DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] A NARROW ESCAPE. BLENHEIM, January 26. A prompt action by two members of Blenheim Rowing Club resulted in the saving of the life of a lad, Neol Reid, who was in danger of drowning in Opawa* river on Saturday afternoon. Reid and another lad, J. Toms, were out in a canvas canoe, when it upset. Toms could swim and made for the ben cl i, but Reid was left struggling. Cyril Hadfield and Alfred Gridley who had had a swim after a row were going to dress in the rowing shed when they heard cries for help. They plunged into the river swam across to the opposite bank and ran over 120 yards to the scene of the mishap. Hadfield saw Reid sink for the last time and diving ill, swam under the water, seized him, and, helped by Gridley he got Reid to the shore. Artificial respiration was successful

A SENSATIONAL FRACAS. BROTHERS ARRESTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER NAPIER, January 20. A sensational fracas on the marine parade last evening resulted in the death of William Charles Clark, timber merchant, aged 37 years, and in the subsequent arrest of John and Maurice Breen on a charge of man-

I .slaughter. 'The charge is based on the part played by the latter pair, who are aged 32 and 42, respectively, in an alleged attempt at abduction in which the central figure was Breen’s fourteen year-old nephew, Frank Wilson, who recently, was living on their farm. Last Thursday his mother, accompanied by Clark and others, took the hoy away and on Saturday went to Wairoa and More re by car, and were returning last night when they were met as soon as the car stopped at Mrs Wilson’s gate by the Breen brothers. It is alleged the attempt at kidnapping followed. Clark, who was a boarder at Mrs Wilsons and owner of the car, apparently attempted to prevent the abduction. He struggled with first Maurice and then with John Breen, later staggering into the house where be collapsed and died almost immediately. The cause of Clark’s death is not definitely stated, but the body was marked with an abrasion and there was a cut on his head. The Breens meanwhile had driven away with the hoy Wilson. They were arrested at Hastings at mid-night. The Breens have been remanded for a week, bail being refused.

YOUNG BOY DROWNED. NAPIER, January 23. Edwin Alexander Hawthorne, aged 13, was drowned at Hanmoana yesterday. RAIN IN NORTH CANTERBURY. FARMERS LOSE HEAVILY. CHRISTCHURCH, January 20. Over one inch of rain has fallen in North Canterbury since Saturday morning and the downpour continues causing heavy loss to farmers by flattening the crops and soaking the stocks. BODY RECOVERED. DUNEDIN. Jan. 20. 'The body of James McGowan, 'who was killed in the Taratu mine on Tliursdav was recovered on Saturday .iltornoon. Alt inquest has been 'opened. FELL FROM TRAM. DUNEDIN. Jan. 20. James Malcolm, aged 43. and married. fell from a. tram in Princes St. on Saturday night, ' sustaining serious head injuries. A MURDER CHARGE. KICKED ON THE HEAD. DUNEDIN, January 20. At, iho Police Court. Philip Gordon Sutherland was charged with the murder of John James Ryan. Wilson Jefferson, a. farm-labourer, stated the deceased was on RanfurlyDunodin train on December 23. When the deceased rose to his feet at Middlemarch he fell on to a spittoon, badly cutting Ins head. He seemed stunned for some time. Jennie Copland, a storekeeper at Dunedin, stated the accused entered her store on the evening of December 23rd with another man. Ryan came in and asked where to get a ear and the accused told him. Both Rvau and the accused were under the influence of drink. Ryan said sometthing nasty to the accused, who replied: "'Wlmt are you coming at. ’ Later Ryan struck tho accused and ran from the shop, being followed by the accused. A minute later witness saw the deceased lying on the path 'Hear her shop and accused kicked him twice on the head.