DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGR APH —PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.I - A SNOW fall. ASHBURTON, Nor. 7. The County otf?Ashburtan had an unusual experience on Friday night, as a heavy fall of .snow took place, ranging from five inches at Alcthven and the higher levels to a sprinkling in the borough. The fall commenced about 7.30 and continued until 11. In town the snow did not lie, as it fell only at intervals between heavy rain.' According to old residents snow has not fallen in November for more thqn twenty years. "What made the fall the more unusual was the fact that the previous few days had been fine and warm. Rain fell on Thursday evening and again 011 Friday, when there was a sudden drop in the temperature. Saturday broke fine but chilly. sharp frost- was experienced, seven degrees being registered. Ninety-five points of rain had also been recorded at nine o’clock.

Towards the const no snow fell, although there were very heavy showers of rain. The hills have a good covering, which, if it remains, will cause some sharp frosts. The rivers arc not very high as yet. much of the snow not having melted.

ATaOBI CKNTENARI AN. DEATH AT PIC'TON. BLENHEIM, November 7. "Old Nathan,” a .Maori, died in the I’ietou Hospital on AYednesdny at the great age of 107 years, which is in all probability a record lor this part of the Dominion. Although doubted by many his age has been certified to by responsible persons ol his own race, from hearing what their grandfathers have told them about the old veteran’s escapes in the days of the “Hans Hans.” Nathan is reputed to have been bred among the heathen of the race, and he has admitted on many occasions that he has seen white men in bis day victims of the tomahawk and the roasting process. During I lie present generation, however, Nathan has been at peace with himself and the world at large. lie was quaint and popular to a degree and when His Excellency Lord Jellieoe visited l’icton a vear or so ago he visited the two old centenarians now gone, the late Air Fortescuc and the Native, Nathan. The Governor-Seneral, in a remark An Mrs Parfitt. who accompanied him, said in a low tone, “ I wonder it the old chap has ever oaten anybody.” Nathan heard the query and, smiling, held up two lingers.

He fought in the Maori, war against the Europeans and originally came to this island from AYaikanae. lie owned Blackwood Bay for many years, where he buried a wile. It is not know whether he had any family, but for a long time he bad been a pensioner and under the charge of the Pieton Hospital Board in the Old Men’s' Home. He was perfectly conscious to the last. An hour before passing away he conversed with Mrs Parfitt, the visiting member, and the nurses and told them he was " komate.”

TNTOX(GATED MOTORIST. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 9. Alfred Collins. Bateman, was fined £lO and had his driver’s license suspended till March 31st. lor being inLnxicatcd while in chargfo of a motor

ACCIDENT TO AY AT ER STD F.R S. GTSBORNS, Nov. 9. AYhilc working on tlie Kao in tho bay. this evening, the aide of a stack of Hour in Number Four hold gave way. falling on three watersiders. J. McKay, sc-nr. A. Stewart and L. Brand. McKay sustained a badly crushed thigh, and the. other two were slightly cut about the face. All three were removed late to-night to Cook Hospital for further examination.

CHILD’S FATAL FALL. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 9. Laceration of the brain was the cause of the- death of Alma AYalker Beckitt, aged 8 years and 8 months, living with her parents at -A3 Dominion Avenue, Sproydon. who died at two o’clock this morning. She was playing in the garden of her home yesterday, when she had a fall.

FRAUD CHARGE. WELLINGTON Nov. 9. On the arrival of tho Tahiti from Sydney, two passengers. Lionel Vincent Gates, and Elsie Gentles, were arrested at the wharf hv detectives, and later were charged at the .court with having conspired at Melbourne to defraud Messrs Palmer and Co. o£ £BO. Both were remanded until Monday.

-MR- AY. P. REEVES. AUCKLAND, Nov. 9. Mr William Bomber Reeves, formerly a New Zealand Cabinet Minister, returned by the Niagara to-day, after an absence of-30 years from New Zealand. He expressed his keen delight at being hack home, and at the evidences of progress in this city. Air Reeves does not consider the outlook for English Liberalism is bright. Their leadershiy, he says, lacks popularity, and their policy lacks definiteness. Many of the Liberal leaders are chiefly occupied in denouncing Socialism. The people say that they might as well have that from the Conservatives, At the last election many rich Liberals voted with Air Baldwin to keep Labour out at all costs, while a considerable number of the younger and poorer Liberals have gone over to Labour.

AH' Reeves will remain in the Dominion for five months, going to 'Dunedin for the Exhibition.

JOCKEY’S LEO BROKEN. AUCKLAND, November 10. Thomas Chaplin when riding Pittsworth in the Onehjinga steeplechase yesterday, fell and had his right leg bndlv broken.

A BOY’S DEATH. TE AROHA, November 10. A hoy named Lenoard Mnr.gassn, aged (U years, drank spirits of salts in mistake for ginger beer three and a half years ago and after treatment by the local doctors was sent by his parents to London and was treated by specialists, but died on August 14tk, in hospital at Osta.