Untitled

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 5

A Frees Association telegram from Christchurch says:—"Sir Joseph Ward statesthafa the number of telegrams sent by him on (.lie 7th and Bth May connected with the King's death numbered 2730 messages, and from the 9th to the 20th May, connected with tin King's death, 25,731 messages, aggregating altogether 2,367,120 words. Apart from this the number of telegrams from the. public despatched by the telegraph offices throughout the Dominion between the time of the announcement of the King's death and the funeral was 296,000, and the number received for the same period 297,000. He was unable to give the number of words connected with either of these records. The whole work was carried out by the telegraph offices throughout the Dominion in a highly satisfactory manner, reflecting the greatest credit neon the staff."

There was an eclipse of the moon on the 24th, but, owing to the clouds in the sky, it was not visible in Punsdin. A Press Association message states that the weather was fine and the sky clear in Wellington, and the eclipse was seen to advantage there.

The Prime Minister probably established a record yesterday for quick travel between Wellington and the West Coast. Sir Joseph left Wellington by the Maori at 8 o'clock on Monday night (says a. Christchurch message), and the steamer berthed at Lyttelton about 20 minutes before her usual time on Tuesday morning. The train; to Chrietcburch got away smartly, with the result that the passengers were landed in the city shortly after 7 o'clock. The train for Broken River, which usually leaves at 7, was held back for 10 minutes, and the Prime Minister's car was attached. Sir Joseph arrived in Greymouth the same evening at seven minutes past 8 o'clock. The Supreme Court criminal sittings were brought to a conclusion shortly after 2 p.m. on the 24th, after which civil business was taken. At the criminal sittings Albert Whitmore Chirnside was found guilty of stealing jewellery belonging to Agnes Henderson, and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with hard labour. In the case of Frank Mervyn Kemshed, charged with having committed the offences of for-, gery and false pretences, bis Honor Mr Justice Williams gave the accused the benefits of the Probation Act, placing him on probation for 12 months on condition that he paid £lO by instalments of 5s per week to recoup the loss and to cover the costs of the prosecution. The last case taken was that <3? Dibb Iclour, a Syrian, who was charged with false pretences. In passing sentence his Honor warned accused that if he committed another offence of a similar kind he would be liable to be treated as a.n habitual criminal. Idour was then sent to gaol for 12 months.

Wha t was described as a somewhat matter was brought before the St. Kilda; Borough Council on May 24 by Or Ewiiiig!, "All the money being spent on our streets ia being spent illegally" he declared. Noim* of the streets has ever been properly d : edi« oated to the council.. All are owned! privately, and if the Registrar of Lands or the Auditor was to make himself dis* agreeable we would be practically helpless.'! The inspector: " The only thing we can d<>, is to declare all these streets to be public streets under the Municipal Corporations Act." The matter was not further dis< cussed, i

The secretary of the Otago Trades and Labour Council has received t advice that the conference of Trades Councils of Netf! Zealand will be held in Auckland on July] 18. The local body will consider the question of sending delegates at a special meeting to be held next week. This conference will probably be the most important held for many: yea.rs, as a. definite and united labour programme will then bo laid dowm for the next parliamentary elections