GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 95, 5 December 1911, Page 7

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

(Per Press Association.) Masterton, December 3. A well-known settler of Greytown, named John Cotter, was motoring from Palmerston North yesterday. When about five miles to the north of Masterton the car became unmanageable when descending a hill and went over an embankment. Cotter jumped from the car and fell on his head, breaking his neck and one arm and sustaining scalp wounds. Death was instantaneous. Deceased leaves awidow and one daughter (Mrs White, of Porangahau). At the inquest the evidence showed that deceased, in company with a chaffeur named Darting, was driving from Palmerston North, to Masterton in a new Siddcley car. When ascending a hill about six miles north of Masterton, the car got into a watertable. It then sheered across the road and went over an embankment about sixty feet deep. The car fell on Cotter, breaking his necki and inflicting other severe injuries. Bartling escaped with broken fingers and bruises. A verdict was returned of death from misadventure. The late Mr Cotter was a brother of Mrs Freoth, of New Plymouth, and uncle of Mr W. J. Freeth, of Pukearuhe, an d Mr Pierce C. Freeth, of the Petone “Chronicle.” Wellington, December 3.

“It is not generally known by those who criticise Judges,” said the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), when sen-

fencing a prisoner yesterday, “that it is my duty to find out all 1 can about and accused person’s character, and if I get evidence I state it to counsel. 1 must not only look at what is proved in the lower Court or in this Court, - but must look outside in this case.” Alfred Arthur Henderson, a youth, ■ was. being sentenced on a charge of ■ breaking and entering and theft at Karaka Bay. “The lad seems to think,” continued the Chief Justice, “that the matter is of no importance: When a pris-i oner asks for probation and does a thing like that, it ought not to be granted. I notice that the Chief Detective says ho does not realise the seriousness of his position.” Mr A. L. Herdman (counsel for prisoner): “Yes, ho does. His uneje is prepared to take him.” “Tins theft,” declared his Honor, “was a mean one. He stole the articles from people who had been friends to him. That is not very satisfactory. However, I always desire to be lenient ; perhaps too much so, and I am willing to give you another chance. Ho will lie given probation for twelve months and must report himself monthly to the probation officer.” Mr Herdman asked his Honor to fix some hour of the day for the boy to be indoors at night." His Honor: “Yes; he must bo in at 6 o’clock at night for the first three months to see how he gets on.” Ashburton, December 3. A bad accident occurred during the progress of a bicycle road rare last night, by which a boy, named W. Shaw, collided with another comnetitor and fell to the ground, striking it with such force that lie was rendered unconscious, and has since remained so. The injuries to his head are very serious. Timaru, December 3. The South Canterbury teachers meeting, as a branch of the Institute, passed with acclamation congratulations to Mr J. G. Gow on completion of his 25 years’ inspectorship under the South Canterbury Board. Leading teachers spoke highly of ins good qualities as an inspector. HALS. Encounter is spending a week at Timaru. Captain Hockley was officially welcomed and the Navy League and crew are exchanging entertainments. Christchurch, December 3. , Ergest Shackleton, aged seventeen years, residing at Linwood, was getting through a fence, when a gun lie was carrying went off and he received tho charge. His condition is somewhat serious. John Campbell, nineteen years of age, residing at Addington, when out shooting slipped on a stone, arid, to save himself, throw the gun from him. It went off, however, and lie receiv'd the charge in a foot and thigh. Dunedin, December 3. Lady Islington and party, who were the guests of Mr and Mrs A. F. Roberts at Teviot station, returned to town tiiis morning, and proceeded north to join the Governor. Yesterday her Ladyship motored to Roxburgh, visiting the local school, where she was received by the Mayor and a guard of honour of the school cadets. Lady Islington was much pleased with some action songs, complimenting Miss Geades (the mistress) and giving a short address on elementary civics. She strongly emphasised the need for children treating all the weaker animals with kindness. She afterwards paid a visit to the orchards of Messrs McMullen and Waigth and Sons. The party returned to Miller’s Flat, where Lady Islington visited the school and delivered another- address. The secretary of the South Island Dairy Association (Mr J. R. Scott), who has just returned from the Bluff, states that tho Kaikoura shipped 5963 crates of cheese from that port, and the Rcmuora will ship about 1500 crates from Dunedin, leaving next Tuesday. The s.s. Kia Ora took 6421 crates from New Zealand, * and the Athenic sailed from Wellington yes- : terday with 17,655 crates of cheese and 50,082 boxes of butter. Saturday night’s taking in Dunedin and suburbs for Hospital Saturday reached £645 12s 7d, with several late returns still uncounted and further lists to come in. The committee anticipates that the total takings will reach £IOOO.