DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1923, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] COWBOY SHOT. GISBORNE, May 7. Gus Heikell, 14. a cowboy at Ngatapa, went to round up cows yesteK day afternoon. lie was carrying a pcariflc. Failing to return, his employer searched and found him unconscious with a bullet wound in his abdomen. He was apparently thrown from his horse the gun exploding in the fall. His condition is serious. TAXI-DRIVER KI LLF.D. NATTER, May 7. A fatal motor accident happened near Napier last evening. David Boyd a taxi-driver, was killed; Percy I.egrove. agent, .suffered concussion of the brain: and Miss Hindman, a visitor from Gisborne, was badly cut si Lout and is suffering from shock. Two other young ladies escaped serious injury. Boyd evidently failed to see a turn in the road and smashed into a telegraph pole. He was killed outright. T.egrovc and Hindman are in the hospital and doing well. ATTENDANTS DISMISSED. AUCKLAND, May 7 Three junior attendants at the Auckland Mental Hospital have been dismissed and one senior suspended as a result of a complaint made hv a patient who alleged lie had been assaulted.

His complaint was first made to the Superintendent, and oil being referred to the District Inspector an investigation was carried out with the assistance of an official visitor. Tt was discovered that the patient was badly bruised though .suffering no permanent injuries.

Independent reports containing the findings and recommendation were suLmitfc-d to ilre Jnspector-Clenernl. and the authorities of the hospital dismissed the juniors. The case of the senior will he finally considered by tlie Public Service Commissioners. MAOIir GATHERING. WANGANUI. May 8. A big gathering of Maoris at Rntnna Pali, from all parts of ilio Dominion, discussed matters of importance to the welfare of the native race. The meeting was a successful testimony to liatane’s good work, which was much in evider.ee. Among their resolutions was one to petition Parliament praying that lhe* franchise on the li.jiiur question he extended to .Maoris, especially as Indians, Chinese and other coloured people from abroad, on entering the Dominion arc allowed to vote on this question. FIRE AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, May 7. A tire broke out this evening on Lanihton Quay in a mercer's shop occupied by Bruce and Howe, outfitters —one of the ('lciest buildings in the city. The adjoining .shop was occupied by Butter" ort It and Company (Australasia), Ltd., law stationers and booksellers. .Mi Arthur, the manager, saw smoke coming from the doorway and gave the alarm. The prompt, response and splendid work of the Brigade prevented a must serious outbreak. Though the lire had a good hold, it was quickly .suppressed, lull the whole eentents (insured in the United Fire Insurance Co.) were bully damaged by lire and water.

V.'EJ.bi’XGTON SENTENCES. WELLINGTON, -May 7. At tlio Supremo Court sitting hold to-day, the Chief Justine presided. Tlic following sentences were imposed: Joan Keller, for theft of various articles from ilie Union Steamship Company, four months’ imprisonment. Alan Bruce Saunders, cleric in the Tfoirrist DepraTment, for theft, six moil tlis’ imprisonment. John Knox Glover, for theft of postal packets, one year’s reformative detention. Half Henry Percy Cooke, for theft from -Masterton Borough Council, one year’s reformative detention. "Lewis Asher, for theft, was granted a. term of probation for eighteen months. WAITANGf WBKCK. ! I AWL It A, May 7. The Waitangi, which is ashore at Baton, rests well up on a. sandy bottom. She lias two holes well above the water line and hopes are entertained that the vessel will he re-floated next spring tides, in about ten days’ time. She has a cargo of chaff, not coal as was at first telegraphed. The cargo is undamaged, and is being salvaged. The report that a sailor was injured is foiiudationless. EXHIBITION SITE. DEXEOrx, May 8. At a- meeting of the Caledonian Society it was decided io empower the directors to offer tin; Caledonian Ground to the Provisional Exhibition Committee as a site for the 1925 exhibition. The grounds have an area of eight acres, valued at £lli.oofh ’1 he proposal is that the lands shall be vested in the Crown bv an Act of Parliament as in the case of Lam-aster Park. The plans prepared provide for a complete circle or permanent buildings, the upper storey to be a concert ball seating <SOOO. It is suggested that overhead corridors shall cross Anderson Bay Bond to the other Exhibition Buildings on the Harbour Board’s southern reclamation, which provides large areas.

THE MEAT TRADE. ’WELLINGTON. May 8. Mr John Eraser, general manager of the X.Z. -Meat Producers’ Board, has been deputed to inquire into the conditions of the meat trade in the Argentine and elsewhere, and the possibilities of new markets. Mr I raser leaves \\ ellim'ton to-morrow morning lor the Argentine. and subsequently goes to London lie was appointed to bis present position because of his intimate knowledge of the meat trade in New /eaJjind and it is hoped his investigations will materially benefit the meat producers. COURSING. DUNEDIN. May 8. Tn response to a Christchurch request. the dates of tlie New Zealand Waterloo coursing meeting bate been altered to August Bth. oth. and 10th. to. synchronise with the Grand National Carnival dates. A MIXER KILLED. RKEETON. slay 8. To-duv a Reef ton coal miner. Mr Albert Wells, aged 30. was lulled by a fall of coal while working in the Reefton Goal Mine. No particulars are available as to bow the accident happened. Mr Wells, whose wife pre-de-ceased him. leaves three young children.