TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1921, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

.VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

FIR-E IN WAIHI MINE. WAIHI, May 9. An outbreak of fire was discovered at twelve o’clock last night, at number twelve level in Waihi mine. The horses were removed to a point of safety. By daylight the fire was extinguished. The fire orignated in a crib cuddy. Evidently the last shift, knocking off on Saturday at noon, left a candle lighted in the cuddy, which ignited the timber. The fire smouldered for twenty four hours, when it broke into flames. The I damage was most serious. Owing to the fumes, underground work with the exception of one section, has been suspended. Operations are likely to be resumed to-morrow. i AN OCEAN RACE. I AUCKLAND, May 9. The Maheno left Sydney at 11.50 on Thursday morning. The Makura left 10 minutes later. The Makura. kept the Maheno in sight till Saturday, and with the help of an extra boiler overtook the Maheno and arrived in Auckland at 6.30 a.m. to-day thirty minutes ahead. W." WIIITTA’S SENTENCE. SIX MONTHS’ HARD. ! CHRISTCHURCH, May 9 William Whitta, convicted of carrying on business as a bookmaker at Christchurch was sentenced by Justice Herdman to six months hard labour. Sensational Burglary. ’ TWO MEN CAUGHT. , AFTER SHOOTING AT CONSTABLES A LIVELY ARREST. t [by telegraph—per press association]

WANGANUI, May 9. A burglary sensation occurred last evening at Thompson’s grocery shop, Victoria Avenue, resulting in the arrest of two men found on the premises, after a number of shots were fired by the burglars at the police, from revolvers. It appears that being informed that the backdoor of the shop was open, Thompson communicated with the police/ and Constable Roger Wilson and O’Donoghuc accompanied hv Thompson and the latter’s brother, visited the shop at seven o’clock. 1 Constable O’Donogbue was posted at the back, Thompson and Constable Wilson entering from the door. Wilson flashed an electric torch, and two men were seen .standing behind the counter, each with a revolver. “Hands up, oil’ll shoot,” said one. Con. Wilson immediately switched the light off and ducked behind the weighing scales. Thompson sought cover behind a cash register. The burglars dashed for the,hack door, Wilson in pursuit. At the back door, one burglar, Allen, when confronted by O’Donoghue, exclaimed, “ I’ll shoot.” O’Donoghue, undaunted went straight at liis man, who fired three shots, luckily without hitting O’Donoghue. Allen broke away from his clutch, and raced to the front of the shop and dived headlong through the glass panel of the door, into the street, where lie was seized by Thompson’s brother. He fired another shot, hut was quickly overpoweerd with O’Donoghue’s aid. In the meantime the other burglar, . Donovan, found his exit from the shop impeded by falling cases, but with levelled revolvers lie warned Constable Wil- ; son to stand off. | Ti e Constable dived at tlie man, who i fired, the bullet grazing Wilson’s finger j and going through tlie flap of his coat, i within a couple of inches of his heart. | Wilson grabbed Donovan and threw ! him, and the latter gave in, saying: j “_AU right, I’ll go.” Both men were taken to the police ! station. I

An investigation showed that £C> in stamps and some silver was taken from the cash register. Efforts were also made to force the safe. A pair of gloves were also found. Accused were staying at an hotel under the names of Ross and Gilmour. When arrested they gave the names of Donovan and Bell. A" search of their

belongings disclosed hunches of keys, chisel, rope, screw-driver, skeleton-key, and electric torch. Donovan’s private effects included a military discharge, and war service meals. The revolvers were seven chambered each, and had been fullv loaded.

PIUSONERS REMANDED. WANGANUI, May 9

As a sequel to yestereve’s sensation Robert Gilmour Allen and Edward Donovan were charged at Court this morning with lyeaking, entering and theft and attempting to murder Constables O’Donoghue and Wilson and John Alexander Thomson. A remand was granted until next Monday to enable the police to make enquires. The tools found in possession of the accused are reported to have been stolen from a local plumber.