DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 94, 4 December 1911, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) Feilding, December I. With reference to the telegram about the arbitrators’ investigation of the Rev. Hammond’s statement that some pictures and statements published in the pages of the supplement of the Wellington “Evenmg Post,” were false, exception has been tau* u to tiie words: “Therefore Mr Hammond wins,” on the grounds that McManaway, the challenger, did not approve of the appointment of Mr '.lrewin as one of the arbitrators. So far as the payment of £25 is concerned, that matter is outside the meaning of the telegram, which was that Mr Hammond was found to be correct in his statement by the two men who investigated. Wellington, December 4. Sir Robert Stout delivered his decision in the case of the petition by the trustees and executors of the will of Taare Waitara, of Parihaka (Te Whiti’s successor), for commission for administering the estate. The question to be answered in the case was whether the Court had power so as to interfere in the administration of the estate of an aboriginal native of New Zealand as to grant of commission under section 20 of the Administration Act, 1909. The estate totalled £28,017 7s 6d. Sir Robert Stout held that a special power of the Native Land Act overrides the provisions of the Administration Act. The Supreme Court has no power to grant commission to executors. “If,” added his Honor, “the Native Land Court cannot grant commission then there seems to be a need of some authority being given to that Court.” He remarked that other Judges with whom ho had consulted agreed with him. Auckland, December 3. At the Supreme Court yesterday, Martha Jane O’Shanghnessy was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the death of Elsie Holland at Kings! and, and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. The jury found Mary Hassell and Charlotte Campbell guilty of conspiring to defeat the ends of justice, and James O’Shaughnessy not guilty. James O’Shaughnessy was therefore discharged, and Mrs, Campbell and Mrs Hassell each sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment.