DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] A FATAL END. DUNEDIN, Sept. 22. Robert McNicoll, who was injured in tlie fire in the Arcadia, died at the hospital this morning. NEW HIGH SCHOOL. CHRISTCHURCH, Sen. 22. The foundation stone for the Now Buildings for the West Christchurch District High School was laid this afternoon by the Hon. Mr Parr, Minister of Education. The new school is the first to he erected under the Education Department's new policy el replacing one old school ill each ol the (our centres each year with a new and up-to-date building. The new sehool will cost approximately <242,000. TIMARU-CH.CII. ROAD RACE. CM RISTCH UR 11. Sept. 24. Handicaps for the Timaru-Christ-chureh road race next Saturday provide ;i limit of 55 minutes. The three sera tell men are O'Shea. Hill (Christchurch) and AVright (Reeftou). who performed so well in the Warniambool race last year. The entrants are most)v from tiie South Island.

SERIOUS INJURIES. BLENHEIM, Sept. 24. Frederick Martin, single, was admitted to the hospital early this morning with his lower jaw blown away, and other serious injuries to his head, believed to be caused by a gun-shot wound, self-inflicted. His condition is very critical. He bad been suffering some time from ill-health. HOTEL DESTROYED. CARTERTON, Sept. 24. An outbreak ot fire at 1.30 this morning destroyed the Club Hotel. Twenty-one inmates escaped in their night attire, nearly all losing their effects.- The efforts of the Fire Brigade were handicapped by a leak in the mains. The building being constructed of wood, the (tames spread rapidly, the whole structure being destroyed in an hour and a half. The insurances are unavailable. WIN ON A FOUL. NEW PLYMOUTH Sept. 24. On Saturday night Harry May won oil a foul ill the lasi minute of a fifteen round contest against l 1 ’red Smith, who had annexed the majority ol the rounds. INQUEST. DUNEDIN, Sep. 24. At the inquest on Robert Alexandei McNicoll, who died on Saturday from I,urns, caused bv the ignition of benzine at bis dry-cleaning works in tlie Royal Arcade, the evidence showed that he was working in the cellar close to a gas ring. The Coroner emphasised the danger of working with volatile oils near a naked light. Ihe verdict Mas shock following extensive burns. HEAVY HAILSTORM. TAI'RA.NGA. Sept. 21.

A thunderstorm here about seven last night, accompanied by a tail ol had which was an exceptionally heavy one. lasted about a quarter of an hour, and covered the country side to a depth of several inches, much siill remaining in the depressions this morning. The gardens and orchards suffered severely, many hailstones being half an inch in diameter. Although the drains ami spoutings were temporarily blocked, no other damage K i emoted .