TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1918, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

PItESS association.—corYitionr.]

MILLER'S FLAT TRAGEDY. DUNEDIN, Oct. 23

The inquest on George Buckley, who committed suicide after attempting to murder his wife, Mary Rackley, was opened at Miller’s Flat and after formal evidence was adjourned. The police report shows the couple didn’t get on well together and deceased who was in illhealth, left Ormagladc station with the intention of going to Lawrence hospital and then to Dunedin, where he intended to live with relatives. He returned to Ormaglae a fortnight after and entered the cookhouse where his wife was a lone. She remarked—“So you’ve returned. He replied “Yes, and I’ll do for you now.” He lifted a meat chopper and attacked his wife inflicting severe injuries before she escaped. Rackley went out and threw himself in tile creek but changed his mind about drowning, and lay down and fatally cut his throat. His wife is progressing favourably. A SUDDEN DEATH. DUNEDIN, This Day. Hazel May Vivian, aged 13, who died unexpectedly yesterday had had her teeth extracted the previous day under an anaesthetic, and afterwards complained of feeling ill and died about 24 hours subsequent to the operation.

JOURNALISTS TO VISIT. WELLINGTON, October 23. Mr Massey and -Sir Joseph Ward were entertained at luncheon by the New Zealand Club to-day. Mr Massey, speaking of the need of more publicity of the Dominion among the people of the Old Country, said lie had invited Lord Burnham to arrange for a delegation of British pressmen to these islands. On behalf of tile British Prenr Lorn Burnham has accepted the invitation on the understanding that- the journey would he made after the war.

CHURCH UNTON CONFERENCE

WELLINGTON, This Day. A meeting of 120 Ministers and officebearers of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches was held last night-. They conferred informally on the movement for the union of the three churches mentioned. It was stated that this union is now well on the way to accomplishment. Already a majority of the Presbyterian governing bodies have adopted overtures favotuing the Union and which will be, discussed at the General Assembly in Christchurch next month.

'Rev. Dr Gibb presided last night, and advanced arguments in favour of the proposal for the union. While he was convinced the churches must- unite, he counselled caution so that each step to the goal he assuredly on a firm footing. Resolutions by the Assemblies’ Conferences might accomplish much. Missions to open schools and orphanges could do many other things, but the union could only come if the people desired it. The present task was to. react! the minds of the congregations and instruct and inspire them with the great ideal. In a discussion which followed, Hon. J. W r . Aitken (Moderator of the General Assembly) strongly supported the proposal. Finally a motion was adopted approving of the proposed union, and affirming that the time bad come to take active steps for the consummation of that ideal.