CHRISTCHURCH.

North Otago Times, 2 December 1910, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

December 1. In the Supreme Court to-day Mr Justice Sim delivered judgment in the case of Joseph Albert M'Grath, sub-Inspector of police, v. the Minister of Internal Affairs (the chairman of the Public Service Superannuation Board). The action was a test case to determine, the position of a large number of contributors to the public service superannuation fund, who had periods of broken service. The effect of the judgment was that such mem'bers of the fund, provided that their contributions tad been made in full, are entitled to ; the full lenefits of the Act. An old man named John Thomas Gardner, committed suicide by hanging himself at Lyfctclton this morning. He was an old age pensioner, about 70 years of age, and was well known in Lyttelton.i where he worked as a carpenter, He lived by himself in a little cottage, and when the milk boy called this morning he received no 'answer, and on opening the door was startled by seeing the body of the old man hanging by a rope. He rushed away and informed the police, who on arrival cut the body down. The old man probably had 'been 'dead some time, as the body was quite cold. Gardner was blind in one eye, and he had been ■ troubled for some time by failing! sight of the other. It is considered that fear ol becoming totally blind had preyed upon Ms mind, The old man had gone about the affair in a very determined manner. By standon a chair placed on his bed he had torn away the scrim and paper on the ceiling, and bad fastened a rope to on-} of the rafte's, and after securing' the other end round his neck had stepped off the chair. Thomas Milcbell, about 56 years of age, a commercial traveller, iroijAr ■; Auckland, dropped dead in a trajlH on hia; way from Opawa tc this evening,' He was seen to and the train went back to Opawi|T/ for medical assistance, but it was found that Mr Mitchell was dead.

TIMARU. December Iv Alfred Knowles, aged 21 years, one of Dalgcty's slock agents, was killed on the. road out of town this morring. He was driving a spirited horse in n sulky, and it is supposed Ms' foot slipped over the shaft. Hewas caught in the stay of the shaft, thrown out and dragged some distance. He was found under the wheel of the capsized vehicle. He was a son of thu lato Mr G.. Knowles, the well-known horticulturist. At noon to-day a youngl man', J. A. Kr.owles, employed iit Dalgety's stock department, was thrown out of a trap 'war Saltwater 'Creek and killed. DDNBDIN. December 1. At a meeting of the Trades and Labor Council tonight a resolution was adopted, after an animated discussion, expressing surprise add indignation at the action of the President of the Arbitration Court in refusing to make-, an. award in the shearers' shed hands dispute,- 1 and asking the Minister to state 'How much longer he was going to ; allow:

RsasMiaia M«MyiininßnMn^Ba tills persecution to coJitiiuio, as upon . Ms shoulders must rest all the responsibility in the event of an industrial revolt; also that the executive be instructed to draw up a letter to the Minister showing the •"inconsistencies and unfair decisions of the rresident of the Court," In the Magistrate's Court to-day the charges laid against Councillors Stewart and Shacklock of illegally holding seats on the City Council and asking them to show cause why they should not be called upon to

resign their positions, in the Council came before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. Counsel for the informant said there was now no need to go on with the cases, the intentions of the legislature l having been made clear. Uoth cases were dismissed by consent, and in the case of Councillor Shacklock costs of £3 3s were ■ allowed against the informant (Mr Ja3, -Connor). Exchange sales: Old Hllaki X 2d, Watchman 3s Id. Sales rcpoi ;id: Standard Insurance £l6s 2d, WtStport Coal £fi 18s. NELSON. December 1. The Supreme Court sessions opened to-day before the Chief Justice, who congratulated the district on the absence of serious crime. win pleaded guilty to a charge of comracn assault, was admitted to probation. Jas. Harris, for failing to keep proper- books and obtaining goods by false representation, was acquitted ' on the first count, and on th?/ second convicted and admitted tc prebfltiort., John William Fergusscn was found guilty of perjury, with; strong recommendation to mere;, and was similarly dealt with.

WANGANIJI. December 1

At a meeting of the Wanganui Rowing Association this, evening the date for the championship regatta was fixed for Saturday, 25th February. The programme includes ten events, including four championship fours, the prize money for the championship fours being £s(l for the first, and £lO for the second.

PRESENTATION TO SIR JOSEPH WAIiD. ±

Per Press Association. Wellington, December 1. An address, signed by all the members of tbe Lioeral Party, was presented to Sir Joseph Viaxl, the Prime Minister, in the Whips' room of Parliament Buildings to-night.. The Hon. A. R. Guinness,. Speaker of the House of Bepresentatives, said, although the idea was only suggested an hour before, the response had been so spontaneous that the whole matter was completed in that hour. The address is as under: "We, the undersigned members of the liberal Party, desire io tender to you cur respectful sympathy with you and Lady Ward and your family in the attacks made upon you in connection with your personal affairs. We also congratulate you upon the able and convincing- statement made, by you in the House yesterday, which clearly proved that you had, by sheer pluck, ability and perseverance satisfied all the claims of your English, Australian and New Zealand creditors, and built up a position in the commercial life of the Dominion of which yourself and your party may be justly proud, We recognise: fully the statesman-like manner in which

you have led the country sinco the

Ministership devolved upjn , v jbj"l while assuring you of our Sl***"'zbmmli."A& unalhted confidence.ilteg in conclusion, to wish you/many further yearn of successful work for the Empire and this Dominion." The Prime Minister, before he replied, was cheered with enthusiasm. He expressed the warmest acknowledgement for gd fine a mark of goodwill. He was deeply grateful for the \ reference to his personal affairs, and ,'' would try to warrant the sentiments of goodwill conveyed in the address. He trusted the future public life of New Zealand would be such that those responsible for its affairs might be able to devote themselves solely to the public interests. He deeply appreciated their allusions to Lady Ward.