MANAWATU

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6622, 11 September 1908, Page 9

MANAWATU

PALMERSTON SUPREME COURT. AN EXEMPLARY SENTENCE. SEVEN YEARS’ HARD LABOUR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON, September 10. Tho Supreme Court continued its sittings to-day, before Mr Justice Chapman. ASSAULT ON A CHILD. Arthur Henry Woods was charged with having indecently assaulted a child seven years of age at Palmerston on July 4th. Alter evidence by the child, tho father and mother, Dr Putnam, and tho constables who arrested tho accused, tho jury found a verdict, of guilty. . Mr Justice Chapman said tho accused had hecn previously convicted of a similar offence, and just completed a term of five years. Ho had also served time for breaking, entering, vagrancy, and an attempt to escape from gaol. For the safety of the community ho must inflict tho longest term allowed by the law—seven years' hard labour. Accused appeared overwhelmed by tho sentence, an'd had to bo carried from tho dock. BREACH OF BANKRUPTCY ACT. Thomas Gleeson was charged with a breach of the Bankruptcy Act in incurring debts without reasonable expectation of paying the same. 6. J. Scott, Deputy-Official Assignee, gave evidence as to bankrupt’s transactions in his business as chaff-cutter and general produce dealer, and latterly as a firewood dealer. Bankrupt’s father had a lion over the assets. Bankrupt’s business could not bo ascertained’ from the bank-book. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to leniency on tho ground of accused’s inexperience. ALLEGED LIBEL, Tho libel action Edward Ernest Lawrence v. Frederick Charles Death, damages £5Ol, was partly heard when the Court adjourned. HOSPITAL BOARD. Tho Hospital Board met to-day. Present—Messrs J. G. Wilson (chairman), Vincent, Bryant, Hayden-, Fitzherbort, Voss, Fowler. Pearce. Kendall. On the recommendation of tho matron, Probationers Crook, Dan, and McLean were placed on tho permanent staff.

A cheque for £6i loa was received from the promoters of the recent performance of “ Elijah.” The covering letter asked that the amount be allocated to a consumptive ward. The matron reported :—Number of patients on August Ist, 33; admitted curing the month, 53; discharged, ‘lt;, of whom 36 were cured; number in hospital on September Ist, 40. A sub-committee was authorised to carry out various minor improvements. The chairman referred to the question of providing a new steam laundry, additions to the nurses’ home, and radiators for the men’s ward. 'Xiio cost would bo about £2-500, wbicb would moan an additional levy of 2s fid per £IOOO ratable value. He asked members to bring the matter before the various local bodies interested, so as to find out whether they were agreeable to increase the levies. KAIRANGA COUNTY COUNCIL. At the monthly meeting of the Kairanga County Council there were present Messrs C. Voss (chairman), J. O. Batohelar, L. 11- Bryant, Moody, 0. Monrad, Andersoh, Talbott, .and O’Louglilin.

Subsidy amounting to £l6i2 15s was received from the Treasury, also £l3 Is 4d, “thirds” from the Receiver of Band Revenue. Mr T. W. Stacc wrote that the proposed river protection works at Ti Wi would consist of the building of stop-banks, planting willows, and driving railway rails, with wire cables between. The estimated expenditure for the first year would bo £SIOO.-—Council-lor Monrad moved that Mr Stace be informed that if the agreement was signed by'all the ratepayers, the Council would bo willing to raiso a loan.—The motion was lost. It was decided to inform Mr 13, Jones that the drain near his property would ho repaired, and that no authority hit been given carters to graze horses on the road. Mr A. Guy wrote calling the Council’s attention to the state of the bridge across "Whisky Creek on Gillespie's line, and asking that the engineer be instructed to report on the advisability of having a new bridge erected. —Resolved to attend to the matter. In regard to Mr "W. A. Keillor’s request for permission to place spoil on the side of the road at Clifton, Councillor Bryant said he had visited the spot, and • had given permission to deposit the spoil, subject to the engineer’s approval.— Councillor Bryant’s action was confirmed. Trooper G. Preston has been appointed to the vacant lieutenancy in the Manawatu Mounted Rifles. A branch of the Wellington Cooks’

and Waiters’ Union has been formed in Palmerston. A meeting of tlu Kiitional Dairy Show' Committee .was held this aiternoon. Major Diinck was in tho chart and a dozen members were present. The prizes for butler and cheese sections at iho next ,slier - aro increased, it was decided to send a circular to all managers of factories in the Dominion to ascertain whether they are favourable to having all butter exDibits analysed before being .judged. The classes in tho school division will probably bo re-arranged on a different basis to comply with conditions now obtaining at the schools. It was decided to endeavour to arrange lectures on special farm subjects during the winter show week. At a meeting of the Manmvatu Fruit-growers’ Association the following officers were appointed President, Mr W. Beck; vice-president, Dr Uroig; committee, Messrs A. Guy, S. Clark, J. Maim, J. Drury. The rules of the Hawke’s Bay Fruit-growers 1 Association were adapted. Last night tho Albion Cricket Club held its annual meeting, there being a good attendance. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr R. Mulroouoy; president, Mr G. Scarle; vice-presi-dents, Messrs J. A. Nash, G. H. Bennett, I. J. Fake, T. Childs, F. A. Carter, A. J. Mahon ; captain, Mr T. liyro; vice-captain, Mr S. Wilson; hou. secretary and treasurer, Mr W. Woollctt; general committee, captain, vice-captain, secretary and Messrs Young and Lyons; selection committee, captain, vice-captain and G, Wntchorn ; delegates to Association, T. liyro and S. Wilson. Mr Mellor, sen., was appointed official umpire. Mr O. Watchorn wus presented with a medal for tho best bowling average in tbo past season, bis average being 5.75 per wicket. The club has enrolled several new players for the ensuing season, and the team promises to be stronger than usual. I hoar the Post and Telegraph Office is unlikely to put a crio.rct team in tho field this year, as several of tho best players co not intend donning Hamids. It is to he hoped when tho time cornea these players will alter their mines. It is‘said, too, that Terraco Knd will have some difficulty in getting a team together.

■ The local Orange Lodge held a “social” in the Oddfellows’ Hall last night. 'There was a largo attendance. Vv'.Jl. Bro. It. MeMurray who presided, gave mi address dealing with the objects of the Order.