TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11200, 24 August 1898, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(Peb United Pbess Association.)

GISBORNE, August 23,

At the Supreme Court an action in which James Charles Dunlop, late manager of the Poverty Bay Farmers' Association, now in liquidation, sued James Alfred Harding, chairman of directors of the association, for £1000 damages for alleged libel contained in a statement read by the defendant at a meeting of shareholders of the association, and subsequently published by him, reflecting, it was alleged, on plaintiff's management of the association, lias been concluded after two days' hearing. Judgment was given by the special jury for defendant, with costs on the highest scale. Mr Cooper intimated that he intends to move for a new trial. ■•■:.■

WELLINGTON,, .August 23. In reply to a request from the Industrial Association to allow 10 per cent, to be deducted from the income tax returns for depreciation on machinery instead of 2^,'the Premier states that the allowance is intended only to cover wear and tear of a kind that cannot be made good by repairs. and renewals, and not to cover decrease in the selling value of plant and machinery, which is loss of» capital. Quoting from an official table of depreciation and wear and tear of machinery; he points out that the figures are much too low to'justify an allowance of 10 per cent., and'on the whole he considers that the department acts very liberally. ' The Southern Cross Society (female) have dissolved, and the members decided to join the Opposition political organisation.

CERISTCHURCH, August 23. J. K. Douglas, charged at the Magistrate's Court to-day with laying tote odds at the Canterbury Trotting Club's meeting, was fined -£10 and sent to gaol for 14 days. Mrs Conway, licensee of Tattersall's Hotel, was fined £2 for refusing admission to the police on Sunday, 7th inst. At the first meeting of the creditors of Trent Bros, it was decided to accept'are offer to pay 7s 6d in the pound.