NOT FOR PUBLIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24531, 13 March 1943, Page 6

NOT FOR PUBLIC

AMERICAN GOODS MAGISTRATE'S WARNING Evidence by two United States servicemen in answer to allegations about a loose system in disposing of goods from a waterfront storage warehouse was heard yesterday, when Leslie Montgomery, carpenter, aged 48 (Mr. Aekins), appeared before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., for sentence on charges of stealing goods worth 13s 4d from the store. The case was partly heard on Monday, when evidence for the defence claimed that the articles had been given to accused by a serviceman in return for a box he had made. The serviceman s&id accused hadx made boxes for him and for two others during slack times. Witness had offered to pay £1 for his box, but accused had suggested that a few _ tins of salmon would be better, and witness had taken it on himself to give accused a dozen tins of salvaged salmon which would not be sent away to the troops because it was not properly packed. He had not given accused any other goods and the statement that the articles stolen by accused had been given by him was not true. Accused had pestered him for further goods and he had "got sore about it." Evidence of Officer. To Mr. Aekins, he denied making a statement that he had given salvaged stuff to accused. He had mentioned only salmon and admitted saying he would give evidence about the salmon, which he did. If lie had given accused the produced goods he would have been in trouble himself. Captain Alvis Harvey Allen, officer in charge of the stores, said that goods not considered properly packed to send awav to the troops were sent to a local camp. It had always been his policy to give cans of food to servicemen going for picnics or if one wanted a can he would give it to him as rations. To Senior-Detective Walsh, who prosecuted, the officer in charge of the warehouse said that nothing was to he taken away by civilians and that included salvaged goods. The articles produced were in good order. To Mr. Aekins ho said' that the serviceman was not entitled to give the salvaged salmon away. " Illicit Disposition " "Allegations were made as to what I called 'an open" slather,' " said the magistrate. "It was claimed that servicemen could come in and get any-, thing out without control. That is why I gave an opportunity for rebutting evidence from responsible officers so 1 could decide the quantum of penalty. "The position as far as the Court is concerned is that accused took United States property. 1 am not satisfied that it was not given to him by the serviceman, but whether or not does not affect the position materially as obviously he had no authority," continued the magistrate. A loose system had been the excuse. The reason for the consideration given this case was that accused might have thought the Americans had different rights from our own. "Goods of the armed forces are sacrosanct," added the magistrate. "There is a feeling about that United States goods are fair game and there is a good deal of illicit disposition either by gift or for payment. United States goods are for the troops, and not for the luxury of the public. Maximum sentences will be imposed on civilians taking these goods, but I have decided to inflict a fine in ibis ease." Accused was fined £lO on the first charge and £2 on the second charge.

LOCAL AND GENERAL "Wasp and a Fire Stung by a wasp when inspecting his property at Mount Wesley, near Dargaville, Mr. R. W. J. Cuthbert, decided jto burn the wasps' nest. A strong 1 breeze fanned the flames and in the ; dry bracken they spread through a 1 patch of bush. The Dargaville fire brigade had to be called out to suppress the outbreak. Shooting Season ! A decision has not yet been reached on the question of the shooting season. I The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, has declared himself in favour of an open season, and the Auckland Acclimatisation Society has recommended that it be for all game from May 1 to May 16. The final decision remains with Cabinet. Verandah Posts The old type of verandah supported by posts may disappear in the shopping area of Wellington. The Wellington City Council is requesting the Building Controller to approve of these verandah posts being replaced by cantilever verandahs in those buildings in the main shopping areas which require restoration work rendered necessary by ... earthquake damage. Country Children's Visit Many schoolchildren from the Waikato district spent the day in Auckland yesterday. A party of over 750 children and their parents from Ohaupo and the surrounding districts travelled to Auckland in a_ special train. They spent the day in visits to the Museum, the Zoo and to Devonport, returning home at 5.40 p.m. The organiser of the party was Mr. A. Stewart, head teacher of Ohaupo school. Invalided Soldiers' Return A number of veteran members of the Second N.Z.E.F. in Auckland yesterday, after returning to New Zealand with a large draft of sick and wounded. The majority of them have served in all or almost all the campaigns in wlfich the Division has fought in the Middle East, and all are walking wounded. Others for provincial centres also came north by the same train. _ A further draft will arrive this morning by the limited express. Guilty Knowledge "The stock example of guilty knowledge is the case where a person is trying to sell a house infected with borer, said Mr. Justice Callan. when counsel' was quoting cases of fraud and misrepresentation in a damages claim yesterday. His Honor said that in such a case the owner would leave the house before a purchaser arrived, or send out an agent to do the business, secure in the thought that lie did not know of the existence of the pest Small Fires in City Eight calls to grass tires were received by brigades in the city and suburban area yesterday. Machines from the Central, Tamaki, Remuera, Mount Albert, Avondale, Parnel] and Mount Roskili stations attended outbreaks, none of which was serious. Shortly before 7 p.m. machines from Central and Mount Eden answered a call from the Pukennro Collieries' depot in Porter's Avenue, Eden Terrace, where a fire had broken out in the timber yard. A small quantity of timber was damaged. Bolts Frozen The shortage of bolts for farm implements was mentioned at a meeting of the Geraldine branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. It was said that in some cases it was impossible to obtain bolts for the repair of farm implements although it was understood that firms were holding these in stock at the present time. It was,stated that a "freezing order" prevented firms from selling these bolts, and it was agreed to take the matter up with the South Canterbury executive. Historic Landing The 102 nd anniversary of the official landing at Auckland of Captain Wijaani Hobson, first Governor of New Zealand, falls to-day. On that occasion, Captain Hobson completed the transfer of the , seat of Government from Kororareka to Auckland, and took up his'residence m the new capital. He was received by 3 guard of honour, and was escorted, to the newly-erected official residenceShortly afterward, in May, when Zealand ceased to be a dependency New South Wales and was created a colony. Captain Hobson became Govci-. nor instead of Lieutenant-Governor.