TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1918, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] SERIOUS SHOOTING AFFAIR. THE ASSAILANT ARRESTED. i WAT.MATE, March 8 A young man named Mason Boko was brought to the \Yaimate hospital to-day with a bullet in bis head. He stated to the police that ho had been drinking with Charles Boyes at the latter’s house. seven miles from here.

Dr Pitts operated on thfi Maori and the bullet was traced from a cheek wound at the edge ol the mouth through to the hack of the neck; but is not yet extracted. The patient’s condition is serious.

The, Maori's version is that lie and Boves were drinking and playing cards. At 11 o’clock he said lie was going home, Boyes turned nasty, and lot of) a revolver at him. Boyes’ own story is . that he was showing the Maori what we would do to the police next time he met • them, and the revolver was accidentally discharged. ('A BIXF.T DTFI-’I'CUT.TV SETTLED. WELLINGTON, March 8. The Prime Minister stated to-night after a meeting of the Cabinet that the little difficulty existing in the Cabinet for some time had been amicably settled; but he refused to state the nature of the difficulty. FREE M.EDTCAL TREATMENT FOR SOLDIER’S WIVES. ! WELLINGTON, March Bth. Hon. G. AV. Russell stated to-day that it had been under consideration for some, time whether free hospital treatment should be given to wives of soldiers on active service. He styil it had been the rule for some time to allow, soldiers’ wives free admission to State Maternity Homes, and in concessions granted to wives of soldiers by the Financial Assistance Board provision is made for assistance in case of serious surgical operations being required. Cabinet has now approved of the proposal that under proper safeguards of which due notice will be given by the Minister for Hospitals to the various hospital boards, wives of soldiers on active service may be treated free in public hospitals.

THE CAUSE OF AN EXPLOSION

AVELLTNGTON March. 8

Evidence taken by the Alanine Department at an inquiry into the cause rjfi the explosion of benzine fumes aboard the Huia recently, showed that there had been smoking on the vessel the explosion resulting from fumes contracting with a lighted pipe, cigarette, or match. The Harbour 'Board bylaws prohibit smoking on vessels laden with dangerous goods