AN ISLAND QUARREL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12551, 14 July 1905, Page 5

AN ISLAND QUARREL.

BETWEEN A GUN RUNNER AND A RESIDENT COMMISSIONER.

United Press Association—Copyright. Received July 13, 8.41 a.m. SYDNEY, July 13. On an application for habeas corpus, the Court ordered the release of Hazelton, a Solomon Island trader and ex-assistant Commissioner, who was arrested a few days ago at the instance of Mr. Oliphant, actingrßesident C»mmissionei' at tho Solomons.

Oliphant's affidavits set out that he had received information that Hazelton 'was'"'trafficking in arms at the Solomons. He' issued a search warrant, and after a search it was discovered that amis were aboard a schooner and Hazoltqn was' running them. He issued a summons against Hazelton, and visited his schooner to obtain certain data, when Hazelton threatened that he Would be thrown overboard if he came aboard without showing his authority, and catching Oliphant"s arm, which was resting on the gunwale, he shoved him back itno hia boat.

Oliphant. then issued a warrant for the arrest of Hazelton, who was charged with laying hands on, threatening openly, and insulting his Britannic Majesty's Acting-Resident Commissioner of the Solomon Protectorate, and Deputy-Commissioner of the Western Pacific.

Oliphant, in his capacity as Magis-. trate, tried the case himself, and sentenced Hazelton to pay a fine of £10, in default thr«e months' imprisonment at Fiji, directing him also to pay his own expenses for removal J;o Fiji. Both came from the Solomons* in the same steamer, and on reaching the Brisbane River Oliphant issued a new warrant for tho detention of Hazelton, who, on arrival of the steamer at Sydeny^ was placed in the lock-up on the strength of the Brisbane warrant, pending hia removal to Fiji. Mr. Justice Cohen ordered Hazelton's release, on the ground that Oliphant, in issuing the Brisbane warrant, acted outside territory wherein he had jurisdiction.