VICTORIA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 129, 1 June 1907, Page 9

VICTORIA.

Proceedings were recently taken by the Crown law authorities against several publishers of Victorian newspapers for recovery of penalties on account of failure- to register under the Printers and Newspaper Act. In one , case, in : which nearly £90 was claimed, proceed- ! ings have been settled by tho payment of a reduced penalty and 'costs. Some time ago the publisher of the j Melbourne Evening Herald was fined j 3>j.« for having piioliehed betting odds on the Newmarket Handicap prior to tho race being run. An order to review tho Magistrate's decision was obtained, and tho case was disposed of by Mr. Justice Cussen, who held that tho Magistrate was in the right in imposing a line. The order nisi was theretore discharged with costs. A Chinese cabinotmaker named Louey Way Hey, carrying on business in Griffin-lane, was prosecuted at tho Melbourno District Court lately for having permited work to bo carried on at his premises after 5 p.m. The evidence of Constable Cobbledick showed that about 7 p.m. a Chinaman was detected at work at defendant's place. With tho aid of nn interpreter, defendant endavourcd to persuade tho bench that tho door of a sidoboard had fallen down, and the man was raising it when tho com table appeared on tho scene. Mr. Dwycr, P.M. : Well it was very bad luck for tho Chinaman. Mr. Chomley (for tho prosecution) . This man endeavoured to bribe the policeman, and actually paid 12j to him that he might bo "excused"." Mr. Dwyer (to witness): Did you take tho money? Constable | Cobbledick : Yes ; and then I told him I'd report him. Mr. Dwver : They c?o this in China? The Interpreter (Mr. H. Hoyling) •, Yes, sir. • The squeezing process is carried on very extensively there. Defendant (excitedly) : Your wuhhips, we givo it him for his li'lo boy, buy lollies wigh, so's ho no slumyou can't do that kind of thing in this mon me. Mr. Dwyer : Well, you see, country. You may be committed to gaol for a couplo of years for bribery hole. You understand ? Defendant understood, for ho smilingly shrugged his shoulders, and asked for time to pay tho fine of 40s with 31s costs, and departed on his way. On the 22nd May, tho High Court of Australia was still occupied with appeal against the enforcement of income tax on Federal salaries. At tho latest advices Mr. Irvino was dealing with tho question as to what was tho real agreement, entered into between tho States with legard to the High Court ns expressed in the Constitution. The jVictorian Government has decl-

ded to _ appoint In&pector Ltleeson to the position of superintendent of the criminal investigation branch,' in succession to Superintendent Sdinsbtu-y, who recently applied to bo trjn£i*eried to Bendigo for health reasons.