GREEK ACE CRASHES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2753, 20 September 1923, Page 5

GREEK ACE CRASHES.

[By Electric Cable—Copyright.] LAust. and N.Z. Cable Association.]

(Received Wednesday, 9 p.m.) ATHENS, September 19

Lieutenant Stravopoulos, regarded as the Greek ace, after looping the loop several times in a strong 1 wind, crashed and was killed.

RIDICULOUS LAWS.

EXPENSIVE PROCEDURE,

(Per Press Association). BLENHEIM, Last Night

J -ssie Vance, a middle-aged widow, pleaded nof guilty to stealing a fur coat, and was committed for trial at the Magistrate's Court. His Worship said that, according to the Act, the Magistrate had no power to try an indictable offender if the proceedings were commenced 12. months after the alleged theft. To his mind, this was an absurd law, particularly in view of the fact that in Parliament and else- j where there were continued complaints about the pressure o.f work which was causing delays in the Supreme Court. Possibly it would be the only case to qome before the Supreme Court in Blenheim, but on account of tho ridiculous provision in the Act referred t'o, it would be necessary to call on a grand jury and a common jury, and the witnesses would all have to be called again. However that was the law and he could not help himself. A defendant in a by-lav/ case in the Magistrate's Court to-day must now be sorry that he allowed his sense of in. jury to overcome his discretion. He was convicted and tho Magistrate, Mr Maunsell, let him off with tho payment of costs. Defendant tartly asked what would happen if he didn't pay. His Warship said he could go to gaol for a month. Defendant replied that ho would "take it out," and tho Magistrate then said that he would re-con-sider his decision and inflict a fine of £1 in addition to costs.