Sirty Years AGo

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21595, 5 March 1940, Page 4

Sirty Years AGo

“ The Timaru Herald ” March 5, 1880 Timaru Chess Club At a general meeting of the Timaru Chess Club it was decided that it would be Inadvisable to play the tournament for Mr Zlesler's cup before the wititer months. The competition will therefore probably not take place till early in June, so that there will be ample time for players to improve themselves. Mr Gordon was appointed handicapper. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the secretary of the Waimate Chess Club with a view to a match at an early date. Several members have lately joined the Club which is fast obtaining strength. Interest in the games has considerably increased since Mr Jacobsen's late visit. Hotel Loses Licence The Quarterly Licensing Court for the Temuka district was held yesterday before Mr F. Guinness (Resident Magistrate), chairman, and Messrs S. A. Barker and J. A. Gammack, commissioners. Mr Austin applied that the temporary transfer of the Caledonian Hotel, from Mr W. Bartlett to Mr Thomas Fenton should be confirmed. The police reported most unfavourably as regards the management of the hotel: that the class of servants was not satisfactory; that the hotel was the resort of drunken men; and that the present holder of the licence nad no authority in the place as he was only a servant of Mr Inness. The Court decided to take away the licence from the hotel, remarking that Mr Inness was the cause of such a step being taken. Mr Brosnahan was ordered to re-paint his hotel at the Orari before next licensing day. The reports upon the other hotels of the district were satisfactory. Bist' t Court—Rioters’ Trial The duty of the jury in the trial of the rioters following the Orange Lodge procession the previous Boxing Day. was concluded yesterday. Most of the morning sitting was taken up by the addresses of counsel and the summing up of His Honour Judge Ward, and a discussion respecting a point raised by Mr Stout. The jury was once recalled to receive a further direction from His Honour respecting the value of the now famous letter as evidence, and at 12.30 they returned a verdict uf acquittal in favour of three of the prisoners, finding the rest guilty, with the exception of ODriscoll whom they found not guilty of riot, but of being an accessory before the fact. The verdict being contradictory according to law. they were re-directed and shortly afterwards they returned a verdict of guilty against him. strongly recommending all the prisoners to mercy. The case is not yet out of the hands of the Court as Mr Stout intends to move this morning for a new trial, on the grounds of misdirection concerning the letter which forms the foundation of the case against O'Driscoll The Court was densely crowded until the verdict of the jury had been delivered in the riot case.