WEEK-END CABLES

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2440, 11 May 1925, Page 5

WEEK-END CABLES

By Telegraph. —Press Assn. —Copyright

A Recount Result. A Wellington message says that in the recount of the Municipal Poll Mr Robert Semple (Labour) gained 787 votes, which moved him up three places, gain ,ng him a seat and displacing Mr Forsyth, who was originally a candidate for the Mayoralty, but 'who after some discussion stood down in favour of Mr C. J. B. Norwood, the latter beating the Labour nominee (Mr Chapman) for the Mayoralty, The result created a in.ld sensation. The returning officer explains that many results on. ellcction night came through on the ’phonal, and owing to the noise mistakes were inevitable. Labour now has three on the council. P.O. Bank Savings. A Wellington message says that the Postmaster-General (the Hon, J. G. Coates) announces that the. Post Office Savings Bank figures for April indicate a continuance of the buoyancy experienced during the last few months the excess of depos its over withdrawals for the. month being £.118,000. The* excess of deposits over ■withdrawals for the first four months of this year was more than £500,000, as compared with £169,500 for the corresponding four months of last year. The recovery is all the more remarkable and the position all the more satisfactory in view of the fact that the Statistical Abstract shows that the excess of withdrawals over deposits last year was £830,000.

Bookmaking Charges,

An Auckland message says that the jury, after four hours’ retirement ffor night, failed to agree ‘n the Supreme Court trial of Georgci Francis Shaw for alleged bookmaking at Whangarei. The Crown Prosecutor said the allegation against the accused was that while, at Whangarei he was observed by a police, officer frequenting a hotel frequently, with groups of men around him. He had also been about the streets w’tli other men and on certain race days was observed to be. particularly bxsy. On February 7th the accused was approached by Constable Beasley, who said to him: “Arc you doing anything on the- Te Kuiti races?’ Accused answered: “Yes, and also, on Gisborne.” Those words., submitted counsel, were an indication that the accused was a bookmaker and by volunteering something on the Gisborne races he was holding himself out as ready to make bets. Th&c onstablc made one bet with the accused and gave a £5 note, for which he received £4 change. Th? accused said: “There arc no police about, are there?” Later the police constable obtained a warrant and arrest?! tho accused, finding in his possession £49 Ils, The judge, in summing up, said a case of his kind was one of some considerable' importance. The law had recently been altered so that a man carrying on the business of a bookmaker might be brought before the court i nd punished if the only evidence against the man was that of an accompl ce. It was the duty of the bench to zarn the jury that it was unsafe to convict on such evidence;, but the principal evidence in these cases was that of men who had bets with the accused person. There had been records of a number of bets and finally there was that of a police officer. That was the strongest corroboration. The jury also failed t* agree in anothe.r bookmaking charge against Dalmatian in connection with the Matakehc races.

' ( -The Second Wembley, A London cable says that Australia’s is aga in, one of the most forward pavilions at Wembley,. An official party, Sir Joseph Cook and the Agents General, were to-day delighted at the readiness for the opening on Saturday, also at the changes s.nce last year. Three of the most outstanding popular features promise; to be—Firstly, a test scene modelled in butter, with lifelike figures of Hobbs batting, Collins and Ryder fielding and Oldfield crouching at the wickets. Secondly: A panoramic model of Sydney harbour, which is unrivalled in any pavilion. Every notable build ng is recognisable. There arc ferry boats and ocean go .mg boats moving across the foreground and the glint of sunset is reflected in the windows of houses in the distance. Th.rclly: A working illustration of the woollen industry, on which Paton, Baldwins, Limited, expended £7OOO in installing spec ial spinning machines. New Zealand’s display is also markedly better, notably. a diorama with geysers, .mud springs and hot baths in operation, de-

lightful vignettes and scenes among the mountains and sounds, and a miniature bush and waterfall scene. Motionless models of harbours are also very effective New Zealand, like Austral.a, has a striking display of butter and meat in refrigerated chambers. Canada and South Africa have again the most expensive and showy display of the whole exhibition, but it does not possess the naturalness of the other dominions’ exhibits.