TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 20540, 17 July 1928, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

“The Sacco-Vanzetti case was undoubt- 1 edly one of the great outstanding trials in the history of judicial procedure. As time goes on, it will be studied by successive generations of lawyers, historians and sociologists,” says the New Republic. “Heretofore, such study has been rendered almost impossible by the fact that so few copies of the official record of the trial existed, and that some of these were in the hands of officials who were little interested in giving access to them. This difficulty will be -avoided in the future. Through the generosity of a group of public-spirited citizens, the entire record of the case is to be published. It will occupy six volumes, of about 1000 pages each, and will contain, not only the full transcript of the testimony exactly as given (even misspelled words and erroneous punctuation have been left uncorrected), but all the other official documents: the bill of exceptions, and the additional motions for a new trial, briefs of both sides, the various petitions to Governor Fuller, his decision and the report of the Advisory Committee, etc. A supplemental volume gives all the available documents in the previous trial of Vanzetti at Bridgewater. The only editorial additions anywhere are title pages for the various sections, a table of contents and an index. The publication of this work is sponsored by a distinguished committee of lawyers, without, of course, their assuming any opinion as to the trial itself. Berlin’s women police are celebrating their first anniversary and can look back upon a very successful year. They are not uniformed as they are in Dresden, it having been thought wiser for the present not to make them unduly conspicuous. In the whole of Prussia there are now sixty-two policewomen, and the number is being added to. They are know as officers of the Criminal Department of Police, and pursue their work quietly and unobtrusively, dealing chiefly with youthful delinquents. They seek to gain the children’s confidence when investigations are made or evidence is requisite, and being all women of -education and pleasant - manner, they are successful where the policeman would probably fail. The women are in close touch and on the best of terms with their masculine colleagues, and are furnished with a sharp whistle—their own weapon—should the latters’ assistance be required. The course of training for this calling is a strenuous one, lasting nine months, and strict examinations are the rule. The criminal department has received many letters during the past year from parents expressing gratitude for the help rendered their unruly children. “Neither the military authorities, nor the police, nor any other agents of the Crown have any power whatsoever at common law to compel, or even to induce by threats or otherwise, any British subject, whether under arrest or not, to answer questions which they may wish to put to them,” says Mr J. H. Morgan, K.C., in a letter to The Times, in reference to the recent Scotland Yard episode. “That power was at one time exercised by a body notorious in English history as the Star Chamber, which could and did compel subjects, against whom no charge at common law had even been made, to answer questions on oath, and, if the unfortunate object of its attentions proved contumacious, to submit him to torture. With the abolition of this peculiar tribunal, that arbitrary power disappeared for ever in this country.” That doctrine animates the whole fabric of British law, the Observer states. “By the supreme paradox of statesmanship we have raised a system of government upon the rights of the citizen agains the State. The liberty of the subject is no mere text-book phrase. It is the principle which inspires the profoundly humane genius of British institutions. . . . Now, as ever, the strength of the police is in the trust of the public. They cannot do their work unless it be taken as a matter of course that they, too, are citizens acting according to the spirit of British citizenship. The aim of our law is to seek out and to establish the means of protecting the average man and woman. The life goes out of it if this aim is made subordinate to the idea of vindicating justice by the detection of crime. The citizen’s right was once asserted against the law. It is now the essence of the law. Let this truth be maintained by our Courts, reiterated in our Parliaments, even taught in our schools; for it is as much the foundation of a good State as are the Ten Commandments of a good life.”

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following forecast: —An anticyclone is covering the New Zealand area. An intense low pressure disturbance is still situated over south eastern Australia with its centre off the east coast of Tasmania. Moderate winds between south and south east backing to northerlies and frfeshening seas. Rough but decreasing on the east coast south of East Cape and moderate elsewhere. Northerly winds becoming strong in the eastern Tasman Sea, more especially in the southern portion with moderate but rising seas. Weather mainly fair to cloudy at first with milder temperatures. Becoming cloudy soon on the west coast of the South Island with showers and later unsettled conditions extending to other districts. The price of butter in Wellington was advanced by a penny a pound on Saturday. The thirteenth draft of Flock House boys, numbering 35, arrived at Wellington by the Rotorua on Saturday, reports a Press Association message. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, a boxer who has just recently arrived in New Zealand from the Old Country, was admitted to the Southland Hospital at 10 o’clock last evening suffering from head depression as the result of being knocked down by a motor car. At seven minutes past six last evening the Invercargill Fire Brigade received a call to the railway station where an outbreak of fire had occurred in the record room. A few papers were burned, but otherwise the damage done was slight. An Athol correspondent states that at a bazaar held by the Anglican Church Committee on Friday, July 13, the takings were over £lOO. The sincere thanks of the committee are due to all who helped in any way to make the bazaar the huge success it was. The suggestion was put forward in the report of the Curator of Public Reserves (Mr J. A. McPherson) at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, that since there was a good deal of tree planting to take place in the Park this month, the schools be approached with the idea of holding an Arbour Day. At last night's meeting of the Borough Council the Rest Room Management Committee reported that for the four weeks ending June 29, receipts at the rest room, Forth street, amounted to £8 11/2. During the month 1,156 people passed through the rooms as follows: elderly ladies 59; mothers 174; visitors 925. The tramway receipts for the month of June show a slight decrease, £1,924 19/8 being taken as against £1,994 17/9 for June, 1927. The number of passengers carried last month was 259,839 as against 267,244 during the same month of last year. A slight increase was shown in the return from the motor omnibus £94 14/2 being taken as against £92 14/2 for the same month last year and 8,342 passengers were carried as against 7,418 for last June. Last Thursday evening the Waituna schoolhouse, which was erected some 35 years ago, was completely destroyed by fire, the origin of the outbreak being unknown. The fire was first noticed at 10.30 p.m. when the head teacher (Mr J. Ewart) before retiring to bed noticed a reflection 'through the blind, and upon making further investigations discovered the schoolhouse on fire. Aided by a strong wind the fire securer! a strong hold and the building was quickly demolished. The present roll-call is 41, and the building, which consisted of one large classroom, was taken to its present site some 16 years ago. The Southland Education Board is at present making arrangements to obtain the hall as a schoolhouse for the time being. It, is understood that an inquiry will be held shortly. Children’s Flannel Rompers in ten colours. Sale price from 4/2 to 7/6 at Miss Noble’s, Ladies’ and Children’s Outfitter, Dee Street.—Advt. Sweet news. Good news. Cheaper living. Sugar dropped 2/- per bag at Baxter’s. Price of sugar bags best quality 701 b. bags reduced to 14/6 per bag. And as usual. Best value. Best service. Best goods—lowest prices at Baxter’s.—Advt. The Sales of DEWAR’S IMPERIAL Whisky considerably exceed combined sales of other brands. —Advt. Ladies’ Heavy Winter weight Vests shaped at waist full chemise length 2/6 each. Great value—Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Dee street. —Advt. Chilblains are easily cured by using Stewart’s Electric Chilblain Liniment to relieve the inflammation and irritation and by taking chilblain tablets internally. These two remedies have proved wonderfully successful. Only 1/6 each at Stewart’s Pharmacy, Dee street. — (Advt.). I was going to work at seven half past Without my breakfast ration Said cook to me, you cannot last, Without your Hitchon’s bacon.— (Advt.) In order to fittingly mark the tercentenary year of John Bunyan’s birth, the Religious Tract Society has published a cheap edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress. Bound in a pictorial paper wrapper, in clear type, and with four coloured illustrations by Harold Copping it is wonderful value for 9d (postage 3d.). Other editions obtainable are 2/6 (postage 4d.) 4/-, (postage sd), 7/-, (postage 10) and annotative at 11/6 (postage 10d.). N.Z. Book Depot, Esk street, Invercargill.—Advt. Thomson and Beattie, Ltd complete their stocktaking this week and the following are a few of the lines to be quitted:—Fringed Breakfast Cloths, red and blue border 50 x 50 inch 5/9 for 4/6; 50 x 60 6/11 for 5/6; 58 x 70 9/6 for 7/11 and 58 x 90 inch 12/6 for 9/6 each. Linen Sets—l Tablecloth and 6 Serviettes, boxed, 2x2 yds, 37/6 and 42/6 to clear at 27/6 and 32/6. Heavy AH Wool White Blankets, single bed 27/6 for 22/6; Double bed size 39/6 for 29/6 pair.—Advt. Big Tree Motor Oil will make your car run with a whisper. You’ll hear it whisper “Thank you.” —(Advt.) On Thursday, July 19, Captain P. C. Wren’s great new story of the French Foreign Legion “Beau Jideal” will be on sale. The story tells of the adventures of John Geste and also narrates the further exploits of Hank and Buddy and finally clears up the mystery of the “Blue Water” and of Michael’s beau geste. A tale of love and high adventure. Price 6/-. Hyndman’s, Booksellers, Dee street.—Advt. “Chattering his teeth for cold that did him chill.” —Spenser. Whenever teeth begin to chatter, it’s time for Baxter’s Lung Preserver to get to work. Let this wonderful specific safeguard your own and your family’s health. Rick, red, soothing and dependable, it has been relieving coughs and colds in New Zealand for over 60 years. An excellent tonic, too, and pleasant to take. Obtainable at all chemists and stores. 2/6 for a generous-sized bottle. Large, economical size 4/6. Bachelor’s bottle 1/6. (Advt.) YOUNG BRIDE’S ACT. The old story is often told of a young thoughtful bride who made her husband take his cough mixture every morning before he left her ;o work in the city. But nowadays young men are different. Especially in Invercargill men have learned to fear neither the colds nor influenza. If threatened with any symptoms they take Pectol. Some fellows carry it in their pockets. You see Pectol and colds cannot agree. Keep Pectol and lose your cold. Obtainable at Brown’s Pharmacy only.— Geo. H. Brown, Chemist and Optican, 125 Dee Street. —Advt.

At its meeting last evening the Gore Borough Council decided that lights on cars in specially lighted parking areas would not require in future to be kept burning. The reported case of anthrax in the Selwyn County is now denied, the authorities stating that the death of the cow was due to arsenical poisoning.—Christchurch Press Association message. A Greymouth message states that Cornelius Vincent Neill was fined £3, with costs, on a charge of taking native game, being caught with three pigeons in his possession. James Gibb was fined £2, with costs, for taking two matches into the Dobson mine. A bright little story with a moral was told by Sir Alexander Roberts at a Rotary Club dinner at Masterton. In response to the “boy wanted’ advertisement of a commercial firm, he said, a big contingent of boys turned up. They were lined up in a long queue, and while the interviewing of applicants was in progress the manager of the firm received a note, which read: “I am the kid at the end of the line. Don’t do anything until you have seen me.” "Needless to say,” said Sir Alexander, "he got the job. He used his head.” "He doesn’t realize the seriousness of the charge. One of his explanations is that it passes the time,” said Senior Sergeant Fox, in the Police Court yesterday morning when Donald Lee Chapman, aged 47, represented by Mr A. F. Hogg, appeared before Messrs J. R. Haigh and H. Siinson, Justices of the Peace on a charge of using indecent language within the hearing of persons in a public place. In outlining the facts of the case, Senior Sergeant Fox stated that at 9 o’clock on Sunday morning a complaint was made at the police station that a man could be heard swearing in his hut in Conyers street, whereupon a constable was despatched to the scene. It appeared that this had been going on for some time and as a consequence the womenfolk in the vicinity were more or less terrified. In concluding, the Senior Sergeant asked that Chapman be remanded until July 25 for medical observation, the request being accordingly granted. “New Zealand pays more for its motor spirit than any country in the world except Italy,” declared Dr. Porritt, chairman of the Wanganui Automobile Association, at a meeting of the executive of that body last week (says the Chronicle). The re-

laov \i?aye vuc vuiuiiiuie/. me remark was made during a general discussion on petrol prices An offer was received from a certain firm to supply financial members of the .association w’ith motor spirit. It was decided to accept the offer to supply spirit at 1/111 a gallon from the bowser and 15/9 by the case. The opinion of the members of the executive was that first-rate motor spirit could be sold in New Zealand much cheaper than at the present time. It wag stated that the reason for the association taking up the offer was not that it thought local retailers were charging too much or making too great a profit on petrol, but that it desired to protest against the present wholesale prices, which did not enable retailers to sell at a reasonable price. The Pioneer Football Club (Gore) held a very enjoyable smoke social in the bandroom on Saturday evening. Mr C. M. Wilsoh (president) occupied the chair. During the evening the chairman on behalf of the club members and supporters presented Mr T. ,R. Pryde, who recently left the district, with a fountain pen and Eversharp pencil in a handsome case. The chairman referred to the good work accomplished by Mr Pryde on behalf of the club over a long period, and the deep regret felt by the club members at Mr Pryde's departure. Mr F. O’Kane was then presented with a silvermounted tea tray to mark the appreciation of the members on his notable achievement as treasurer last season, when he had established a record in the amount of subscriptions collected, and also to mark his long and active participation in the affairs of the club, practically since its inception. The health of each guest was drunk with musical honours. A small toast-list was also gone through and musical items were interspersed throughout the programme, the following contributing items: Messrs E. Ottrey, T. R. Pryde, M. Cronin, L. Thompson, A. D. Crawford, J. Murtagh, C. Miller and Bain’s Orchestra,