DOMINION NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2703, 6 January 1910, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

AN HONEST MAN.

f Per Press Ahhooiatiwn.'l AUCKLAND, Jan. 5

A number of Auckland merchants received a pleasant surprise in the way of a New Year’s gift from A. B. Donald, principal in the firm of Donald and Edenbo rough, ship chandlers. Some years ago during a period of financial stress, the firm made a composition with their creditors. Mr Donald now informs those creditors who accepted the composition that they -will receive a full settlement of the balance, and he sends several thousand pounds for that reason. AN APPEAL DISMISSED. Judgment has been delivered by Mr Justice Edwards in a case in which the Ford Shipping Company appealed against the decision of Mr Kettle, S.M. in the case of appellants against the superintendent of mercantile marine, arising out of tli© provision in the Shipping and Seamen’s Act that when a seaman on a home or intercolonial trade ship is left ashore by reason of accident or sickness the master shall deposit the wages due and sufficient to cover the cost of maintenance and attendance in a public hospital. In this case the injured seaman went to a private hospital. Appellants therefore claimed a refund of the deposit with the exception of wages.due. Judge Edwards said the appellants contended that no seaman could benefit b~ tlie statute unless lie became an inmate of a public hospital. The context really turned on whether any deduction could be made under the heading “medical and living expenses.” He held this was fatal to tlie appellants, who knew the superintendent intended to hold them liable for medical and living expenses, and he added that the clause was so ilMvorded that the Marine Department should obtain a conclusive adjudication from the Court of Appeal. He dismissed the appeil. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY. HAMILTON, Jan. 5. For selling liquor to natives of Kawa. King Country, in February last. John Oliver was fined the maximum r o> city £SO or three months’ imprisonment. TOO MANY BREAKAGES. WELLINGTON, Jan. 5. The post office authorities are not satisfied with the motor cars, which have been in use some time, as breakdowns are too frequent. The secretary has recommended that further experimenting be discontinued and the cars disposed of.

WESTPORT’S NEW DREDGE

WESTPORT, Jan. 5

The "Westport Harbor Board’s new 1000-ton dredge, the Eileen Ward, sailed from Scotland on Monday for New Zealand.

STEALING BICYCLES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 5. The flatness of Christchurch and most of Canterbury suits the cyclists excellently, and about 30,000 of these machines are in daily use. The City police records show that during ISO 9 upwards of 400 bicycles were reported “stolen” in Christchurch alone. The machines ranged in value from £5 to £25, and taking the average value at £lO, this means that £4OOO worth of bicycle s were misappropriated. The proportion of convictions for theft to the number of bicycles reported, to bo stolen has been very small, owing to the fact that a- person who steals a bicycle in Christchurch rarely retains it in his possession for more than a very brief period, preferring to leave it somewhere in the streets, or in a paddock, rather than run the risk of criminal prosecution. Thus more than half the stolen bicycles have been returned to their owners sometimes within a few days of the theft, and sometimes not for a considerable time.