LAST NIGHT'S NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10659, 12 May 1906, Page 1

LAST NIGHT'S NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, last night. A deputation from the Council of Churches waited on the- Minister for Justice to-day, and urged upon him the desirableness of introducing a system of indeterminate sentences m case "of habitual criminals. The Minister, m reply, said he intended to place tho proposals before the Ministry, and he hoped something- of vali-e would bo evolved. It would be hard if a prisoner, even if a bad man, should have no chance of liberation after conviction. He thought it would be a good thing if the causes of criminality were investigated. Special knowledge on the subject should be cultivated at the University.

A sequel of the disorder on the 6hip Cuss ius during her voyage from Liverpool wa.s the admusion to-day by three members of the crew, Whiting, Scott, and Woollcy, and George AUright, the chief mate, that they had been guilty of cargo broaching on the passage. The police stated that the accused broke down the bulkhead separating the seamen's quarters from the hold, and periodically helped themselves to whisky and preserved milk on different dates during the voyage. Each of the accused was m such* a state of drunkenness as to seriously interfere with the work of the ship. On one occasion Whiting had to be put m irons. The mate had, while drunk, suggested to tlie crew that they should overpower the captain. Accused were remanded for sentence.

, GREYxMOUTH, last night. The Minister for Marine, m reply to tho Hon. Mr Guinness, telegraphed to-d:iy regarding the survey of the proposed harbor at Point Elizabeth : — "Have made arrangements for one of our stall' to undertake the work. Tho Tutunekai will not be required, as the work can be done conveniently from the land. The work will be started shortly." At the Magistrate's Court to-day Charles and Mary McPhersou were committed for trial at the Supreme Court, Hokitika, for, it was alleged, employing a man named Pascoc to perform an il legal operation. DUNEDIN, last night. At the Police Court to-day Henry Wong Gye, a Chinese half-caste, was sentenced to six months on three charges of defrauding tradesmen by means of valueless cheques. He passed three cheques on different tradespeople for £15, £10, and £5, by (purchasing goods and receiving the difference m change. A man who wa« charged at tho Police Court with deserting his wife alleged that the woman was not married to him. The prosecutrix stated that after their manage m Victoria sho gave the certificate U> defendaut. The case was adjourned pending the arrival of the certificate. At tho Police Court to-day the proprietary of a mercery shop was fined m the nominal sum of Is and costs for employing his assistant later than 6 o'clock on two evenings at Easter. He kept open late o« Good' Friday eve, and also on the succeeding Saturday. Defendant was under the impression he could do so as long as the hours did not exceed 52.