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Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 11

At the meeting of the Waikouaiti County Council on the 27th it was resolved that the council considered that if the train now timed to leave Palmerston at 6.30 a.m. instead of 7 o’clock, as previously, be continued through the- winter months at that hour a great deal of inconvenience would be caused to the ratepayers in the northern end of the county. It was also resolved that a copy of the resolution be sent to the traffic manager. A few days ago, while fishing in the Rangitata (telegraphs our Christchurch correspondent), Mr Harold Curtis, of Ashburton, caught two trout —one weighing 111 b and one 161 b. The 111 b fish had a disc attached to it with the number 951 on it, showing that the fish had been captured in the Sclwyn five months ago and released, and since that time it had increased 21b in weight and had travelled from the Selwyn to the Rangitata. The following telegram has been forwarded by the Otago Harbour Board to the Hon. J. A. Millar: —“On the eve of your retirement from politics, on behalf of the Otago Harbour Board, I desire to express our very sincere regret that the city and the Otago Harbour Board are to lose the benefit of your exceptional ability and unstinted energy and resourcefulness. Your practical application to the interests of my board have laid us under a special debt of gratitude to yourself. Wo trust that your retirement into private life will enable you to enjoy a well-earned rest, though, to be quite candid, we hope the dominion will soon have the benefit of your matured experience in the Legislative Council. Heartily and specially wishing you good health and happiness in the future.” The telegram is signed by Mr Mollor, chairman. Shearing is now becoming .general in the Cromwell district, and already (says our correspondent) several consignments of wool have gone forward, growers evidently being anxious to catch the opening sale. “We have a school but no children,” said a member of a deputation from the residents of the Shannon district, which waited on the Taieri County Council on the 27th. The speaker had been drawing a picture of the parlous plight of many of the residents who wore cut off from any swift communication with the outside world, so that, upon a member of the council suggesting, that, of course, there would bo no such luxury as a school in the district, some surprise was caused by the announcement of the Shannon resident, who explained that the school had been closed through lack of pupils. At the Invercargill Police Court on the 25th ult., before Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., Ernest Olaf Williams was charged with obtaining by means of a valueless cheque for £5 the sum of £4 5s from G. W. Woods and Co., and with obtaining from Victor Coleman by means of valueless cheques for £2 each the sums of £1 7s and £1 10s. Accused pleaded guilty. The evidence for the prosecution (says the Southland News) was that accused arrived.on the 17th inst., and had stayed at the Club Hotel. Ho had gone to Mr Coleman on two occasions and paid him with valueless cheques on the bank at Timaru, receiving change each time. Accused had attempted to pass oft another cheque on the manager for G. W. Woods and Co., and this had been refused. Inspector Norwood said that accused had not been before the court previously. His

Worship: “But he seems to have gone about things very systematically when he did start.” Mr H. M. Macdonald, for the defence, stated that accused had been in Dunedin Hospital for 16 weeks some time ago, suffering from neuritis. On coming to Invercargill he had indulged rather freely in drink, to which his lapse was attributed. It was urged that as accused had never previously committed a criminal offence, he should bo dealt with as leniently as possible. Accused was remanded till the following day, when he was admitted to probation for six months and ordered to pay the amounts of £4 and 15s of which ho iiad defrauded Victor Coleman and G. W. Woods and Co. Ho was also prohibited from liquor for 12 months. A special meeting of the Otago Land Board was held on the 27th ult. at the request of the members in order that the Omarama Run question might bo considered. The proceedings were conducted in committee, the present position of the Omarama Run being discussed. It was eventually decided that further consideration of the matter be held over until December 16. Mr A. Kaye, a well-known Christchurch business man, returned on the 24th from a visit to New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania. In the course of a brief conversation with a Dominion reporter, Mr Kaye stated that the drought was being rather severely felt in certain parts of the country, and there would be a big shortage in the grain crops. Whilst the western districts had suffered severely there were extensive belts of country which had experienced good rains, and the result was there was an abundance of feed. This was the case round Young, Moss Vale, and Junee, where it was said that one could not see the cattle when they Jaid down owing to the length of the grass. This, of course, was generally beneficial, as stock from the dry districts could be entrained to those districts that were rich in feed. Very dry weather had been experienced in Victoria and Tasmania, and a poor season generally must bo registered in those States. Mr A. Glover, Opposition candidate for the Auckland Central seat, at his meeting criticising all and sundry of the works of the Massey Government, was remarkably frank concerning his reason for being opposed to the Public Service Bill. In his opinion, he said, every paiblio servant should have the right to approach the member for his electorate if he had a legitimate grievance. He understood that any member of Parliament who tried to help a civil servant was liable to a fine of £SO or to imprisonment. “I believe I owe the country about £I3OO already,’ added Mr the country about £ISOO already,” added Mr Glover. Mr A. W. Fames, Audit Inspector for Canterbury, is asking for a full inquiry into the recent trouble in the Land Revenue Department. It is understood (says the Christchurch Press) that it is tho intention of the Crown to proceed against John Alexander M‘Kinnon, who was acquitted last week on charges of fraud upon tho Customs Department, upon the charges contained in the second indictment. The trial will probably take place on December 14. The disappearance of £IOO in gold from the trunk of a passenger travelling by the steamer Corinthic led to throe members of the crew —William Henry Ballard and Albert Watson (firemen) and John Ballard (trimmer) —appearing in the Supremo Court to answer a charge of bringing into Now Zealand sums of money which they had obtained (says the Auckland Star) by an offence which, had it been committed in New Zealand, would have been equivalent fo theft. Tho Crown Prosecutor stated that the money in question was the property of a Mr and Mrs Cosson, who wore passengers by tho steamer Corinthic from Capetown to Hobart in August. Amongst their luggage was a trunk, in which Mrs Cosson had placed two separate sums of £9o'and £lO in sovereigns. The trunk was put ashore at ' Hobart, and placed in a shod on the wharf. Subsequently it was taken on by rail to Launceston, where it was found to have been broached, and the money removed. 'llia ship came on to Auckland, where the accused John Ballard was arrested for another offence. He was found to have a sum of over £7 in his possession. Attention was also directed to the other accused by the fact that they were spending money freely, and they were interrogated by Detective Gourley, all three making written statements admitting the theft of the money at Hobart. Proof was also obtained that they had sent various sums of money to relatives in England. The jury, after about a quarter of an hour’s retirement,, found the three accused g'uilty. His Honor deferred sentence, and made an order for tho payment to Mrs Cosson of the money found on accused at tho time of their arrest. The city was gay on 28th tilt. In response to the request of tho Mayor (Mr J. B. Shaddock) many buildings displayed flags. One large establishment in George street showed from its roof the flags of Britain, Belgium, and Russia. Tho presence of tho fife and drum bands added a martial strain to the proceedings, and the many thousands of people who thronged the streets, notably in tho evening, contributed all the more readily under the patriotic inspiration of the music. In these days of warfare it is well to have a cheering note struck in our midst, and the Hospital Saturday Association certainly achieved that end on Saturday. The sum of £1350 was collected in the city and suburbs, and to this amount the country collections have yet to be added. Last February—tho collection was taken in that month, having been

postponed from November on account ot the strike—the amount taken in the city and suburbs and country was £B7O. As in former years, Mr E. S. Wilson (secretary) worked untiringly, and did not spare himself in his efforts to assist the collectors and helpers. Ho was courteous and obliging to all, and kept an admirable grasp of the whole arrangements, his assistance being of special value to the representatives of the press.

The Superintendent of Police, Dunedin, has been advised that the valuable homestead at Moeraki Station, the property of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, of which Mr W. 0. Mackollar is manager, was totally destroyed by fira at 4.30 on the 28th ult. About £IOO worth of furniture was saved. The insurances are principally held by the company’s own insurance department, though there is a small insurance held outside the company. The insurances, however, do not nearly cover the cost of the building, and the loss will bo heavy. The servants lost everything, one escaping in her nightclothes. A heavy gale was blowing at the time of the outbreak. The homestead contained eight rooms. An extract from an English letter received by a Nelson lady last week reads a» follows;—“The Germans were mad with drink and victory during the retreat of the British from Mons, and was one of 15 wounded lying waiting for the ambulance, when some Gormans came along and ripped up the stomach of each man with a sword, and left them to die. Twelve did die, but and two others were wearing thicker clothing, and the swords did not penetrate far enough to kill, though had a wound 21 inches long. Prior to that had scon women raving mad because they had been vilely outraged, and children’s heads, bodies, and various limbs thrown about in the roads and in the ditches. ended by saying if those at home could have seen it all there would not be a man left in England, for they would all be off to fight the Germans.” Last year, as well as previously, the New Zealand Government chartered a liner to bring out some hundreds of immigrants to this country from Home, but it is considered unlikely (says the Wellington Post) that such a course will be taken this year. However, large batches of immigrants are being brought from the Old Country by each mail steamer, and, according to advices received, the liners Mamari (replacing the Arawa) and Somerset (replacing the .Ruapehu) have on board some hundreds of third-class passengers. These include “assisted” immigrants as follow; —By the Mamari, 22 domestic servants, 12 farm labourers, and 99 separated relatives; by the Somerset, 13 domestic servants, nine farm labourers, and 42 separated relatives. There is a notable decrease in the number of farm labourers coming, this being accounted for by the fact that many have enlisted in the army. An accident of a somewhat peculiar nature, which was fortunately not attended by any serious results, occurred at St. Clair on the 2cth ult. Mr T. Fleming, who had been taking part in the Hospital Saturday procession, was about to make a second trip to town from his residence at the corner of Valpy street and Forbury road, and, unknown to him, a lad named Logan, about 10 years of age, had seated himself on the offside step. The car had proceeded some 10 or 15 chains when the lad jumped off, and, falling on his face on the road, was somewhat severely cut and bruised about the head and face. He was attended by Drs Ritchie and Carswell, and it is not thought that his injuries will have any serious effect. The double life of William Duncan Ferguson was revealed in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on the 23rd (says tho Post). His wife, Alice Ferguson, applied for a summary separation order on the ground that he bad failed to provide "maintenance for herself and four children. In opening the case counsel for complainant said:—“lt is only just recently that Mrs Ferguson became aware of her husband’s conduct. This man had been keeping two establishments. In one of these he kept a woman by whom he has had a child. Ho kept this secret from his wife, although it went on for months. When he went out in tho evenings be blamed the large amount of office work.” Alice Ferguson said that she resided in Tasman street. Her husband ■was a canvasser by occupation, worked in Auckland. The parties separated about September 21, and defendant went north, ostensibly on business, about two weeks ago. It was about then that she learnt of hia double , life. She had four children, sho owed £6 2s 6d for rent, and much money for provisions She had absolutely nothing now. She would never go back to her husband again—never, she reiterated. Defendant: Were you ever satisfied with anything I ever did for you? Witness: You did nothing but make my life unbearable. You kept another woman, you scoundrel. Defendant : It was you who made my life unbearable. You could never master your temper. You keep nagging and nagging, and yon have driven me from home. Counsel : Did ho ever take you to any entertainment? Witness: No. He always had the excuse that he was too busy. To Mr Cooper, S.M., defendant stated that ho could not tolerate his wife’s temper, and would not go back to her. His Worship said he would mako an order for £2 a week, as he quite understood complainant could not live on less. Defendant was also ordered to enter into a bond for £SO, and to pay costs and -witnesses’ expenses. According to defendant, he was earning only £2 per week. He said ho had no intention of running away—ho thought too much of his children for that.