LOCAL AND GENERAL

Evening Star, Issue 19797, 22 February 1928, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A Press Association telegram from Hokitika states that Richard Cresswick Woolhouse, a settler at Evans Creek, in South Westland, a married man, with three children, has been missing since Sunday morning. He left Ross on horseback for Hokitika by way of the beach. The horse was found drowned in the Totara lagoon on Monday afternoon. A search is proceeding. The Supreme Court sittings were opened at Napier yesterday morning. There are only four criminal charges. Mr Justice Ostler congratulated the district on the absence of serious crime. Horace Maddaford, for defalcation, was sentenced to two years’ reformative detention. The Supreme Court opened its sitting als oat New Plymouth. The Chief Justice (Sir Charles Skerrett) presided. Gilbert Henry Death, who pleaded guilty to forging and uttering at Hawera, was admitted to two years’ probation, and was ordered to pay tho costs of the prosecution.

Bush and scrub fires which started at the Pnkeloi ranges spread to the Ma-knri-Coonoor district, and swept over a wide stretch of country. Loss of stock is reported to have been 'suffered by Messrs D. McCarthy and Hansen Brothers. The Maknri scenic reserve was also swept by fire', and also Hansen’s plantation. The flames also went over n portion of the properties-of Messrs Ryan, H. Villon. B. K. Robertson, and T. Russell. There were some very narrow escapes of dwellings and farm buildings. Mr T. Ross, of Coonoor. had a fire-fighting party out all night round his wool shed until it was saved. A Press Association telegram from Palmerston North reports that the Ayrshire Cattle Breeders’ Council yesterday awarded the 192 S South Island championship to the Dunedin show, and tho North Island championship to the Hamilton show.