DOMINION NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2422, 10 February 1909, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

[Press Association.] THE OHINEMURI LICENSING COMMISSION. AUCKLAND, Feb. 9. The-Chief Justice cannot act, but has forwarded to the Premier the names ol two persons whom lie recommends for a Royal Commission to investigate the charges against the Ohitiemuri Licensing Committee ■of some years ago. In llie meantime, the names cannot be divulged. A BOY DROWNED. THAMES, Feb. 9. A lad named Harold Ball, son of a well-known Kopu resident, was drowned yesterday. He fell off a small jettjj near the timber mill into a fast flowing river, and was never seen again. So far the body lias not been- recovered. THE r ‘NEW ZEALAND TIMES” LIBEL ACTION. WELLINGTON, Feb. 9. Mr. Justice Chapman to-day gave judgment on an -application hv plaintiffs for special juries in the cases of • McLean and others v. the “New Zealand Times,” and same v. Wellington Publishing Company, both being actions for £2OOO damages for alleged libel. His Honor said lie did not think any difficulty was likely to ,arise out of the business aspect of the case, which could not ho dealt with by a common jury, and he dismissed the application. A SENTENCE FOR FORGERY. Jeffries George Murfitt, convicted of forgery at Napier, came before Mr. Justice Cooper to-day for sentence. As accused was a first offender lie was admitted to probation for two years, conditionally on bis paying back the money and costs of the prosecution. ALLEGED ASSAULT AND ROBBERY. WELLINGTON, Feb. ?. At the Police Court this a eruing, John Trainor, William Thomas, and George Williams, the latter v-itli several aliases, were charged with assaulting an old man named James Carter in the hack premises of an hotel last night, and robbing him of a small sum of money. The men were remanded, Williams being; sl owed bail in £IOO and two sureties oi £oo oacli. WESTPORT COAL MINES WORKING SMOOTHLY. WESTPORT, Feb. 9 The mines in this district, the Westport Coal Company, Westport Stc.ckton Company, and Seddo mile State are working smoothly. The Westport Stockton directors, are not insisting on medical examination.