LATE NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11854, 19 May 1909, Page 6

LATE NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. In an action for libel, Bradney v. Virtue, arising out of the Harbor Board' ejection, the jury found for plaintiff for £25 damages. Mr McGregor moved for a judgment for £50. 'Mr Bamford, for plaintiff, said he desired to address the Court on the question of privilege. The/ case was adjourned by agreement to a future date. STRATFORD, this day. The Taranaki Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union opened here today. Resolutions were passed urging increased railway facilities and trucking for stock, recommending Parliamentary regulation of the speed of motor cars, deprecating the purchase of private: estates by the Government while so much waste land awaits settlement, tind condemning the taxation of farmers on the so-called unimproved value of their holdings. WELLINGTON, this day. »Six booksellers were charged at * the Magistrate's Court with selling copies of New Zealand Tjuth, alleged to contain matter of an indecent nature. Mr Riddell, S.M., said the articles appeared in^ a^ newspaper which was sold indiscriminately, and m his opinion were indecent. A.ny booksellers who stocked papers had a reasonable opportunity of learning their contents; Each . defendant was fined £1 and costs varying from £1 lfls 6d to £3 103. John Thos. McKinnon, manager of Truth, similarly charged, was fined £5, with £3 9s costs, on one charge, and £1, Avith Jt>3 4f costs, on the second. Notice of appeal was given. At the Supreme Court Geo. Richardson, £or forgery, waft sentenced to two years' imprisonment; Arthur Frake, for theft and forgery, was admitted to two years' probation. Rose Mclnnes, a young woman, charged with making a false statement on oath at Hastings, was ordered to come up for sentence when called on. She had been living with a man against whom she swore an information charging him with deserting her. Since then the narties had married. ■ REEFTON. this day. The Hon. J. A. Millar last nipht strongly defended^ the action of the Government m presenting the Dreadnought. Some day men \ would know the full reason. ■ It was impossible to run the risk of defeat of the British fleet and the danger to our commerce. The enthusiasm' with which the gift was received m the Home Country showed its value. The Minister was cheered. Replying to a deputation re railway extension to Crushington, the Hon. J. A. Millar said -that if Reef ton residents guaranteed any deficiency of income arising from that extension the line could be . constructed. The offer was cordially received, as the line would open up big coalfields and make ( the Consolidated Company's new concentrate works there the Cockle Creek of. New Zealand. y OHRISTCHURCH, this day. At the Magistrate's Court ta-dav, John Crev was charged with nffiaultine hi.s father, also named John Grey, with intent todo bodily injury. After heirinpr ■the evidence, the chnree was reduced to common assault. Grey being fined PA. Grey was m the habit of getting drank. He came home .m that condition, and when remonstrated with by his father pushed- the old man against a bedstead and broke a rib. He was a" good enouprh son when sober. Old Grey ajid his wife are old age pensioners. The West Ooo.it murder case was resumed at the Supreme Court* to-day. Constable Butler recapitulated the evidence given at the previous trials, a.nd the defence evidence closed. Mr Stringer, for the Crown, called rebutting evidence to that of Olkf Hallinan. one of th? men sentenced* for murder m the first case, but pardoned and released. .DUNEDTN, this day. Alexander Gray, licensee of the Prince v of Wales hotel, was convicted of selling liquor to a prohibited person, and was fined £5 and costs.