DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1944, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS

LAWYER’S DEATH IN COURT AUCKLAND, December 13. The death of one of Auckland’s best known barristers, Mr. J. J. Sullivan, occurred in dramatic circumstances when he collapsed in the Supreme Court, almost at the close of a long day’s sitting. A witness who had been called had been questioned by Mr. Sullivan, and left the box. Mr. Sullivan sat down, apparently just for a moment before resuming an address he had started to the Court, when it was noticed that he had suddenly slumped over the table. He was promptly attended to. and a doctor summoned, but the doctor found that he was dhad.

P AND T. CLERK SENTENCED. AUCKLAND, Dec. 14. A sentence of nine months’ hard labour wa'S imposed by Judge Callan on James Percival Rowe, 53, clerk in the P. and T. Department’s Money Order Office, who admitted the theft of £1245 by regular small weekly embezzlements from telephone slot machine deposits placed in his care. , , Counsel said that Rowe had been in the Department all his life, and he was concerned about the state of his health and his wife’s future in the event of his death. Rowe proposed making full restitution. The Judge said the prisoner had been in a position of trust, and his offence was a very grave breach of that trust. The money had not been dissipated, and much of it was banked, but some term of imprisonment was necessai/y.

DAIRY FACTORY EMPLOYERS CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. A new award covering New Zealand dairy factories employees provides for a 40-hour five-day week. Previously the hours varied from 38 hours to 48 hours a week according to the season of the year. In the overtime clause, it is stipulated that the ordinary rate of pay shall be paid for the first four hours worked in excess of 40 for one week, time and a-half for the next four, and double time thereafter. The rates of pay for youths and female workers have been increased by amounts varying from 5/- to 10/- a week; but generally, wages remain unaltered, excepting in the case of butter-packing house employees, whose wages have been increased by 6/6 a week. Workers employed in cheese factories or casein creameries shall be entitled to three weeks’ holiday on full pay, provided they shall have worked for the same employer for not less than 33 weeks during the season. TRUCK CAPSIZED. AUCKLAND, December 14. Eleven soldiers returning from a dance at Pukekohe to Papakura Camo were injured. last night, when an Internal Marketing Division truck capsized when turning into Pukekohe East Road. There were 25 soldiers in the truck and the following were admitted to Auckland Hosni tai: Seracant Robert Alexander Wright (condition serious). Staff Sergeant William Henry Hooker (head injuries; satisfactory). LanceCornoral J. F. Nearv (shock; fair). Private Ernest Thomas Cowsill Gractured collar bone: satisfactory). Private J. R. B. Rail (fractured ribs; fair). Private R. D. C. Addis (internal injuries: fair). Minor injuries were suffered by Privates R. F. Coppins. J. C. Burgess, A. W. Bennet. N.S. Raines and Corpora] J. G. Watson, who were admitted tn the Papakura Military Camp Hospital.