DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 April 1931, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

[per press association.] JEWELLERY STOLEN. CHRISTCHURCH, April 23. Admitting that he had smashed the windows of two city shops with concrete paving stones, and had stolen jewellery and other articles, William St. John, 44, labourer, was committed for sentence on three charges to-day. Accused told the police that he had been unemployed, and had been sleeping in the park. i FIRE AT HIDE STORE GISBORNE, April 23. Fire partly demolished the pelt and hide store at the Taruheru freezing works this morning, the main building not being affected, as a favourable wind prevented the flames from reaching it. There was no produce in the damaged block. The loss, apart from the building, was confined to the stock of several thousand meat bags. DUNEDIN BURGLARY. DUNEDIN, April 23. The premises of Coull, Somerville and Wilkie were entered during the night, when ladies’ handbags and other fancy goods were stolen. Entrance was effected by a fire escape. The value of the jewellery stolen from Paterson,' jeweller, during the week-end is estimated at £BOO. STOCK IMPORTATION. CHRISTCHURCH, April 22. Declaring that the risk of infection of foot and mouth disease was far greater than any likely benefits in breeding,-the North’Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union decided to-day to protest strongly to the Prime Minister against any relaxation of the embargo on the importation of stock from England. The members were agreed that New Zealand stock are not greatly in need of fresh blood. A serious, outbreak of the disease would mean ruin to the meat industry in the Dominion.

MOTOR CYCLIST KILLED. WELLINGTON, April 22. While passing another motor cycle on Wellington-Manawatu road, near Glenside, about 4.50 this afternoon. Alexander Basil Claude Devonport, of 3, Donningtou Street, Palnierston North, aged 19, collided with a car coming in the opposite direction, and was killed. A pillion rider on his machine, Arthur Hosking, believed to be from Palmerston North, is in Wellington Hospital with a fractured skull and a fractured right wrist. MAN ACQUITTED BLENHEIM, April 23. At the Supreme Court, unUsual features characterised the trial of Thomas Murphy,, storekeeper, Kekerangu, on a series of charges alleging unnatural offences. The jury ultimately brought in an unanimous verdict of not guilty, after Mr. C. T. Smith, counsel for the prisoner, had invited them to believe the accused was the victim of a conspiracy, and' the Chief Justice had warned the jury to be exceedingly careful before accepting the responsibility of saying the accused was guilty. “You may have suspicions but you must ask yourself whether you should place reliance on the principal witnesses of the Crown in all the circumstances,” said His' Honor. f * G