VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1921, Page 3

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] INFANTILE PARALYSIS. TWENTY CASES AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 27. The official report on infantile paralysis in Christchurch to-day is' that the disease has a tendency to increase here. The chairman of the Hospital Board stated yesterday that there were 16 cases in Christchurch Hospital. Dr Telford reported at noon to-day that there were 20 cases in the Hospital then, and that there are, more to go in. The patients in the hospital are isolated and precautions are taken against tile spread of infection. The Health Department has given instructions that all cases of the disease must be notified in order that infection may be prevented in the homes. A MOTORIST KILLED. BY PETROL EXPLOSION, WELLINGTON, Jan. 27. I To-day Mr A. Robinson, stationholder at Happy Valley, near Wellington, was walking along the road to the city when he came across a dead body on the track, lying beside a wrecked motor car. The face was almost unrecognisable and the head was hadlv mutilated. From the position of the body and the appearance of the car, it is surmised that the dead man was examining his tank to see how much petrol was in it when it exploded and almost blew the man’s head off. The police conveyed the body to Wellington, when it was ascertained that- the deceased’s name was Frederick Hulse, of 131 Korunini Road, Hataitai. The late Mr Fred Hulse was a building contractor, and was 18 years of age. He left, besides his widow, Mrs Evelvn Hulse. a son 18 years of age,

and a daughter aged seven. Other relations are Richard Hulse (brother), Wellington, and Harry Hulse (brother). Cambridge. The son is a. cadet in the Public Works Department, Whangarei. Richard Hulse identified the body as that of his brother. It is presumed that deceased had run out on a business trip through Happy Valley in his car to look at some houses out in that direction. It is not definitely known what he was doing when the accident occurred; no other person was in the car with him, and nobody was present at the time. It would appear, however, that his supply of petrol ran out, and deceased moved the car to the side of the road in inspect it, and it was while he was thus engaged that the fatal explosion

took place. Burnt matches were found ! under the car, and it is supposed that I the explosion was due to his lighting a match to see whether any petrol was left in the tank. RAM FAIR HASTINGS, Jan. 27. The annual Ram Fair opened this morning in fine weather. The first day was devoted to Romney flocks, and though the entries were smaller than last year the average quality was better. Bidding was brisk from the start and prices on the whole were satisfactory. Only a few lines were passed in. The figures reached for finer wools were good. The highest price was 17 guineas for shearlings, bred by Mr ( ollisoii, of Lojigburn, and another Jino of shearlings, bred by Mr Akers of Linton.

DOMINION CENSUS

WELLINGTON, Jan, 27

Bv a proclamation gazetted to-day it is announced that the census, due this year of the number and conditions of persons, live stock, land, cultivation etc., of New Zealand, is to ho taken <m Mo'nday, April 18.

BRIDGE MATERIAL

KAIKOUKA, dan 2(5. An important change in the system of purchasing material for use by the Public. Works Department, was announced by the Hon J, 0. Coates at Kaikoura to-day. The Minister said that throughout New Zealand thousands of bridges which required hardwood had been held up simply because the Department could not get supplies. Orders placed as far back as 191/ had not been filled and were not likely to be tilled. Contractors lmd not been able to send cargoes forward from Australia, and the Government had to put with odds and ends. Even the Commonwealth Forestry Department bad been unable to send them supplies. W hen the chief engineer realised the position a man was sent to Australia to make arrangements for the purchase of timber for works of urgency. There weio. indications that this system would lead to improvement in the timber supply position. The placing of a vote on the Estimates for a bridge was not a subterfuge. Delays had been due to excessive cost, as well as to shortage ol material. It was satisfactory to note that tremendous reductions were taking place in cement, steel, paint and oils. That made the work ahead possible. Up to the. present it had been a question of whether the Government was justified in buying at a high cost. Whero necessary, material had been pur chased, and where possible the purchase had been deferred in the interests of the country.

THE RAZOR AFFRAY

HI TO MENS SU R R ENDERS. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 28. Richard Hitchens, whom the police have been seeking for some days in connection with the attack on Raymond Rapley, now' in a serious condition in hospital, suffering from a wound inflicted by a razor, gave himself up at the police station this morning. Later be appeared at the Magistrate’s Court charged with attempting grievous bodily harm to Raymond by wounding him at Addington on Jan. 24th. At the police’s request the case was adjourned till February 4th.