DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 87, 19 April 1913, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

THE MAN AEG A WEECKED. [Per Press Association.] Nelson, April 18. The well-known coastal steamer Manama, while on a voyage from Motueka to Wellington, struck on the rocks known as the Beef Barrels at' 12.45 this morning, and was subsequently beached on D’Urville Island in a sinking condition. The vessel was owned by Johnston and Co., of Wellington, and was of 127 tons burden. Captain Gilbertson and the crew and eleven passengers were saved. THE GOEF/ FLOODS. • Gore, April 18. Mr Herries visited Eiversdale, Switzers and Lumsden this afternoon with Mr Eonayne. He inspected the Eiyersdale-Switzers branch of the line. The damage by the flood was considerable. The first stop was at Eiversdale, where 25,000 sheep were being offered for sale. The Minister addressed farmers, and subsequently left for Switzers, where the railway employees’ hoqses were ruined by the flood. He promised to shift them higher, and also to grant compensation. The Minister said that he thought the damage /stated in the newspapers was exaggerated at the /time/,: buP He doubted now whether it was mtfch exaggerated.

SLY-GEOG SELLING

Ashburton, April 18

At the Police Court to-day, Nellie Allman was fined £ls and costs on a charge of allowing her house to be used as a place of resort for the consumption of liquor in theAshburton nolicense district.

CHAEGE OF MANSLAUGHTER

Auckland, April 19

Harold .Gladstone Brown was charged at the Police Court with the murder of Manuel Santos, the case being the sequel to a fight between two men and accused. At the request of th© Police Inspector, the charge was reduced to one of manslaughter. MEASLES ON THE lONIC. Wellington, April 19. Measles broke out amongst some children on board the lonic when the vessel was en route from London to Wellington. Over forty were affected, ’and thirty-one are still suffering from the disease. The children, together with their mothers, are to he sent to quarantine at Somes Island to-morrow.

AN IMPOETANT JUDGMENT

Dunedin, April 18. The judgment of Mr Justice Williams in the case of the Bay Town Board and Bishop Verdon and others was delivered to-day. The main points of tho case ire that the Bay Town Board local authority sued two ladies who are nuns of the order of the Little Sisters of the Poor. The defendants are the owners and occupiers of a homo for aged persons. The Board suCd for 6s Bd, alleged to lie due for rates. Defendants claimed that the property was not rateable, inasmuch as it comes within paragraphs (1) and (j) of the exemptions from rating, contained in section 2 of the Rating Act, ing the situation the judge set out the fact that a large number of inmates received pensions, which were paid into the institution. The judgment proceeded: “In order that tho institution may come within tho exemption it is essential that tho institution should be carried on for the free maintenance of the aged. The institution cannot be said carried on for the free maintenance of the aged if a number of its inmates pay the institution in part for their maintenance.” He thought, therefore, that the institution is not exempted from the rates under the paragraph. It was contended further that the institution came within paragraph (i) as being a hospital. This, however, the judge did not allow. In conclusion, the judge stated: “I think, therefore, that the plaintiff is entitled to judgment. I should have been glad to have been able to come to a different conclusion, because I

fully recognise the devotion ol the ladies in charge of the institution and the beneficent work they are carrying on.” * ALLEGED BREACHES OF THE GAMING LAWS. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, April 18. As a result of operations by detectives during the recent Wellington and Manawatu races, about twentyeight summonses have been issued against book-makers, several publicans, and barmen in hotels, on charges which cover betting in the streets and on licensed premises, and permitting betting on licensed premises. PRISONERS SENTENCED. Wellington, April 19. At the Supreme Court to-day, David Irwin, charged with breaking and entering, was _ sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, and was declared an habitual criminal. Edward. Raffels Bentley, charged with being armed at night with intent to break and enter, was ordered to be detained in prison for two years’ for reformative treatment.