DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1943, Page 7

DOMINION NEWS

HEAVY CANTERBURY LAMB LOSSES.

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 22.

Thousands of lambs are dying throughout Canterbury in one of the worst seasons experienced by sheep farmers for years. The Stock Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture (Mr. E. Elphick) said to-day that the long spell of wet weather experienced throughout the South Island would have a serious effect not only on meat production, but also on the quality of wool. September was the main lambing period, but lambs being born during the present cold and wet nights had little chance of survival. One farmer reported that although he had 200 more ewes than last season his lamb production would be less. Apart from the death roll, said Mr. Elphick, the feed position was also serious, as its mushy nature was certain to affect the general health of sheep and bring a crop of disease problems. Already many flocks were in poor condition. Cattle were also suffering as the result of the fodder position. If the position did not improve there was sure to be a milk shortage. UNUSUAL BEQUESTS. AUCKLAND, Sept. 21. A feature of a will that was discussed before Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court in Auckland was that it contained provision for a gift of £lOOO to an English football club, but for only £lOO to the testator s widow. The testator was Alfred Peel, who died at Russell in October, 1940, leaving an estate valued at about £6OOO. On behalf of the Guardian Trust and Executors Company of New Zealand, Limited, as executors of the estate, Mr. H. A. Adams asked tiie Court to strike out the summons by the widow for further provision from the estate on account of her undue delay in prosecuting the application. In opposing this, Mr. S. Cleal. on behalf of the widow, now in England, said the testator and the widow had lived in England, and separated by agreement in 1930. In, 1937 he came to New Zealand bringing with him all his assets. His will provided for 13 legacies to relatives and friends. In making the gift of £lOOO to the Lincoln City Association Football Club, he said it was to show his keen interest - in the club, and added, “it will represent a better gate than the club usually gets.” He offered no comment on the gift of £lOO to his wife. Mr. Adams said probate had been granted in September, 1941, and the executors were anxious to reach finalitv in the distribution of the estate. His Honour said he would take steps to have the widow instructed that she must proceed with her application for further provision within a certain time or it would be struck out TAXI DRIVER ROBBERS APPREHENDED. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. Two Marines were apprehended and confessions were obtained in connection with the attempted robbery of a taxi-driver last Wednesday night. Two hats left in the taxi, and information furnished by a New Zealand airmen enabled U.S. investigators to bring the men to custody within four days. The men are held awaiting action by the Military Tribunal. Three other U.S. Marines involved in local taxi hold-ups about a month ago are also in custody, awaiting action by the Military Tribunal. POST OFFICE ENTERED. AUCKLAND, Sept. 22. A man was surprised and arrested in the Roval Oak Post Office at in o’clock last night, when a detective arrived and found him on the premises. Investigations showed that gelignite had been packed into the keyhole of the safe under the counter, in readiness to be exploded, but no detonator or fuse was attached. A quantity of mail posted after 5 p.m. had been riddled, and some cheques were missing. The police have secured possession of at least one cheque. The building was entered by breaking open the posting box, and crawling through. This morning, in the Police Court, Trevor Norman Foote, labourer. 34. was charged with breaking and entering the counting house of the Royal Oak Post Office last night, with intent to commit a crime. On the aplicatidn of the police, he was remanded until September 30. MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 22. Charged with manslaughter, James Keith Ward, an airman, aged 25, was remanded to appear at Timaru on September 30, when he appeared before Mr. E. C. Levvey in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. It was alleged that at Timaru on September 6, Ward, bv an unlawful act, the striking of Charles James Keenan, caused Keenan’s death.

The Magistrate asked if the case wad a serious one and counsel (Mr. Thomas) said it was the result of an argument in which a blow was struck. “Evidently the man had something extraordinarily wrong with him, as he died the next day.” Bail, was allowed in £2OO, and a similar surety. LOW FLYING CHARGE.

BLENHEIM, September 22. How an Air Force officer whose home is at D’Urville Island watched a formation of three aircraft diving low 1 into his bay on August 21 and afterwards a 700 yards length of No. 8 fencing wire stretched 200 ft. above the water* between the hills to carry settlers’ wireless aerials had been brought down was told at a District Court-martial at a Marlborough air station yesterday. Accused were Sergeants Alexander George Pete l Wolff and Dona'S Robert Thorp, both of whom pleaded guilty to charges of low flying. A third pilot, Sergeant Norman Miller Quarrie, admitted a charge of negligently damaging an aircraft by colliding with the Wlie * He pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to report the damage to the plane and wilfully giving false evidence when examined on oath, dming fhe taking summary evidence by stating that the altitude .maintained throughout a reconnaissante flight on which he and the other two accused were engaged was about 4000 ft.