THE MASSACRE OF INFANTS.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 351, 23 August 1907, Page 3

THE MASSACRE OF INFANTS.

Wellington, August 22. A deputation from Dunedin, headed by Dr. Truby King, asked Mr McGowan, Minister of Justice, to close certain homes for infants in Dunedin on the ground that babies there are not properly or adequately fed. A baby had been taken from one of these homes and kept some time by the Society for Promoting Health of Women and Children, and the depu- ; tation alleged the infant improved under the Society's care. The Society, however, had not the necessary legal status to retain the baby, which was now back in the home from which the Society had temporarily rescued it. The Minister undertook to consider the matter carefully. SUPREME COURT. Invercargill, August 22. The list of cases for the criminal sitting of the Supreme Court commencing on Tuesday is very light. Frank Coutts and Martin Campbell will be charged with having attempted to dissuade a witness from giving evidence in a licensing case and Stanley Gill with having committed perjury in an affiliation case. ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. Auckland, August 22. Thomas Joseph Gaudin, a wellknown farmer of the Waikato, was accidentally shot at Matakohe. Deceased, who was 32 years of age, recently purchased a faniF at Matakohe and only took occupation on Monday. He was found dead, but no particulars are available to indicate how the accident occurred. Deceased, who was the youngest son of Mr F. Gaudin, of Auckland, served with the first New Zealand Contingent in South Africa. He leaves a widow and child. August 23. Thomas Gaudin was trying to shoot a pheasant on property he had just purchased at Matakohe. The gun caught the wire netting, and the shot entered under his chin. Death waa instantaneous. Dunedin, August 22. The adjourned inquest on the bodies of Ruby Haberfield and Jacob Taielri. her infant son, victims of the fatal fire at Port Chalmers on July 7, was held to-day. The jury returned a verdict that the victims were accidentally burned to death, but there was no evidence to show how the fire had been caused. Napier, August 22. A young man named Michael Ho gan, about 27 years of age, was accidentally killed at Rissmgton this morning, through a dray upsetting and falling on him when engaged in carting chaff. RAIN IN CANTERBURY. Christchurch^ August 23. Heavy rain fell at night, and it is still raining. The fall was general over north and mid Canterbury, and farmers feel re-assured sa to the season. > JOURNALISTIC APPOINTMENT. Wellington, August 23. Mr T. Brownell Handley, of Wellington, has been apointed editor of, the Marlborough Express. THE CONSTANCE CRAIG. Auckland, August 23. The steamer Chelmsford returned this morning, having searched the vicinity of the Great Barrier for traces of the Constance Craig or survivors. At Whangaparapara a hatch and a boat's chock were found, and the former was identified as belonging to the Constance Craig. AUCKLAND RUGBY UNION. Auckland, August 23. Mr Sheahan, Chairman of the Management Of the Auckland Rugby Union, stated at a social gathering of footballers that last season the Auckland Rugby Union gave players a large number of trips, involving an expenditure of £561. The ground at Three Kings purchased by the Union a few years ago for £3,360 is now valued at £9,600. A ROUGH PASSAGE. The barquentine Silver Cloud, which left Mercury Bay on August 12 for Sydney, arrived at Russell last night for shelter. She encountered stormy jreather from the start, and hove to practically the whole time. When she proceeded as far as the Three Kings the captain decided to jiut back to Russell, as it was impossible to make headway against the westerly gale. Part of the rigging was wrecked, but it was repaired before reaching Ru_well. A MAORI KILLED. A Maori named Jerry Petia had his back broken through a log rolling over hint while hauling logs at Kenana, near Mongauui. He died last night. EARLY CLOSING. Blenheim, August 23. Blenheim retailers last night decided by a small majority to close at nine on Saturdays, the new arrangement to come into toroe on the first Saturday after Easter. GOOD FARMING SEASON. Heavy rain fell during the night. So far it has been a perfect season for farming operations. SUFFOCATED BY A DRAY. Napier, August 23. - At the inquest on Hogan, killed by the overturning of a dray, the jury found a verdict of accidental death through suffocation. SCHOONER FLOATED OFF. Napier, August 23. Advice ha* been received that the schooner 'Stanley was successfully floated off Drewa beach this morning, and is being towed to Auckland, apparently undamaged. RAIN IN THE SOUTH. Oamaru, August 23. About the test rain experienced for two years set in last night and sti.l , continues. It is general throughout the district. DIVORCE. Dl divorce, Mr Justice Chapman to-day in the case of Hardie v. Hardie, husband's petition, for misconduct, granted a decree nisi. Preece v. Preece, wife's petition, restitution of conjugal rights, order made. Richards v. Richards., husband'B petition, decree nisi granted. The nus--4 band was a widower with eight chil--1 dren and the wife with six. The amalgamation of •families caused unhappines* and tho wife loft, set up a separate establishment and refused to return. The petition for restitution of conjugal rights was granted at the previous sitting.

son. >