crime. The severe sentences passed did not seem to reduce the cases. There had been too many such cases, and there must bp a very unhealthy state of affairs, mora.lly speaking. What was described by Mr. Justice Chapman as one of thp most shocking cases which has ever been before the Court was heard to-day. when Ray Lawton, 14 years of ago. was charged with committing rape on a girl of 15. The boy did not blame th<> girl. Accused said he was the son of a widow who was left with seventeen children. The boy was committed to the industrial school.

SUDDEN DEATH OISBORNE, this day. William Milne, engine-driver, died suddenly at Kan:ie Kanaea. He was found in a paddock suffering gTeat pain. An inquest was dispensed with, the coroner being satisfied that death was due to natural causes. THE POSSIBLE. DUNEDIN, this day. Phyllis Perry scored 150 points, the possible, in the advanced grade at the Royal Academy of Music in the May examination. Mr. Cachemaille remarks that this is the highest marks ever given in New Zealand. DUNEDIN SUPREME COURT. DUNEDIN, this day. The criminal sittings opened this morning 'before Mr, Justice Williams. There are only three cases, none of them being of a serious character. TYPOGRAPHICAL CONPEKENOR WELLINGTON, this day. By the request of the Typographical Association Mr. Hally (Conciliation Commissioner) has consented to act as chairman at a meeting of the Association representatives and delegates from the Master Printers' Association, to bo held at Wellington on the 24th and 25th August. MISCELLANEOUS. WELLINGTON, Sunday. James Joseph Martin, expressman, died in hospital to-day, as the result of injuries received through falling from an express on August 4. NELSON, this day. On Sunday afternoon a fire broke out in Bridge-street, opposite the new "Mail" office, and gutted Mr. Louisson's oil and paint shop, an old building. The insurance is £l5O on stock and tools and £SO on building in the New Zealand office.