Dominion Doings

Southland Times, Issue 12121, 29 April 1908, Page 3

Dominion Doings

COUBT OP APPEAL (Ptr United Press Association.) ■WELLINGTON, April 28. Tho Court of Appeal gave Judgment In the case or Rex v. Beeson (criminal libel) that It was not necessary for the prosecution to prove at tho trial that the order authorising tho prosecution had been made by a magistrate under section 5 of the Criminal Code Amendment Act, 1901. So long as the order was duly made (as it was In this case) that was sufficient. The conviction was affirmed. '±he court then took tho case of Rax v. Tustln. Defendant had been convicted under the Bankruptcy Act of having failed to keep proper books and of having contracted debts when he had no reasonable prospects of being able to pay them ; but the jury had expressly found that he was not guilty of any fraudulent Intent. The question reserved for the higher court was whether a fraud was a nocejsary Ingredient in the offence charged. There was also another question of the admission of a deposition. Mr Neavo appeared for the appellant and Mr Myers for the Crown. 'Without calling on the latter point the court decided that fraudulent intent was not necessary to constitute the offences charged against appellant and confirmed the conviction. In Rex v. Hurland, an appeal against conviction at Auckland for interference with a girl under the ago of consent, the court also affirmed a conviction. A telegram was received from prisoner's counsel stating that he didn't wish to go further with the appeal, but the court considered that It should hear the case It had before it.

An application was made by FranlSales (who had been convicted at Christchurch of breaking and entering) on the question of identification Leave was granted to apply for a new trial. The case was not concluded when the court adjourned. PAXISSBS UXIOXT COSTFEJUSXCE. ELTHAM, April 28. The order paper for the Taranaki Provincial Conference of the Farmer.. Union contains, among other Items remits urging the importation of labour. universal military training, increase of the colony's contribution to the Navy, protection against preference to unionists, and one urging that as the union is not unanimous enough to take up a strong political attitude, an effort be made to enlist the sympathy of farmers by lectures on up-to-date farm topics. AX AFTERNOON BUSGIAST, CHRISTCHURCH, April 23. A most impudent, and successful, burglary took place at Hedcliffe near Sumner early this afternoon, when th. residence of Mrs Best was entered am: articles of Jewellery and other ornaments to the value of £ 100 were stolen The crime seems to liavo been committed by one familiar with Mr:Best's movements, for It was while tin lady was away taking her customar\ walk that entrance to her house waeffected and the goods were abstracted Tiie matter was promptly reported t the constable at Sumner and dlliger.i enquiries were made, but so far without result. 31AYOXAZ. ELSCTIOnS. PALMERSTON N., April 28. There is considerable interest in th< contest between three candidates forth.' mayoralty which takes place to-morrow. Feeling is very high, and it is anticipated that the voting will be conslderabl in advance of anything previously polled at a local mayoral election. Cr Nash closed his campaign last evening with a most enthusiastic meeting at thOpera House, where there was tl largest audience ever seen in the build ing. DAMAGE ET PIKE. In the case of Spelman v. Llnklatei' In which plaintiff .«ued defendant for £124 5s for damage done to his farm at Pohangina by a lire, eaid to have been ■tarted by defendant, judgment wa* given for the plaintiff for £BO. A2JOTJT CXA3TE3. AUCKLAND, April 28. A discussion regarding the question of inviting tenders for the electric cranes for use on the Harbour Boards new wharves took place at tho meeting of the Board this afternoon. The subcommittee appointed to consider the question recommended that tenders be invited for the .supply of a floating crane and some 3U electric cranes. Mr Knuen said tlint th» purchase of SG cranes would n i i! •■ Board into an expenditure of £<*'t.' '" or £60,000. In Wellington, kvhere '.•■ wharves wenequipped with ii tees they were verj seldom used by *•■- els except whenthey were working double gangs. Thi idea of tiie crane* v. ere first brought to New Zealand • • Mr Ferguson, the late engineei of tin .Wellington Board. Tht conditions which obtained in the Oh'. Country were not applicable here. He did not object to a floating crane but he thought that a few portable cranes would I 1" sufficient, seeing that tho vessels that came to the port were equip ped with the latent facilities for handling cargo. F-fe moved that the matter be referred back in the committee fui further consideratio i Mr liradney seconded the motion, which was agreed to. *TOO MUCH 3ACINO. AUCKLAND, April 28. Interviewed to-day regarding the Rev. J. J. North's statements as to the necessity for amending the Gaming Act In regard t" racing, the Hon. K. Mitchelson, chairman of the Auckland Racing Club, said that his eluh. nearlj two years ago, had taken the initiative in regard to bookmakers. He was in favour of wiping out bookmakers altogel ii' admitted that Mr North had lm:<\ I a weak spot In regard to our uid I'■ ;• regulation of the totallsator clubs. ': : e representatives of metropolitan elulia at the racing conference would have willingly <igr<>ed to reduce the number of clubs and days of racing, bui they were outvoted by the representatlvi - of country clubs. There is no doubt, he said. that there is far too much racing. Tic agreed with Mr North an to the nece»s'ty In urging on the Government the suoresaion of non-tntnlisator clubs, the restrictions "f totalizator elub.s are! the prohibition of proprietary racing.