DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 August 1920, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

(Per Press Association.) POTATO EMBARGO REMOVED. W AIM ATE, This Day.—Mr H. E. McGowan, President of the Waimate Potato Glowers’ Association, has received a cable from Dalgety’s, Sydney, stating that the potato embargo has been removed. A SHIPPING MISHAP. WHAKATANE, This Day.—The Tasman, a passenger steamer, after leaving Whakatane early this morning, lost Her rudder 8 and is now proceeding to Tauranga, whence a tug is coming to meet her. SUDDEN DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, August 26.—William Watson, a well-known Sumner storekeeper, an elderly man, dropped dead in the street to-day. Death was due to heart failure, accelerated by chronic kidney trouble and an attack of bronchitis. A NEW HOSPITAL. WHAKATANE, This Day.—The Bay of Plenty Hospital Board has instructed its architect to proceed immediately with the erection of an up-to-date hospital at Whakatane, as approved by the Minister. The structure will be built by day labour at a of £15,000 or £20,000. COAL SUPPLIES. WELLINGTON, This Day.—Wet weather is interfering with the discharge of coal-laden vessels in port. Work is only being carried on between shower,s and consequently the output is not very large. The difference between the Gas Company and its has been adjusted, and the gas will be turned on early to-morrow morning.

SUPREME COURT. INVERCARGILL, August 26.—At the Supreme Court to-day, Mitchell was found guilty of carnally knowing a girl under 15 years, and was remanded for sentence. James Taylor Brass and Thomas White were acquitted of a charge of cattle stealing and receiving. Mr. Justice Sim, in summing up, said that it was a case of disputed ownership, and should not have been brought to the Criminal Court. CORONIAL INQUIRY. DUNEDIN, August 26.—An inquest was held to-day concerning the death of John Swan, aged 83 years, who died suddenly in the Gridiron Hotel while at dinner the previous day. The evidence showed that he had followed the occupation of a farm labourer in the Oamaru district for the past 50 years. Medical evidence was to the effect that deceased died from sudden heart failure,, due to senile degeneration, and a verdict was returned accordingly. THE PUKEKAWA MURDER. AUCKLAND, August 26.—N0 developmeats of importance took place to-day in connection with the Pukekawa murder. No arrest has yet been made. The police are scouring the district, but have few clues to work upon. An inquest was opened when Eyre’s wife told how she was awakened to make the tragic discovery that her husband was murdered. The inquest was adjourned. Evidence has been found that two shots were fired, and it is presumed the murderer fired both barrels of the shot gun.

NEWSPAPER PROPRIETOR FINED. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.—An unusual case was heard by Mr Justice Herdman at the Supreme Court to-day, An application was made on behalf of the Attorney-General for an order to convict to prison Thomas Patrick Williams, proprietor of the “Westport Times and Star” for contempt by publishing matter relating to the action of the Stipendiary Magistrate at Westport in dealing with youths who refused to drill; or, as an alternative, that a writ of attachment be issued against the respondent. His Honor said that the offence was a serious one, but as the Crown had taken a lenient view, he would impose a fine of £lO, with costs. IMPORTANT JUDGMENT. WELLINGTON, This day.—A decision of public interest was given to-day by Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M. A local tobacconist, Robt. Armit, his assistant and a number of employees of Milligan’s tailoring establishment, were charged wfrh unlawfully supplying tobacco and cigarettes to a lad under the age of 15 years. Evidence was given that some employees of Milligan had been in the habit of sending a boy to Arm it’s for tobacco for their own use. The magistrate held that no offence had been committed in the sending of a boy for cigarettes, as the section under which the charge was laid was aimed at the ply of cigarettes to boys for their own use. The judgment establishes the right of any person to send a boy for cigarettes, and relieves a shopkeeper of liability for serving a boy with cigarettes or tobacco if he knows tho articles arc intended for consumption by another person.