TELEGRAMS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1920, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

(PEll riIESS ASSOCIATION.- COrYHIGHT.]

THE OTAKI TRAGEDY

LEVIN, May 24 j No new light was thrown on the Otaki tragedy, at the inquest. The Coroner’s'verdict died as the result of being stabbed by her father, Thomas 1 aioFnll, who met his death by nis own , hand after fatally stabbing his daughter. The evidence of members of the family was that tho father seemed in his usual spirits on the night of iha tragedy, and they knew no reason for the act. OTAKI TRAGEDY INQUEST WELLINGTON, May 25. At the inquest at Otaki, Mrs Wylie, daughter of MeFall, said she did not know of anything to account for her father attacking her sister Olive. He was a temperate man, and did not display any ill-temper that day. He was not excitable and was quiet in the house. Olive was 17} years old, and a good living gin, on good terms with her father. While sitting in the kitchen that evening Me.Fall had asked Olivo what she was writing about, and Olive replied sho had not written, anything out of place. Witness did not know what she meant. Later on, the same witness said she knew of no reasons for the act. Her father had never threatened any of tho family. His suicide was a mystery, nor did she know why he should harm Olive. The letter referred to may have irritated him, but she did not know its contents. There was no other evidence to account for McFall’s action and in his case simply a verdict of suicide was returned.

SUPREME COURT. TIMARU, May 25. Tlie . Supreme Court opened before Judge Sim. Alexander Charles McKen. zie, for theft of £73, and forging and uttering a savings hank withdrawal slip for £4O was sentenced to five years reformative treatment. At the Supreme Court Albert Charles Thomas Lamp ,charged with breaking prison at Timaru, the proceedings were discontinued, the Judge ruling the Court had no jurisdiction 'as Lamb had been acquitted on the charge, when awaiting trial. PONSONBY MURDER TRIAL. AUCKLAND, May 25. The trial of Dennis Gunn was continued. David Hyaniason, a locksmith, examined the lock of the strongroom at Ponsonby Post Office after the tragedy. The lock had been opened with a Yale key.

Oiven Hughes gave evidence that lie had seen accused in the vicinity of Ponsonby Post Office at 2,30 and 3 p.m. on the day of the* murder and on the sec ond occasion accused was in company with a man whom witness had since identified las Charles Gunn., Witness event home, returning about 4 p.m. and in the same loeailty, saw-,them again there about 5.30. About 6.45 he saw the accused along standing about the corner.

COAL MINERS. ' AUCKLAND, May 21

The frequency of stop-work meetings at the coal mines, which has a serious effect on the output of coal, is not showing any signs of abatement. Tl . latest instance occurred at the Kotowarn mine, which was rendered idle owing to the miners holding a meeting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. While this meeting was in progress, the truckers left the mine, and when the miners returned they were unable to resume. The stoppage meant a loss of a day’s output of 350 tons of coal.

DIVORCE AND DAMAGES WELLINGTON, May 20.

In the Divorce Court to-day, H. J. O’Halloran, farmer and land agent, Woodville, was granted a decree nisi on account of his wife’s misconduct with Frank Albert Loft. Petitioner claimed £2OOO damages. The jury awarded £SOO.

BOOKMAKER FINED. ' DANNEVIRKE, May 20. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day Mr S. L. Free, S.M., delivered bis reserved judgment in the case in which Wm. Lindergreen, hairdresser, of Dannevirke, was charged with hookmaking at the last Dannevirke rices, also with unlawfully trespassing on the Club’s course on the same occasion. Defendant was convicted on both charges, and fined £IOO on the first and £2O on the second, with costs. A WARNING. WELLINGTON, May 25. The Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Office has received the following from the Supcrinteandent in charge of Awanui radio wireless station, the following from Garden Island NavigationWarning to ail ships. The master of S.S. Dnndula reports having sighted an object, apparently a, floating mine at 11.45 to-day, (Monday). Position apprixomately latitude thirty-six point sixteen, south longitude 150 point thirtythree east.