ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2934, 18 February 1896, Page 4

ACCIDENTS, OFFENCES, ETC.

Alexander was charged at the Auckland Police Court with manslaughter in the case of James Stokes, the cab-driver, and was remanded to Wednesday to see the result of the adjourned inquest. Bail was allowed in £2OO. At the Supreme Court, Napier, on Thursday, Alexander Waller was acquitted on a charge of sheep stealing at Waipawa. Robert White, for breaking and entering, was sentenced to three years, and Timini Tewhate, for a similar offence, to two years. Hugh Hickey, for robbery from tho person, three years. Frederick Annear and George Castle for forgery, five and three years respectively. Charles Howel and Edward Gibson, for theft, two years and 18 mouths respectively. Frederick Litchfield, of Blenheim, who was travelling with drapery, attempted suicide at Culleusville on Tuesday evening by cutting an artery in his arm with a razor. He is in a very weak state, but his condition is not regarded as serious. It is supposed that depression of mind through monetary troubles was the reason for his act. Gavin Mclntyre Park, late Postmaster at Taupo, was committed for trial at Rotorua on a charge of having converted to his own use £442 of Government money.

At Napier iu the case of Henry Brooks, charged with stealing wool, the property of James Sidey, at Makatoka, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. At Hawera, the inquest on Hammond, tho jockey who was killed iu the Egmont Cup race, resulted in a verdict of accidental death. The evidence appeared to show that a bunch of horses got too close on to the rails. A Mrs Graham, residing at Cromwell Flat, Otago, drowned herself in the Molyucux river. She had been delirious through illness and managed to make her escape from the house. In the Wellington Magistrate’s Court David Shannon was charged with assaulting William Durham on the 29th January, and who has only just recovered sufficiently to give evidence. 11 urham could give but little idea of what had occurred, admitting that he was drunk at the time. He subsequently found himself iu the hospital. The parties had been drinking together at the Terminus Hotel. Shannon, who appeared to have a grudge against Durham, attacked him in thehoteland subsequently outside. The landlord of the hotel and the barmaid gave evidence to the effect that Shannon declared that he would be the death of Durham. After Durham left the hotel Shannon followed a few minutes later, and Durham was found iu an unconscious state with a wound on the right temple, contused and bleeding freely, the lobe of the right ear cut, and under the left eye there was a contused gaping wound. The medical evidence proved that a blunt instrument, a blow from a fiat, or a kick would produce the wounds. Blood was found on Shannon’s boots, aud he was arrested. Prisoner was committed for trial, A fire in Mr Stone’s, draper’s, shop at Cuba street, Wellington, damaged goods and building to the extent of £350. Some goods iu the window wore ignited by the gas.^ A woolshed at Maud Bay, Wellington, belonging to Mr Charles Collier, was burned down. The insurance is £3OO iu the South British and New Zealand offices. At the Magistrate’s Court, Christchurch, a fruiterer aud confectioner, who also sold pot plants and Maori kits, was charged with keeping his shop open on Thursday afternoon. Tho defence was that the articles to which exception was taken were not exposed for sale on the half-holiday. Mr Beetham ruled that as tho articles iu question were evidently part of defendant’s business, as he sold them throughout the week, and as he could not thus claim to bo carrying on exclusively a fruiterer’s or confectioner’s business, ho had no right to bo open on tho half-holiday. At Tiraaru on Saturday morning a cow belonging to Mr Latimer was found to have had tho brush of her tail cut off. Tho police think they have a clue to the perpetrator of this wantou piece of cruelty. At tho Supreme Court, Napier, a decree nisi was granted iu tho divorce case Fulbrook v. Fulbrook, husband’s petition. Tho case of Barrett v. Barrett, husband’s petition, was adjourned till next session. At North Loburn on Saturday evening a young man named Sidney Herbert Philpott, eldest son of Mr If. G. Philpott, while engaged erecting a windmill, fell off a ladder from a height of about 15ft, and was picked up in an unconscious condition. Ho died three hours afterwards, without regaining consciousness aud before medical aid could bo obtained. Ho had been subject to fits siuco July last, and it is supposed that ho was seized with one while on tho ladder. Alfred Coughlau, aged five years, died very suddenly at Dunedin on Monday, Ho had been in delicate health.