DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1923, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—beii press association.]

INQUEST ON MILS OATHS. WANOANiT. November 22. 'The i ini lie.-,! . 1-1:11' .•ruing the death of .Margaret Lmil.i Oat'“> on October 2bHi.. was held this morning before Mr Barton S.M. Sujt. Fonliv represented the police. (.'oil-table Wunihou-e -tilled that he (mi known tl.c deceased and her bus. band foi a couple of year- and had ;*! ■a ay- lound tliem a happy louph'. |)l. 11. K. Allen, hoii-e -urgeoii at tic V.’angnniii llo'-pitnl. -rated that he attended Oates v.li 'ii he Mil- adiintlcd to the hospital. (late- had a v.ouud iv c lii" light eye one and a hall inch-. tmig. The eye was oomph lel v shut. He had another wound on the foi-elcad. an abrasion on the right elbow, and was suffering, from slight, '-imeussi.e.i. The injuries could have been cati-e 1 V. bell he bad hi- arm up slieltci iujr hi-, head. Witness was of opinion that the

’■•'cumin were not self-in Dieted and tic statement made by (late,- was eon-iai-eiit with the olisei vat ions of witness. Mrs Oates was admit ted at 10.2,0 p.i.i. and with Doctor Andersc.ii uitm-s made a post mortem exaimoation. ffo found a v mind on the head, three inches by one and a half inches, another near tii" light car, and a third near the Inch of the head. Tic wound- appeared > have been inflicted by a blunt in-trn-L.ent. .Mrs Oates died at 12.-ID without regaining coiiseiou-nes ■. Doctor Wilson said tl at he was summoned to Date-' house on the nighi id the tragedy. Mr, Oates was lying on tue Horn, uueoii-fion-, with a large hole in t lie top 111 |,< r -hull, a 11K'li was lair; 1 1 red in several plate-. No -laics of blood wen- on the hand- of the bus - land, who wa- in a hy-teiie.il oiulitiou and dazed. Witne— could not imagine In.- u mind , e- -u-i I -inl! icted. Dr. Hudson -aid lie though! tiiai a wooden in -1 riii >i. 11 1 wa- ' -oil. not an iron liar. Walter Hedges, of tic firm ol Oates and Co. -aid (late- and In- wile were a very fond couple. Everything connected with tile business was above hoard.

William Oates said on the night rf the murder Ids wife brought his Pa io the shop about six o'elick. They both had tea in the nllice. She left about B.|A. remarking a- she was leaving, ‘■(iond-hye, don't he long coining home." Witness worked till about nine o’clock, then, put the cash in a brief hag. and left f. r home on Ins bicycle. The inquest is pro ceding. DAIIIV ("ONTRi.iI, HOARD. THREAT TO MINISTER. TK AAVAMUTU. November 22. Iti. hard ('• l h. . of Kcilding. annouic. cl as a candidate fo: the Hairy lootrol Board election, having been nominated by tweiitv-oue lactories. had his application for a copy m the roll refused hv the Minister of Agiicidl ure, though it is understood that ike mil had been issued to the ticket. • Minister has been advised that a writ will he issued if the refusal i< persi-ied ir. EARTH TREMORS. (i R EYMOUTI I. Nov. 22. It is reported I nun Arthur s Pasthal a. series of earth tremors occurred throughout yesterday. There were several shocks also at Otira, and two shocks occurred there this morning. The damage was slight.