DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—per press association.] .MAN SUICIDES. DUNEDIN, July 20. Hugh Mitchell, a sharebroker and accountant. and secretary of the Otago Branch of the Farmers' l nion, suicided this morning by hanging himself in the collar of his residence. He was 51 years of age. He had appeared worried lately, and did not sleep.

LIRE IN HOTEL CECIL. WELLINGTON, July 2(5. Shortly after midnight a fire broke out in the Hotel Cecil, which is opposite Lambton Quay Station. Ii appears to have started in the kitchen or pantry and immediatev spread to the dining room, which was a mass of Haines when the brigade arrived. After a struggle the fire was confined to this portion, the dining room being destroyed ami the rooms adjoining were much damaged. Underneath were bedrooms and these suffered from water. There was no confusion among the guests, hut two firemen had narrow escapes from injury. The damage is roughly estimated at foflOfl, the whole building and contents being insured with Ihe Norwich and Union Coy. Among those living in the hotel were several AI.P.s who were hurriedly called from the House to look after their families and belongings.

A CHARGE OF FRAUD. WELLINGTON. July 25. Herbert MacKiiell.v was charged with fraud in obtaining EIOO from one Hart by false pretences. It was stated that the accused caused an advertisement offering a working partnership lor £2fXi, and guaranteeing £8 to £K> weekly to he inserted. Hart responded. and an interview was arranged. Accused said lie had a business when at Auckland for advertising in the "School Journal.’’ Accused claimed suit* rights. As a result. Hurt advanced £lOll. Upon ascertaining that the accused did not possess the rights as represented. Hart informed the police. Accused was committed for trial, on bail of 2200.

A KIRK. AUCKLAND. July 2ii. A lire broke otiL at 10.311 last night among packing eases on the ground lloor of tt three storey brick building in Albert Street owned by Dearesleys. Ltd., boot manufacturers. The flames were confined to the ground floor occupied by Hope Gibbons, Ltd., molor merchants. Line damage was done to the building or stock.

LICENSING AFFAIRS. WELLINGTON, July 20. A large inlluential deputation from King Country waited on Mr Massey to-day urging dial the licensing pact made with .Maoris in 1881 should continue to lie respected. Mr Massey said he recognised the difficulty about the pact and lie was not prepared to suggest a way out. lie was as keen as anyone in maintaining good faith and unless them were good reasons to the contrary, that applied to the pact. Tie did not expect any licensing legislation to go through this session, lie believed the time had come for drastic reform of the liquor traffic in the interests of the pillule, lie would not go into details hut he 1 did not think the present state of affairs could eonunne. If it was going out, well and good, but if it was u<u we should have something a great deal better than we have now that would take legislative effect when the opportunity offered.

A LOAN PROPOSAL. HASTINGS. July 2T

Yesterday. Hastings carried a loan lor £32,000 for extension of electricity by SOI to MO. PH ISON FILS' ( O.MPLAIXT. A 1 CK I.A ND, July Hi. “Since our recapture v.e have been in solitary eoiifineiiient for 21 days.” eomjil’iinod the pipsoners. I!'chard llave.s and Charles King, when appearing in tin- Police Court for ilic hearing of charges connected with their escape.. “Your tieatmcnt L at the di-cretioii of the gaoler.'’ replied Mr l’eyntoii is.M. 'Tint- "c an; on half rations. protested King. The S.M.: “Well that is a matter for the gaoler.” Prisoner: “Nobody knows what goes on in gaol and nobody outside has power to interfere, bin "e aie only waiting trial and arc treated as though undergoing punishment. Chief Detective Mcllveiicy said that the men were lint in solitary couliue-

Pri.'Oiicr: “We. ale in the punishnmnt cells. and only allowed out for an Hour a day for exorcise. We are undergoing the same punidimenl as il m solitarv confinement.'’

The'Chief Detective explained that the men were on No 2 diet because they were nut working.

King ,-eplied : “We don't mind working if' you stop sinking us.” The Magistrate r.'i lied that they v.me in the hands of the gaoler and Kiev could make a complaint- in the umial way hut il would rebound on their own heads if it were Irtvnleus.