DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1924, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

UY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. A CASE HELD OYER. , OISHORXK, December (i. Ail unusual position occurred at the Supreme Court to-day, when Mr Justice Rood said that he could not try a case on a civil list, as he was a shareholder in the defendant company, the Gisborne Sheep Farmers’ Frozen -Meat and Merchantile Company. The action was brought hy John W. lioniface against the Company, claiming 1.’1078 for alleged ]>oisonal injuries, and the case was to have been beard before a jury of twelve. When the case was called, Mr Justice Reed said: “ 'This ease cannot go on this session, for the reason, I am. sorry to say that fam unable to try it. When I was in Gisborne some considerable time ago, 1 purchased some debentures in the. Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Company, and in consequence I eannol possibly take the case. I have looked into authorities. and even if counsel were willing it would not be proper to go on with the case.”

His Honour said that lie would take an early opportunity to dispose of his shares. lie added that the same firm is also involved in a motion for changing an order, and although it was a minor matter, it would not he right for him to deal with it and it would be adjourned till next session. NEW GOVKRXOR-GENERAT,. HOUSEHOLD STAFF ARRIVES. AUCKLAND. December 7. .Members of the household staff of Sir Charles l-’ergiisson arrived hy the Ruapehu to proceed to Wellington this evening to have Government House ready for the arrival of Sir Charles and Lady Kergusson hy the Ituahine on Saturdav.

Although a stranger to New Zealand the house steward. David Adams, spent several years in Australia. Twenty-five years ago he held a similar position in the household 01. Lord Reauchamp when he was Governor ol New South Wales from 1908 to IDIO. Adams was in the service ol the Earl of Dudley, at the time he was Gover-nor-General of Australia. He returned to the Commonwealth four years ago as house steward in the establishment of Sir Charles Weigall, the Governor of South Australia. Ilis present appointment is, therefore, his fourth in that capacity. With Mr Adams are several male members of the household stall, including three chauffeurs and the domestic stall comprising eight maids. They travelled under the supervision of Lady Alice Kergussnn’s housekeeper. Miss Janet McGrnw. Mrs McGraw is a Scotswoman and so arc seven of the eight maids OLD IDENTITY’- DEATH. TAUMARUXUr. December 8. Obituary.—Thomas Devere Hunt, ol Matiere, one of the earliest settlers in the King Country. The late Mr Hunt was a member of the Hospital Hoard, and a former member of the Ohara County Council and the Matiere representative on the Auckland Railwav League for some

years. CON REED DIES. TAUMARUXUI. Dei ember 8. (on Heed, the jockey who was thrown hy Lilac Domino in the I rial Plate at- the Tnumartinui races on Saturday died in tin- hospital last night. TAUMARUXUI, December 8. Heed’s body has been removed to Trentliam for internment. INQUEST YEli PICT. AUCKLAND. December 8. The inquest on the body ol Joseph Alexander Human who was found drowned at Devonport on November 2. lias eonclmb' l. Till ollglioiiI I lie inquest übu ll \\ as t wiee adjourned. there seemed lo be a suspicion ol I<nil play, as deceased was in possession 01. a considerable sum of money previous to his death. This idea was not supported liv the evidence and there being no marks of violence on the body the Coroner returned a verdict ol found drowned.

MOTOR CYCLE RACES. AUCKLAND. Dee. 8. At the Motor Racing Club’s meeting tbi' Auckland Handicap of fi miles was won by Coleman on a 7 h.p. Harley Davidson from scratch. R. Shakespeare on a 7 h.p. Hurly-Davidson (2-7 secs) was second. Time o.l() 2-o. Cole man won bv half a wheel. Five Miles Handicap—Williamson, h.p. Connaught (3-7 secs) 1. D. Woodman. 2, h.p. A.J.S. (scr.) 2. lime .7.17. Great Northern Handicap of 12 miles. Muller, 3 1 , h.p. Norton (70 secs) 1. .T. McCroady, 7 h.p. Ilarley-Davidson (-7-7 sees) 2. Time 10-18 2-b. Australasian Junior Championship, 3 miles.—Woodman, 2j h.p. A.J.S. I. Jones, 2 : ; li.». A.J.S., 2. Won eas'ly. Time 7.11 8-7.

Coleman .subsequently. despite a heavy shower, cut one* tilth oil his own world’s mile record ol L 3->. Moodman lowered the 370 e.c. grass track record of Dawher by 2 seconds.

A NARROW* ESCAPE. WELLINGTON. December 8. A narrow escape from drowning was experienced in tbe harbour on Saturday by a well-known local merchant. Bertie Smith. While rowing oil the harbour bis skill' became water-logged and lie was obliged to take to tbe water using tbe oars to support liini. He endeavoured to attract tbe attention of passing steamers and yachts, but unsuccessfully, and when eventually be was picked nv the yacht Bona, after l-cing in the water about three hours, he was almost exhausted and declared ho could have lasted only a few minutes longer. Smith sull'ers no ill effec ts. SCHOOL TEACHER’S DEATH. DUNEDIN. Be: ember 8. At the adjourned inquest on Christina Weir, aged forty, a school teacher, who was found dead in her bedroom on November 23rd. the evidence showed that no trace of poison was found. On examination it was elicited further tlr.it deceased had suffered from epileptic fits which were kept a secret cvct" from her father. -pile Coroner stated that this stopped any suspicion that poison was taken. He returned a verdict that death was due to respiratory paralysis during an epileptic seizure.

MOTOR CYCLE ACCIDENT. DAXNEVIRKE. DecemlK'i- 3. While motor cycling to Voodville yesterday from Kiritaki. Ray Walker and Winnie Coldstream met with a serious accident. The cycle capsized rounc nig a bend. Coldstream was riding pillion and got her right foot caught in the chain, the limb being almost torn away, having to he amputated subsequently a* the Daiinevirke Hospital. Walker rus

tained injuries to his knee. VA LUELKSB CHEQUES. NAPIER. December 8. Charles William Rrylinm, aged 2. years, pleaded guilty to issuing valueless cheques at Napier and Wairoa am. was sentenced to six months goal at tlie Magistrate’s Court this morning.

DICTATOR OF VENEZUELA. NEW YORK, December 6. Obituary.—Castro, the famous exiled dictator of Venezuela, at New Orleans.