INTERCOLONIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 30

INTERCOLONIAL.

MELBOURNE, May 25. Judgment was given to-day in the case of the King v. James Kadford Allen, fish importer. The charges refer to five shipments of frozen blue cod* from New Zealand, imported by Allen 'as "del credere" agent for Morena Lucas, fish merchant, iermerly of tne Bluff, New Zealand. In each of the "five cases the defendant was charged with, making a false entry; with making and-.- producing a false declaration likely to mislead certain Customs officers ; and, ,ia the three cases subsequent to September 16, 1902, with evading payment of duty. . The jury found that the usage of the trade was to accept the weights on boxes 'of blue cod ; that the weight stated on certain Customs entries was below such reported weights ; that defendant (Allen) -or its /agent iriade .a false statement on. *Be! Custom- .entries. As the weights thus _ Igiven evaded* the payment of duty, these acts- were committed' with" 1 intent to deIrjiuji the; revenue, and Crockett, who managed the. defen.dant'_s .business, acted Jfor thfe defendant's benefit. - f Mr Justice O'Connor, in summing up, /frointed out that Crockett, whom Allen jsaid w'as^ responsible for the matter, left Jfor New" Zealand immediately after the Customs commenced the inquiry, Allen advancing him money. Nor was Crockett called as a witness for the defence before the commission held in New Zealand. In delivering judgment, he said that alto-" gather there were 33 offences. In 12 the element of fraud w.as not involved. The penalty in respect to these would be £5 In each case. In the othe other 21 cases, •whei'B- fraud was involved, the penalty •would be £7 on each. He directed that a verdict be entered up for plaintiff on 'each offence, with costs, the judge reserving the points raised as to the King being proper plaintiff and the alleged constituitional illegality. May 26. Kosina Hubbard, who was recently acquitted of murdering her mother, but subsequently confessed to the crime, died suddenly under circumstances suggesting poisoning. .The inquest has been adjourned to permit of an analysis being made of the contents of the stomach. SYDNEY, May 24. The population of New South Wales at the end of last year was 1,461,533, an increase of 29,859 on the previous year. the birth rate increased, and the death irate is the lowest on record. The Full Court struck the name of T. ]M- Slattery of! the toll of solicitors. Mr justice Owen said he understood an (Ppeal against Slattern's conviction was

going to be made to the High Court, but he could not see that this could affect the decision because there was sufficient undisputed evidence outside that whereon it was proposed to appeal to show that Slattery was not a fit and proper person to remain a solicitor of the Court. Before the Lands Commission Mr WUlis declined to give the name of the man who drew the bill which was included in Bath's commission. He declared that he was protecting another man, who was a member of the Bar. He did not think it proper to draw this pei son's name before the public so as to injure his credit. He, however, consented to write the name, and handed it to Mr Justice Owen. Sir John See, interviewed, expressed admiration at the prosperous condition of New Zealand. He had been struck with the spread of closer settlement throughout the country and the rapid progress of the cities. He knows no other place where the tourist can spend a holiday with greater enjoyment and advantage to* health. New Zealand was a veritable wonderland. Albert Bainbridge, explorer, after a lengthy visit to New Guinea, says that, from a similarity ha the cast of countenance and their religious observations, he is convinced' that the original man was black, and that he was a Jew. He designates the New Guinea natives "black Jews."' May 25. On the arrival of the steamer Prinz Waldemar, from Hongkong, the Customs authorities discovered 23 Chinese hidden in. the water tanks and coal bunkers. Their [ names did mot appear on the list of the crew. They strongly resented being dragged from tlieir- hiding places. •Mr .Reid expresses profound regret at the position the. High- Court., has taken up on the question of travelling expenses, regarding it as a public calamity. He is certain that if the Chief Justice were to address a letter to the Attorney-general giving the .particulars contained in his telegram to ' Mr Reid, but couched -in the ordinary -form-- of 'official correspondency;* and asked that Minister to submit 'the same to the consideration of the Government, the result would be satisfactory to all parties. May 26. Mr Reid has concluded ; his tour of the northern districts. He delivered numerous strong anti-Socialist addresses. The (Pull Court has decided that an act of bankruptcy does not protect a defendant from the consequences of a successful action for defamation. Liord Northcote has received a message from, the King asking him to thank the British Empire League of Australia for its expressions of loyalty in connection with Empire Day. ■The High Court granted special leave to appeal against the- Full Court's decision upholding the conviction of Slattery for misappropriating the money of a client. „ The captain of the Waldemar, on board of which Chinese stowaways were found on arrival, says that the steamer was thoroughly searched after leaving Hongkong, and not a single stowaway was found. He is unable to account for the presence of those discovered, excepting that they were assisted by the Chinese h'reinen already aboard. One explanation is that Chinese are so much alike that it is possible for stowaways to be about and yet not to distinguish them. It is alleged that an organisation exists in China for sending Chinese to Australia, and that despite the watchfulness a considerable number manage to land. It is also stated that the officers on ships trading between Australia arid China are frequently offered bribes to assist. The Licensed Victuallers' Association intends placing before the Government a proposal providing for compensation in the event of the Local Option Bill becoming law. It suggests that a publican's license fee be raised from £30 .to £35 per annum, £10 of such fee to go to establish a, compensation, fund, and the local option poll to be taken every three years. The value of the estimated fund would provide #100,000 for distribution at the end of every three-year period. .«.. Pican, the Governor of New Caledonia, has left Sydney to visit France. He states that there is great stagnation in the colony. The mines had practically ceased working, the coffee crop was less than it had been for some years, and the general trade was at a very low ebb. unless something was done soon many o* the residents would be reduced to poverty. The Daily Telegraph, dealing with the Canadian mail service, amongst a number of arguments in favour of continuing it, says that it presents possibilities in view of which it would) be a sound policy to give it a further trial for the sake of fully testing its practicability in promoting a more regular and larger trade between Canada and Australia. ! May 28. John Higgerson, a famous old-time jockey, is dead ; aged 95 years. J J May 29. Three of the Waldemar's Chinese crew have disappeared. Leon Caron, musician, and director of Williamson's Operatic Company. He had been ailing ever since the last tour of New Zealand. The secretary of the Queensland Socialistic Organisation has written to Mr Reid expressing disappointment at th« postpone- [ ment of the proposed! anti-Socialist stumj2-

ing tour, and adds : " History teaches that all reforms progressed more rapidly when their enemies have been most bitter and unscrupulous in their opposition. Blander, falsehood, misrepresentation, and vilification serve only to advance the cause again&t which they are used. We know nothing so calculated to hasten the speedy attainment of a co-operative Commonwealth as your continued advocacy of the present anarchial, destructive, and wasteful methods. On behalf of the Socialists of Queensland I extend you a hearty invitation, and beg your acceptance at an early date." A cyclone is raging in the Great Bight. It is expected to pass over Bass Strait. I Shipping is specially warned that heavy I gales and rough seas are probable. BRISBANE, May 24. j The Premier stated that the State fully j intends to discharge its obligations in deporting the kanakas when their terms I have expired. May 27. The Everton Grange sailed for Hongkong with 1539 horses, which is a record shipment from "Australia. PERTH, May 24. Mr Nanson, a^ member of the Assembly, has commenced an. action to recover £5000 damages from the Daily Mail for alleged libel, which was contained in comments on a meeting whereat Nanson moved a resolution condemning the Commissioner of Police Jlor his remarks in reference to Dr Roth's report on the treatment of blacks. May 25. The coasting steamer Julia Percy was wrecked off Dc-ngarra The crew are safe. May 29. Two men of the coloured crew belonging to the steamer Charon were charged) with murdering a Chinese stowaway between Singapore and Fremantle. The deceased's brother gave evidence that he and others had paid large sums to the two accused for assisting in stowing them away. They were kept for three days without food, and afterwards deceased "was nailed up in % box. Wnen opened two days later the accused alleged that the man was dead, and threw the body overboard. Witness alleged that his brother was alive when thrown over. Accused threatened to kill him if he interfered or said anything.