BRIEF ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 125, 24 February 1928, Page 10

BRIEF ITEMS

FROM FAR AND NEAR Harvester Drops Dead.—James Marsh, a widower, aged 50, dropped dead while harvesting on Air. G. Richardson’s farm at Anama, states a Press Association message from Ashburton. Death on Operating Table. —Mrs. Rhoda Rawlings, the wife of a railway employee at Te Kuiti, died on the operating table at the Waikato Hospital yesterday morning, states a Press Association message from Hamilton.

Youth Drowned in River.—ln the Waikato River at Huntly, states a Press Association message, Lawrence Riddle, aged 18, was seized with cramp, and disappeared while attenmpting to swim the river with a companion. Ho got into difficulties, and, despite his companion's efforts to save him, he sank. The body has not been recovered.

Coal for New Zealand Railways.—A Press Association message from Newcastle states that Euchunga has sailed for Auckland with the first consignment of an order for 37,000 tons of coal for the .New Zealand railways -from the Interstate Steamships Company.

Optometrists’ Conference. —The optometrists. in conference at Auckland, resolved that their next conference be held at Christchurch. Officers were elected as follows for the ensuing year:—President, Mr. H. S. Gilberd; vice-president, Mr. T. G. Young; executive committee, Messrs. Glackin, Sarjent, Sturiuer. Neill. Alartyn, Brooke-Taylor, Spean, AlcLean, Stouppe, Bennett.—Press Assn.

Champion Cyclist in Hospital.—F. Grose, the champion amateur cyclist, is still in the Christchuvrch Hospital as a result of the accident while he was training. It is stated that though his hip is fractured, he may be able to vide within four months. He is progressing favourably.—Press Assn.

Morals and Dancing.—The Alethodist Conference at Christchurch yesterday discussed the resolution passed on Monday in reference to dancing. Various speakers said that it had been misinterpreted. The conference was still opposed to mixed dancing, and warned its people against the "great moral and spiritual peril" attached to it. It was decided to write to the newspapers to this effect.—Press Assn.

Lancashire Cotton Dispute.—ln the Lancashire cotton dispute the employers have proposed a joint conference to consider what goes to make up the cost of the production of yarns and cloths, and to report in what direction costs may be reduced. The workers are consulting, but have already affirmed that there is no justification for reducing wages.— Press Assn. a

A Close Call.—Haslem Luff, a wagon driver, aged 24, of Havelock, had a remarkable escape from death on Wednesday evening. He was on a shooting expedition at Pelorus when a .303 rifle went off as he slipped. The bullet passed through the palm of his right hand, and. ploughed a furrow up the side of his neck and face, clipping a piece off his ear. —Press Assn.

Knocked Down by Car. —Late on Wedvesday night, en elderly woman, Airs. Scott, residing at 59 Adelaide Road, Wellington, was knocked down bv a motorcar at Palmerston North, and admitted to the local hospital, where she was found to be suffering from a fractured rib. It is understood that Airs. Scott was travelling from Wellington to Haw. eia, and had broken her journey at Palmerston North.—Special Service.

Completion of Harbour Works.—The Thames Harbour Board recently obtained authority to raise £6009 for the completion of the harbour works by means of debentvrw. were offered to debenture holders- of the original £60,000 loan, while an advertising campaign was in preparation. Tlie secretary yesterday received from an original debenture holder in Hawke’s Bay an offer to take the whole amount, and this has been accepted, saving the board the cost of advertising.—press Assn.

British Protection for Rabbits. —In the House of Commons a Government Bill to enable authorities to exterminate rabbits upon landowners’ complaints of the animals’ depredation was laughed out. Sir Charles Wilson (Con.), said that, though rabbits could not be produced out of hats, hats could be produced from rabbits. He knew of a Leeds firm which exported six million skins yearly to France for the production of hats and furs. He contended that the Bill would destroy a valuable industry. The Bill had previously passed the House of Lords.—Press Assn.

Drastic Action Against the Reds.— Drastic anti-Communist action was taken by the authorities at Kongmoon in consequence of revelations of a plot to effect a coup (states a Hongkong message). All Labour guilds were dissolved, premises raided and confiscated.. Everything was seized. Many arrests are reported, and executions. The leaders are fleeing to Hongkong.—A.P.A. and “Sun." Salvation Army Students. —On Wednesday night at the central Citadel in Vivian Street, at a crowded gathering presided over by Commissioner Hay, the head of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, 51 young people were received for the training session just commencing. The trainees came from all parts of the Dominion, the Lower Hutt Corps supplying the largest average. Commissioner Hay, Mrs. Hay, Colonel Knott, Lieut.-Colonel Gunn, and others extended a welcome to the trainees. Probation Granted.—William Bramhill and James Moores, who appeared for sentence in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday on three charges of theft from dwellings in the Happy Valley district, and George Albert Webb, who appeared for sentence on one charge of theft from a dwelling, also in that district, were each placed on probation for two years. Bramhill and Moores were ordered to make restitution of 16s. 3d. for damaging a padlock on a window of one of the houses they entered, while Webb was ordered to make ss. 6d. restitution for a similar offence. Mr. E. Page, S.M., said it was on account of the previous £Ood characters of accused and their s’outb, tbar he was prepared to give them another chance. Compensation Awarded.—ln the Supreme Court on Wednesday, before Mr. Justice Adams and a jury of twelve, a man whoso wife had admitted having committed adultery and who had left him, was awarded £4OO compensation against the co-respondent. Petitioner was Wilfred George Adams, of Christchurch, a pointer, the respondent Clara Cora Adams, and the co-re-spondent Henry Fisher, of Christchurch, a clerk. A decree nisi was granted, with the custody of the children to be made absolute after three months. — Press Assn. Increase in Price of Boots. —Following substantial advances in the price of leather, Auckland boot retailers are faced with the problem of meeting greatly increased costs, states a special service message. A wholesale representative of English firms stated that one of his firms had notified a rise of 3s. 4d. per pair on standard high-grade lines. By the time this increase has been added proportionately to the landing charges approximating -10 per (“ent-, warehousemen’s charges, and retailers’ expenses, the increased cost to the purchaser will not be less than 6s. Bd.

Thrilling Snort off Cape Brett.—Dr. J. Falkiner, of India, and Mr. C. Stewart, of Singapore, had an unusual experience on Wednesday when fishing off Cape Brett from a launch. They had just baited their respective lines, when it was found that the bait on both had been taken. After each angler had played his fish for some time, it was discovered that a blue shark bad taken both baits, and it was landed bv the anglers conjointly. Tlmse two sportsmen nl'o hooked a striped malin each at the same moment, but Mr. Stewart’s evaded capture. Dr. Falkiner landed his after 45 minutes’ play. It weighed 2641 b. —Special Service.