DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TKI.EGBAPH— PRESS ASSN., COPTRIOHT. A BANDMASTER’S CLAIM. * PALMERSTON X., Dee. 14. ;The Supreme Court heard an action in which John Colder, jeweller. of Foxton. claimed from David Brooks, platelayer, Foxton, £SOO for alleged slander. The statement of claim set out that plaintiff for some time past has been conductor and bandmaster of the Foxton Silver Band, of which defendant is a member. On or about August 29. 1925. defendant allegedly falsely and maliciously spoke and published concerning tlie plaintiff to Jack Madden, also a member of the band, the following words:—"T have enough papers in my pocket to put Johnnie Colder in gaol.” Defendant thereby meant that, plaintiff had been guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment, and the defendant had in hfs possession -ullbiont evidence, to prove the commission of such crime. Further, that on or about September If), at the. baud room, defendant allegedly spoke and published to .James Charles Aitciieson and Joseph Hoffman, both members ol the hand, practically the same words already quoted. Tlie defence denied that tlie-defend-ant ever spoke to the persons named or t:> others the. words complained of nr similar words. Tlie defence also denied that tlie words set out had the meaning alleged or any defamatory meaning.

At the conclusion of the evidence His Honor said that tlie ease- was not one ior heavy damages. He gave judgment for £l2 IDs on each of the two causes of action. The case, lie said, should have been heard in the Magistrate’s Court, and costs would he on tlie scale of that. Court. FREE-WILL OFFERINGS. AUCKLAND. Dee. 11. An uncommon'' example o’f a. church congregation raising a large sum ol money by means of free-will offering and without recourse to bazaars, sales of work and other orthodox mchtoifs. has been given by the adherents of the Epsom Presbyterian t lnireli. who contributed ill cash and promises a sum of £2019 12s. Owing to the growth of Llie congregation at Gardner Doad Church, and the need for providing adequate accommodation for girls from St. C’lithbert’s College, it. was derided to put an enlargement, scheme in hand. Methods for financing this work were well organi-ed. One oi the "llivebearers was detailed to visit the families of the congregation and invite various members to join in a united free-will offering, to be taken in the plate on a given .Sunday, The offering was to be either in cash or half in cash and the remainder in promises, to he paid in twelve mouths. No subscript imi list was shown, hut the result of the offering taken yesterday was that, every family joined in the effort, the total sum accounted tor being £2019 12s. B VXD CONTEST JUDGE. CHDISTCTIU B(' IT, Dec. 15. Tiie South Island Brass Band Association has appointed Mr \\ . S. King, of Christchurch, as adjudicator for the solo tests at. Hie Exhibition Band Contest at Dunedin, in tlie. last week in February. Mr King has previously acted as judge al various contests, and is a former champion trombone player. For several years he was conductor of the Oamani Band, and until 191 t&hc had lean for some time conductor of the Lyttelton Marine Band. He has also acted as conductor of the Christchurch Musical Union.