DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAm—PRESS ASSN., COPYRICIIT. TAXI-CAB’S PLUNGE. WATHI, May 21. A sensational escape from death occurred on the Waihi-Paernu Boad during the storm. Clem Burt, of Waihi, who was proceeding to Karangnhake, in his taxi, with the intention of picking up passengers from the train (the latter having been held up by a washout on the line) suddenly came upon a wide and deep washout right across the ron'i. Though la* immediately applied tho brakes ..is ear plunged into a. raging torrent, turned a .complete somersault, and sank ill eleven feet of water.

Burt was completely trapped within the ear. which had the curtains down. He made frantic; efforts to e-cape by tearing the curtains, and eventuallygot out of tho car. The unfortunate man was then carried by the current towards the Oltitteninri River, which was in high lkiud. Ho managed to save himself by seizing some blackberry hushes on the hank. ,Subsequently he drew himself on to the land in an exhausted condition. The washout is 12ft. clecui and J’.'tft. wide at one end, and 20ft. wide at the river end.

The ear was smashed. The hcxid collapsed when it capsized. Notwithstanding lii.s terrible experience, Burt appeared none the worst* this morning.

11 EAl.il'H DEPARTMENT. XK \V A I’POl NT AI ENTS. WELLINGTON, Alay 21. Important proposals are in train for strengthening the Health Department and increasing its efficiency.

Amongst the new steps which have been embarked upon by Sir Alaui l’oniare is the appointment of medical practitioners as inspectors of maternity homes. The need for such appointments has been recognised by the Alinister as being urgent, and the first doc tor to lie so appointed is Dr. T. L. I’agct, Palmerston North. Two other doctors are to he appointed as maternity hospital inspectors, making three in all.

Under the Health Department regulations is a provision for tlu* inspection of maternity institutions by officials of the Health Department, hot it is considered that there is room for extension in this respect, and that medical practitioners of strong ) ersonality should he appointed to the work. The Minister stated to-day that it had been known for some time past that the Department bail been undersinii'cd and this was one ol the first matters which lie looked into when lie became Minister of Health. “'I lie appointment of these maternity home inspectors is part of my policy of strengthening the* Department.” said the .Minister, “and increasing its «*l- - Cabinet Inis agiced to il*e appointment of three more health officers. I am strengthening things all round.” BURGLARY. AUCKLAND. May 21 The offices ot the Oik* ’live Hill Road Board were entered last night, the sirongroom and safe doors being blown open hv explosive. The stun ol Ik was taken from a raslibox. I lie c rime was executed with such neat ness and precision as to suggest the hand of an export.

BIG OFFER FOR PATENT. NAPIER, .May 21. A Napier syndicate having acquires! the American rights of a patent exploited bv New Zealanders, whose headquarters arc in Napier, have been ciiered a live-figure slim, running into tens of I hotlsands. for tin* l ights. As negotiations are al a critical stage, ufurther details can be disclosed at present. DORSET’S ! MALI GRANTS. AUCKLAND, May 21 The steamer Dorse t brought 812 passengers. of whom 81!) Mere unmiiinicd immigrants, including 18 domestics The immigrants include 70 nieii, 118 women, and 188 children. Ol the total 128 are for Auckland, 78 for Wellington, and o 7 for Dunedin.

A quantity of cargo untouched by Hie fire ill l!a* Dorset at Glasgow oil .March ICtll was brought by tin* steamer. (If 782 tons loaded at Glasgow. -11:1 wore discharged for reconditioning leaving 2•’('■* t*nts aliottril, eiiJiipi'istii.' principally hardware and i ■rockery. Tin* reconditioned cargo will he shipped later hv the Turakiua, Kent, and Ruapehu. A general average of 10 per c**nt lias lf;*i> deeliind oil all e- v*** loaded al Glasgow*.

AIASOUIiR A DING AS A DETECTIV!

AUC KLAND, .May 21 George .Norton, aged 22, was charged in the Police ( ourl that not heing a member of tlie Polite Fore;*, he tin lawfully assumed tin* designation oT Detective Aleiklejohn. He wtts lined (tod. Acdi'Ctl called oil a young lady and said lie was collecting evidence regarding it burglary. Later at night time lie 'aw her again in reference to tie* burglary, and showed her a toy revolver. When they were in a lonely spot lie put mi improper suggest ion to her. A eomiihiiui was made jo too police. This Ipd to the arrest of t!u*-a.iM-Usoii, wit*!, in Ids :;t:it''!ei*n: to !*:« police, admitted the olfence. He is a married man, with a wife and yniing child. He was charged two year* ago with impei-Minaling a detective. NOVEL BANKRUPTCY C.\BF. GISBORNE. .May 21 "!'l*o rii.'li in hand i-* aihiaiiy in excess < f i !*.-• liabilities,” sa/.l the Dvptuy Official Assignee at a. nivetiug ol creditor; to-day. The hanknipi was a country baker, Reginald Arthur Green. The latter said: “1 have gone careful I v into my position, and I find that with the expenses 1 have to face and steady opposition my turnover i; nut what it should he. and I am certain Unit if f continue I would steadily go

hack. If I carried on until my lease expires I would he doing so to the detriment of my creditors. Aly business has suffered owing to lac k ol shipment' of flour, ami l am faced within the next day or so with having to stop hreadinakiug. as there is no flour in tlie district.” The assignee said the bankrupt had been more cautious than mo-t men In business. He had gone and explained that within two days he would have I no flour to carry on with. The bankruptcy was a very simple one. There was no doubt tho creditors would get 20s in the L“. and the balance, of cvtirse, would go to the bankrupt. The bankrupt said the creditors were practically secured. If lie had tried to continue he would have had to fail sooner or later. lie had, therefore, taken what he considered the best tourse in the interest of all concerned. Afr Corson said Air Green was to he congratulated on the stand ho had taken. He had dealt a good deal with tlie bankrupt, and always found him honest and straightforward. The assignee said he would ronlinncolleeting the assets, and adjourned the meeting sine die.