NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 24

NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS.

AUCKLAND. An officer well known in Auckland military circles (Captain Robert Candlish Hockmgj was arrested on the 20th and brought Defcre Mr Frazer, S.M., in the police court. He was charged that, on or about September 29, 1915, being adjutant of the 3rd Auckland Regiment, he received £5 on terms requiring him to account for same to the Auditor-general. He failed to do 60. On the application of the chief detective a remand for eight days was granted. Bail was fixed at one surety of £IOO or two of £SO. Mr Denniston, for accused, stated there was a perfect answer to the charge. WELLINGTON. In the Magistrate's Co\irt three men— Timothy Troy, Joseph William Scott, and Maurice Costello —were committed for trial on a charge of conspiring to defraud Alfred Crossley, a veterinary surgeon, of £52 in connection with a game of show poker at Pahiatua after the recent race meeting. As the result of a conferen«% between Dr Valintine (Inspector-general of Hospitals) and the Wellington Hospital Board, an agreement has been reached whereby the Government will take over the Otaki Hospital and from the beginning of next year, for the use of returned soldiers requiring medical or surgical treatment or suffering from consumption. James Baldwin, who escaped from Wellington Prison on August 3, was captured at Aramaho last week. He was remanded to Wellington The total rainfall in Wellington last year was 37.28 inches. The average annual fall for the pasi 60 years was just under 50 inches. There was no measurable rainfall in December. This was the first, time that such a record was noted since 1862. In November nearly six inches fell. WEST COAST. Walter Thorpe has been arrested at Ngakawau on a charge of assault with serious intent on Patrick O'Connor, whom, it is alleged, he stabbed with a knife on Saturday, 25rd ult., inflicting serious wounds in the face and chest. O'Connor was taken to the- hospital. Thorpe appeared before the court, and was remanded till January 3. CANTERBURY. At a meettng of the executive of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union the following resolution was carried: —"That racing and trotting clubs be requested to reduce the number of race meetings, in order that more men might bo available to inoroaso the production of food and clothing for those fighting."