Dominion News.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3943, 23 November 1908, Page 2

Dominion News.

By Telegraph.—Press Association Wellington, Saturday.

Yesterday afternoon a prisoner at Terrace gaol, named Norman, who had been employed at cabinetmaking, suddenly attacked Mr Armstrong, governor of the gaol, with a chisel, and inflicted serious injury on his neck, just missing the jugular vein. Norman then made a dash for liberty, but was recaptured. He will be charged in court on Monday. He is at present serving a sentence for indecent assault on a boy. Mr Armstrong this afternoon was in a low condition.

An interesting point of law in reference to an indeterminate sentence imposed under the Habitual Criminal Act was brought up in an application before Mr Justice Cooper today. It seems that a man named William Jenkinson Sparrow, in November 190G, was tried on a charge of theft. Sparrow was convicted and sentenced to two years. After the date of the offence, but before the date of the trial, the Habitual Criminal Offences Act came into force. Against Sparrow there was the requisite number of previous convictions, ar.d he was declared to be an habitual criminal. His sentence of two years having now expired, an application was made for a rule nisi to show cause why a writ of habeas corpus should not be issued to discharge Sparrow from custody. His Honor granted a rule nisi, and argument will be heard on the 30th inst.

Napier, Saturday

The Anglican Synod passed a resor lution earnestly recommending the Standing Committee to arrange a thorough canvass, with a view to bringing all stipends to a minimum of £250 per annum. Canon Eccles said itjwas high time the Synod took into proper consideration the payment of a living wage to clergymen. It was a disgrace that in this diocese some of the clergymen could not live in decency.

Christchurch, Saturday

In the Magistrate's Court this morning the Hon. James Barr, M.L.C., was charged with having used abusive language at one of Mr Thacker's political meetings at Sumner by calling Mr James Wilson, who was employed to collect questions,

"a dirty, low down cur," and "a traitor." Defendant was convicted and fined -10s and costs.

The rainfall for the year in Christchurch to date is 21.G7 inches and for the month, 6.29. No rain of any consequence has fallen since November 6, when there was a alight shower. There have been several swelteringly hot days in succession, and the gardeners wish for a few davs of wet weather.

Dargarville, Saturday

Another lire alarm rang out at Dargarvilleat S o'clock last evening, and the circumstances of the lire, following upon the disastrous one of Sunday, are causing much uneasiness. Last night's fire was fortunately discovered in an incipient stage in the lavatory of the ladies' waiting room of the Dargarville railway station. Persons happening to pass at the time of the outbreak, it was discovered that a book of consignment notes, saturated with kerosene, had been placed on the lloor. The tire was extinguished before the book had burned through. This morning several loose consignment notes and an eight ounce medicine bottle, with a few drops of kerosene left in it, were found in the grass near the railway station. The matter is in the hands of the police. Had the tire occurred later in the night, the station and railway carriages alongside would have been destroyed. Blenheim, Saturday.

At the races yesterday, the stewards disqualified a horse and owner on the ground that the latter had interfered with the hurdles. A bookmaker had his license cancelled and was ordered off the course for refusing to pay out to the holder of a ticket on Vinco. Palmerston North, Saturday. Benjamin Smith, one of the spieling fraternity, was fined £5 and costs, or in default 7 days' imprisonment, for playing the three card trick in a train between Wanganui and Palmerston. Accused described himself as a shearer. Dunedin, Saturday. Asher Westcott, a member of the Highland Rifles, was lined 20s and costs today for discharging his rifle containing a blank cartridge through the window of a boarding house where he resided, on the night of King's Birthday. Counsel for the defence pleaded that his client had taken rather much drink. The Magistrate said some people were under the impression that they could do anything they chose on certain occasions, and must be taught (liferent. Wellington This Day. An earthquake shock, lasting 17 seconds, occurred yesterday morning, and startled the residents somewhat by its force, though no damage was done. Hull, This Day. Thomas Wallace, employed lately by the Miramar Corporation, was found drowned in the harbour yesterday. He was seen on Saturday night under the influence of liquor, and a bottle of whisky was found in his pocket.