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Evening Star, Issue 20023, 14 November 1928, Page 6

Leave to apply to the Court of Appeal for a new trial in tho case of Francis James Carroll, one of two expolicemen convicted on a charge of arson in connection itli the explosion and fire on Aufeust 29 at Carroll’s shop in Napier street, Auckland, was refused by Mr Justice Smith in the Auckland Supreme Court. The contention on behalf of the prisoner was that there was no evidence to justify a verdict of arson against him, and no proof that ho committed the crime or counselled, aided, or abetted its committal. The judge said the only possible conclusion from the facts was that Carroll intended the destruction of the promises and contents by fire, and that his presence at and encouragement of tho removal of the goods from the shop amounted to aiding and abetting in tho commission of the offence. —Press Association.

The Arbitration Court sat at Christchurch yesterday to hear an application from the employers to make a comprehensive award in respect to the engineering, boilonnaking, moulding, and metal trades. The application was opposed by the unions. The court decided that it would make such an award in respect to the engineering, boilermaking, and moulding branches of the industry. The award for metal workci's’ assistants would not be interfered with, and would remain as at present.—Press Association. *!ia secretary of the Otago A. and P. Society is in a position, after scanning the entries already received for the approaching show, to state that cattle will he a strong section, and it is hoped that the trophy valued at 21 gs anonymously offered to the society for the best two geldings, fouryears old or over, will produce a very high-class competition, for flic prize is open to all. An Association message from Taumarunui states that early this morning an old house belonging to the Matapuna Ratepayers’ Association was destroyed by fire. The building was to have been used to-day as a coiling booth.

In tespcct of t lie canvassing-of the licensees of the two Wallncctown hotels by a prominent Prohibitionist for funds for the campaign against Restoration in Invercargill, speculation has been rife in that city as to. the details of the reception accorded him. In neither ease, it appears, was there anything approaching a scene. One publican declared with emphasis that, if he had five votes on Wednesday (to-day), he would give four to Restoration and one to National Continuance, but he would give no money to the antiRestoration funds. At the other hotel (according to a correspondent of the ‘ Southland Daily News ’ who claims to be in possession of the full facts) Mr Cummings, the canvasser eoiicorned. was handed his hat. with the words: “It’s a case of two fires meeting, but to show you that T am a gentleman we will shak'e hands, and I’ll bet you £lO that National Prohibition is not carried.”

Mr H. L. Taplcy, at his meeting at the George Street Hall last night, announced that he had received a telegram from the Minister of Education (the Hon. R. A. Wright) respecting the new Albany Street School. The telegram stated;—“l am recommending a grant for the erection of the model school and filling and levelling. It will bo necessary before proceeding with the work for our architect, and the Otago Education Board to hold a conference. After the erection of the model school and the necessary levelling, the question of the new Albany Street School will be considered.” “ I did not know what I was doing at the time. 1 was muddled,.” said Septymus Edgar Williams in the Police Court this morning when ho pleaded guilty to stealing a brief bag and a bicycle pump, of the total value of 255. Senior-sergeant Quarlermain stated that at about .‘i o’clock yesterday afternoon Mr ilomson, a foreman on the railways, left the bag in the coaching foreman’s office, and subsequently noticed a man, who looked tike the accused, leaving the office with the hag. Later Constable Mahon stopped the man in tho street and asked him what he had in it. The accused said it was drink, but when the bag was opened it was found to contain all the articles which hud boon described by Mr Thomson. The man was unmistakably under the influence of liquor, hut he was quite capable of denying tho offence. The accused said he was employed on relief works at Port Molyncux. “ I will give you a chance, but let this he a lesson to you,” said the magistrate (Mr J. R. Bartholomew) as he convicted the accused and ordered him to come up for sentence any time within six months.

Alanifcstatums of excitement at General Elections in New Zealand have been in steady diminuendo ever since tho reform of voting by ballot was introduced. Tho people nowadays may think as fiercely as ever, hut they make no uproar. An example of the turmoil that our fathers went through comes to mind. At Auckland, iu tho ’sixties, T. B. Gillies, who had migrated thither from Dunedin, opposed John Williamson for the superinttndem-y of the province. Sides were takfeu violently, one party tired of Williamson, who had held the position for years, the other party indignant that a Southerner should have tho temerity to challenge. Tho voting was open. Quarrels and fights took place round each booth. During the morning Jones, one of Gillies’a friends, asked Smith to vote for the Snot, and was met by the reply’ that he could not support Williamson any longer, but did nob like to vote against him, so he would not vote at all. Towards the finish Jones made the appeal: “ They’re assaulting every- Gillies supporter, and tho voting is very dose.” That sufficed for Smith the temptation of having a go at tho roughs being irresistible, so lie wonr. along and added one to the handful ol votes that put Gillies in. It was commonly believed that hi.s majority came from men who were influenced solely by the duty' to protest against rowdyism.

Dunedin shopowners arc of freewill taking advantage of the option granted by the City Corporation to erect cantilever verandahs, in some cases as new structures, in others byway of substitution for post-supported verandahs. The cantilever verandah gives more foot loom on the pavements, admits extra light lo the shop fronts, and certainly' adds to the appearance of the street. Some persons may rhink that these hanging verandahs depend for security on the irons by which they are suspended. That is not so. Steel joists are driven well into every building. The widest of the verandahs spreads loft, and its joists penetrate tho building 71T. ■ The city building surveyor sees to these matters, and stipulates for an adequate nuirgain, of safety. Acceptable news to the many holidaymakers who propose to visit our incomparable Milford Sound this season is that the up-to-date hostel there is lo be open for use by the public on December 1. Jt is to accommodate sixtyguests. Another step ahead by tho Tourist Department on the same route is the installing of a new engine in the Xc Anau steamer so as to give her a speed of ten knots, and in that connection it may bo stated that arrangements will probably he made for trips up the arms of that Jake. Heavy bookings at the Dunedin office of the department show that in the coming holidays Milford will he freely patronised, also Wanaka. Qucensown, Manapouri, and other Otago resorts. A big party is coining from Melbourne in January, to be conducted from the Bluff right through New Zealand by a member of the Melbourne office who is well acquainted with our dominion. Thirty have already joined up for that party.

Do you suffer from eye strain? If so, go at once and consult W. V. Sturmer, G.A.0,0., D. 5.0.1., 2 Octagon, Dunedin. —[Advt.j The Tomahawk Improvement Committee will continue its aeries of concerts ami dances, but in future these will bo held in tho St. Kilda Town Hall. Tho next dance takes phico on Saturday night. ;