NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1359, 9 February 1912, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

tDy Telegraph—Press ASBo.llatlon.l

HIS TIE AND THE DRINK. Christchurch, February 8. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, Robert William Joseph Difl'en, a young man, was charged on remand with attempting to commit; suicide at Riccarton on Janunry 30 by strangling himself with a tio. 110 had previously pleaded guilty. Ho was convicted and discharged, having been seven days in gaol already. The Magistrate remarked thnt tlio trouble was caused by drink, and he hoped that tho case would bo a warning to accused. CATHEDRAL SQUARE SMASH' Christchurch, February 8. A sequel to tho Cathedral Square motor*) car fatality took place this afternoon at the Magist rate's Court, before Mr. T.'A. Bailey, S.M., when Reginald Blundcn was charged that, at Christchurch, on January VJ, ho unlawfully caused tho death of Thomas Ryan, and thereby committed tho crime- of manslaughter. Accused pleaded not guilty, and reserved bis defence, Ho was committed for trial, bail being allowed in JilOO. SURF BATHING FATALITY. Gisborne, February 8. Ernest Vernon Sweet, a storeman, aged 35, and a. single man, was drowned this afternoon. The deceased was lathing off the Waikanao Beach at lr.w tide, and got out beyond tlio breakers, when a strong' undertow carried him cat of his depth. A boy named Douglas Meiizics, noticing his predicament, swam out and got hold of Sweet, but owing to tho heavy sea when bringing him in, had to leave go, and Sweet disappeared and was never seen again. Tho body, has not boon recovered. A GLUT IN FRUIT. Auckland, tfebmirv 8 It is a surprising fact that in spite of tho hot weather there is not a brisk demand for fruit in Auckland., Ntctarines are offered for sale at from K+ to 30 for a shilling, and yet they are difficult to sell. Plums have glutted tho market and arcbeing offered at as low a price us 4lb. for Cd. Peaches are being offered at the same rato as nectarines, but the is not strong. Apples are r'Tchasable at ss. a case, and good tomatoes wire yesterday being offered at 3d. per lb., but an improvement in price ib expected for these. ILLEGAL BETTING. Auckland, February 8. At the Police Court to-day, Mr. Cutton gavo his reserved judgment in the cases of James Ernest M'Carthy and Joseph Brown, who were charged with betting at Ellcrslie on January 1 in tho view of persons frequenting the racecourse. Both, were convicted and fined .£2O each. BODY FOUND IN A RIVER. Auckland, February 8. News has been received at Huntly to tho effect that the body of a man'was found in the river at Foster's Island. Tlio identity of the deceased is at present unknown. Tho police are investigating the ' matter. HEAVY OVERSEAS BOOKINGS. Auckland, February 8. There has been a very heavy demand for accommodation on steamers leaving for England during the next few weeks. All accommodation on the P. and 0., Orient, and Norddcutscher-Lloyd boats leaving up to tho end of March has been taken up, mid a considerable number of passengers have also booked, by tho direct steamers. A LUNATIC AT LARGE, Auckland, February S. An inmate escaped from tho mental hospital about i o'clock yesterday aftornoon. Ho walked through Mount "Roskill, Onehunga, Mnngere, Otabuhu, and Ellcrslie, but was found at 1 o'clock this morning by tho police at Newmarket, and was taken back to the institution. AMY BOCK RELEASED. New Plymouth, February 8. Amy Bock, who gained considerable, notoriety three years ago by "marrying"" a young lady at the Nuggets, has" been released from New Plymouth prison. Her sentence was two years' imprisonment followed by reformative treatment. FATAL FINISH TO BOWLS. I nvercargill, February 8. Mr. Joseph C. Howie, a well-known contractor, died suddenly last night. Hti played bowls throughout tho afternoon, and, after an exciting finish in a four, rink championship, mounted his bicycle and left for home. On the way ho dropped from the machine and expired from heart failure. Ho leaves a widow and a, grown-up family. NURSE RUN OYER. Napier, February 8. Nurse Sullivan, whilst cycling, collided with a lorry, one wheel going right over her jaw anil inflicting shocking injuries. ' Sho was removed to the hospital in an ambulance. THE INCREASED FREIGHTS. Eltham, February 8. Tho Eltham Retailers' Association resolved to protest against increased freights being charged by tho shipping companies trading to Patea. It is 6tated that the increases in some cases arc equal to 50 per cent., and aro quito out of proportion to tho increased cost of handling cargo. , SLOOP AMOKURA. Auckland, February 8. The Government training ship Amoknra arrived this morning, after having visited tho supply depots at L'Esperanco Rock, Curtis 7sland, Macaulay Island, and Sunday Island. The depots wero in good condition. SWAMP FLAX HANDS. Palmerston, February S. At a meeting of the Manawatu Flaxmillers' Association to-day tho resolution carried at tho half-yearly meeting of the Employees' Onion regarding tho. complaints of the swamp hands wero considered, and it was decided to inform the union that' » general meeting of millers would bo held at Eoxton on Monday next. The decision then arrived at would bo conveyed to tho union later. PALMERSTON SESSIONS. Palmerston, Februarv 8. At the Supreme Court to-day George William Gibbes obtained a decree nisi to be mndo absolute in three- mouths against Eva E. Gibbes, respondent, ■ and O. A. Thompson, co-respondent, on grounds of misconduct. Decrees nisi were also granted in the divorce cases—George James Kew versus lltimiu. Mary Laura Kew, on the ground of misconduct with William Nielsen; Isabella O. M'Phun against David Alexander M'Phun, on tho ground of desertion. Neither of the two laller cases were defended. A CHILD'S DEATH. Auckland, February S. An inquest was held to-day concerning the death of Robert Ellis Cuthbortson, aged 20' months, who died from scalds on Wednesday night. The evidence showed that the child was playing with a paperbag, lie put the bag on his head, and it slipped over his eyes, and then, being practically blindfolded, ho ran into tho stovo and" pulled it saucepan of boiling water over himself. A verdict of death by misadventure was returned. DEATH FROM HEART FAILURE. Auckland, February 8. At an inquest on tho body of Michael Flood, aged GO years, who dropped dead in a registry ollicc on Tuesday, Dr. De Clivo Lowe, who performed the postmortem, said death was due to a rupture of the heart. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned, FIRE AT PUHA. Gisborne, February 8, The Puha bonrdinghou«>, of eight, rooms, was destroyed by fire this morning. Tl» amount of the insurances is not yet obtainable.