DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[itY TKLKGItAPIX —TER I'KESS ASSOCIATION.] WAKATU WRECK. WELLINGTON, October IT. The report of the Court oil the lormal investigation into the stranding of the Wakntu on Waipapa Point on September (i, states that tho cause of the mishap was that the ship had been .subjected to an unusually strong set toward the north-west, owing to the action of wind and tide. The master set a reasonable and prudent course, which under ordinary circumstances should have carried him well clear of Waipapa Point. The Court considers that when the captain encountered thick weather he should have streamed the patent log, hut omission to do so was not the cause of the .stranding nor did it in any way contribute thereto. THE NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL. WELLINGTON, Oct. M. To the course of a letter to Mr Massey, Sir James Ferguson, the new Go-vernor-General. says:—“At least I can promise that 1 come keen to he useful and helpful in every wav possible, and with real regard and affection for the Dominion and its people.” Sir .1. Ferguson is expected in the middle of December. MAN .SHOOTS HIMSELF. NELSON, October 13.

Mr A. G. Nalder, a retired resident of Stoke, was found dead yesterday afternoon in a paddock on lii.s properly, with a bullet wound in the head. Deceased had been in ill health for some time, lie leaves a widow and three children. NELSON. October 11. A verdict was returned at tho inquest on Arthur George Nalder, that death was due from a gunshot wound in the head, the evidence pointing to a probable accident. SEVERAL ASSAULT CHARGES. AUCKLAND, October 13.

The Police Court is hearing charges against Edward l.eckie, aged 23, of having assaulted Muriel Mary Hanlon ami with assaulting .Minne Snick, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, in Albert Park, and also with indecently assaulting two girls, aged lii years and 17 years respectively. The evidence in .Miss Snick’s case showed that the young lady was stabbed between the shoulder blades, causing a wound an inch long, two inches deep, and within a inch of her spine. The police evidence .showed l.eckie was identified, by his footprints, as .Miss Snick's assailant.

The accused, in a statement admitted that he followed Miss Salec. from the Public Library. She walked in the light in the Park, and he became angry, lie caught hold of her, and afterwards he stabbed her with a pocket knife.

The case is proceeding. The hearing of tho charge of assault upon M.iss Snick, preferred against Edward l.ccky, has been adjourned until .Miss Snick is able to give evidence.

Upon tlie charges of indecent assault on two girls, aged live and six respectively, and of common assault on a girl of twelve. I.eckv was remanded till 10-mormv.

MISS SALICK’S EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND, October 1 I

In the charge of assault against Edward l.ccky, .Miss Snick stated in her evidence that she was passing through Albert Park at 7.1.7 p.m. Near the Custodian’s house she heard footsteps and then felt a hand on her shoulder and a hand on her mouth. She felt a blow on the hack, bill did not remember any more till she found hersell lace downwards on the grass. She ruul'.l not idciitifv her assailant.

RI.MUTAKA DEVIATION. .M ASTER TON, October II

,\i a meeting last night, representative of the whole of the Mairarapa, a vigorous protest was made against the postponement of the Rimutaka deviation. The following motion was carried : “This fully representative meeting of the whole of Wairarapn district emphatically enters a protest against the postponement ot the Riuiulaka deviation for a period of five veal’s, and declares the national impoi lance of tin* project calls lor an early eoiuiueueemeut ol the work; that a deputation wait upon the Alinistei in support of the resolution. AN A( ( DMIMJSIIEI) LIAR. UIMMSTtHI'RCII, October 1L ‘•You lie with vigour, you are a.n accomplished liar,” said the Alagistrale in convicting (if.hert James Edward Northcote. a youth cliargd with theft of walnuts. Previously Northcote had alleged that false statements had been extracted from him through the threats of the police, when locked in a room. He admitted lying this morning, lie was admitted to probation. VICE-REGAL. DUNEDIN, 0. tuber 11. Lord and Lady Jellicce left for the north hv to-day’s express, and were accorded a fitting send-off. A WIRELESS RECORD. GISBORNE AAIATKUU’S ACJIIEVEAIENT. GISBORNE. October 11. Two way communication with an amateur station in Boston, U.S.A., was established last night by Ivan O’Aleara, an amateur operator, using only a SO watt valve in transmitting, the distance being approximately 7.300 miles, which is claimed to he a world's record. Inter-Communication was maintained for one and a quarter hours.