DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INFLUENZA DEATHS. WELLINGTON, Kept. I. Official figures, just available, show that except Taranaki, where 32 cases were reported lasi, week, the influenza epidemic, which raged from the south to the north, has died down now almost to normal. It has been a more •serious outbreak than the isolated reports indicated. From the commencement of June until August, it claimed 189 deaths, 151 .of the deaths oeeuring in six weeks. SHIP'S STEWARD FINED. WELLINGTON. Sept. I. At the .Magistrate’s Coiirl to-day. Thomas Eugene Finncrly, a ship's steward, was lined till in default two months' imprisonment, for a broach of the Arms Act, being in possession of a livo-chambered revolver. The Magistrate. Mr Page, said that terms of imprisonment would have to he imposed if this class of offence did not cease. MAGISTRATE'S STICK TURKS. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 5 In imposing a line of £5 on a second hand dealer for failing to enter tin time and date of purchase of a hicvcle, the Magistrate said [ think you have been acting as a “hedge.” 1 have no sympathy for second hand dealers who act as hedges, and mv onlv regret is that you have only one charge against you. BUSHMAN KILLED. NELSON, Sept. 5. Henry Gibson, single, aged 22, was seriously injured while luishfellitig at Alnruia. by a falling branch. He died al the hospital. A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest. KNOW-BOUND SHEEP CLEAR. INVERCARGILL, Kept. 2. All tho slice])' that were snowbound in 11 io recent fall of snow in the back country have now been lilieratcd, and have been removed to the lower levels, and a resident of that district informed a “Times” reporter yesterday that they were now over the worst so far as the snow was concerned.

“All the sheep are not out." lie continued. “ami are doing not so lutdly. There is always a certain amount of aftermath from a snowfall as tho sheep eat each other’s wool, and heroine wool hound when they are turned out on other Iced. Things tire not so had as they were painted at first, and the sheep have come through the ordeal ill a remarkable maimer. It, is astonishing how they existed through the period they were snow-hound, and since liberation they have done well. There is no wav of estimated the h.-ses • at

present, and runliolders will have to wait until Hie shearing tallies runic in. Perhaps it is just, as well." lie concluded, “that we cannot ascertain our losses until then, as they might cause us ronsiderahie worry."

“There is one tiling I would like in mention,” lie remarked, after dismissing the sheep subject, “and that is the manner in which the mail contractors have kept the mails running. They were laced with many difficulties, hut these were faced cheerfully and they citntiiiuod their 'work without any grumbling or hiss in fane o! almost impassable roads. Even the mad, now are had, but the mailmen keep going in a femtirl.al.de mnieei. I'heir wort U hard!; ej-in canted e-mug!', and lliing. during the snow period, was- mo difficult- for them to attempt."