DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BT TEr.EGRArn—MESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. I GISBORNE WATERSIDE DISPUTE. GISBORNE, Dec. 29. The watersiders this arc working the wool, hatter anil general cargo oil the steamer Cumberland, but when the call was made for working the meat cargo in the steamer, no response was made. A THRILLING EXPERIENCE. GISBORNE, December 29. The .thrilling experience of Harry Nelson, a fisherman at Teararoa, is reported from Hicks IJav. Nelson was coasting in an ISft boat when it was caught by a heavy gale. Being unable to make land he dropped a grapple with a good length of rope and rode out the severe storm for 21 hours, eventually reaching the shore safely. He was without food or water. SHOT IN CHEST. PALMERSTON, N., Dec. 2K. A youth, Thomas Emythe, sustained gunshot wounds in the chest at a public shooting gallery on Saturday. The proprietor provided him with eight bullets, and then went to fix the target. He heard a imilfled report, and when he returned to the gallery front, he saw Smythe walking away down the street. Smythe had uttered neither cry nor exclamation as to any injury which hud been'made by Smythe. The next scene was enacted at a lounge in the same street, where he took a seat. Then he lay across a table groaning.' Ho explained that lie had caught the rifle in his clothing and it had gone oil', the bullet entering his chest. 'I he proprietor examined the wound, which evidently was made by a small bore rifle, and which was bleeding slightly. .Marks of the rifle’s explosion were apparent on his shirt. A doctor ordered Smythe’s removal to the hospital, where his condition is regarded as serious, although he is still conscious. The police opinion is HuiL the wound is accidental, but two previous escapades of an extraordinary character, point to the fact that the youth is mentally unbalanced. WRECKAGE SIGHTED. WANGANUI. December 29. The quest ion as to whether it was the remains of the lost steamer Ripple has been raised in consequence of the sighting of wreckage by the steamer Vulsella when approaching Cape I’alliser on a recent voyage from Napier to Wanganui. 'I he captain of the Vulsella states that the wreckage was sighted when within a couple ol hundred yards. It appeared to he the top of a mast with a wire rope attached to it. The mast was stationary and cvidenly attached to a large submerged object. As the location was noted, it seems probable the matter can he cleared up by an investigation. NEW CONVENT SCHOOL. ROTORUA. December 29. A new .Roman Catholic I out out School was opened here yesterday in the presence of a largo gathering by Bishop Cleary. of Auckland. The school is a very handsome structwool reinforced concrete. acconunodating 210 pupils. The Bishop expressed the opinion that it is the finest designed anil finished school in the diocese. It cost upwards of .L'-1000. I’AI 11ATUA ACCIDENTS. PAIIIATUA. December 29. James John Priest, aged 21, a sun „r a local resident, is believed to have been drowned at Ngatmi. 110 was employed driving a learn lor the County Council, lie cycled from town carlv this morning. His hat and pipe were found in the river. Ihe indications arc that lie carried a hag of clialf some distance before proceeding to cross the lord. I'All I ATUA. December 2». An accident occurred at Pahiatua railcar station Ibis alleruooii on Hie arrival of Ihe Wellington express. William W. Styles, station clerk, ran alongside it with the object of taking the tablet and his foot slipped. He swayed towards the train. In an endeavour to save himself, lie clutched at the rail of the tender. Ho was swept oil his loot and was dragged, a considerable distance, with bis body down between the train and the, platform. The engine driver applied the brakes immediately. The unfortunate man was lying hv the rails. Constable Ihinell was a passenger hv the train, which was crowded, and with commendable promtitude he arranged for the stiflerer s transit t-o the hospital. Styles sustained dislocation of the knee, several bruises mi the hack and abrasions on the arm. It is feared that there is a fracture of the hack of ihe skull. WEATHER FOR HOLIDAY. WELLINGTON, December ’29. While Christmas Day. Boxing Day. and Saturday were favourable to holiday makers, a change, came over the wettflier yesterday. Heavy rain has been falling Sunday and to-day. necessitating the postponement of several tourneys, including the Rowling Association’s gathering. Heavy vain is ..till falling.