DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH PBEBB A»BN , OOFYBIQHT. A TUNNEL TRAGEDY. DUNEDIN, Nov. 10. A shocking fatality occurred on the .south railway line, early this evening, when a man was run down by a train in Caversham tunnel, and killed instantly. The holly appeared to have ficen carried along by two following trains, It was mutilated beyond recognition. Later it was found that James Rutledge had keen missing from his home in Caversham since 4 p.m. The police reported that Rutledge was the victim of the fatalitv.

PECULIAR SCALDING FATALITY. INVERCARGILL. November 17. The infant son of Mr .1. 11. Aldridge was fatally scalded in the mouth and throat. The child was left momentarily in the kitchen and it drank boiling water From the spout of a kettle standing on a range. CHRISTCHURCH CALENDAR LIGHT.

CHRISTCHURCH. November 17. At the opening of the Supreme Court criminal sessions this morning Judge Reed siiid there was a very light calendar. There were no charges of a class usually described as serious offences against the law. There were only five barges against five prisoners.

ABSENCE OF CRIAIK. BLENHEIM. Nov. 17. At the Supreme Court, Judge AfaeGrcgor congratulated the Grand Jury on the fact of there being no criminal cases. It was a highly satisfactory state of affairs in such a wide district lo find an entire absence of crime. Tfe trusted such a state of things would continue.

I.ML’ORTAXT JUDGMENT. . INVERCARGILL. Nov. 17. An important judgment was deliver'd Ip- Magistrate Cruickshank in a tuarantee case to-day. The treasurer if the Waikai'vj Football Club was short in funds, and under pressure his father guaranteed to pay £72 in order lo save publicity. The (Tub sued for the amount. The Magistrate said ihc law was clear that agreements for i ho purpose of stifling criminal prosecutions are void, as tending to obstruct the course of public justice. Where the securities were obtained from relatives to cover an amount embezzled. such securities have been set aside on the grounds that they were ibtnined by improper pressure and duress and, also, being agreements to stifle a prosecution. A threat lo prose'•ute was not illegal and it was quite lawful to take security from a debtor. If the son had given the bond it woidcl have been binding on him as judgment for the debt.

FOUND HANGING. INVERCARGILL. Nov. 17

Thomas Lit lie,ow. married, aged 58. was found hanging in a wash-chouse at his residence. Deceased for many vein's was conductor of the Garrison Band and latterly instructor of the Borstal Band, lie was suffering from i nervous break-down.

A BOY’S DEATH. H A.M [l-TON. Nov. 17. Ivan Keller. the six-year son of the Rotntuna dairy factory manager, stray'd into the factory when nobody was about and fell into a vat < f not whey. He managed to scramble out and his ■ries attracted attention. He was Found fearfully burned about the body. High ami arm-. Medic al aid was sumlioiiod. but he Micfimil'Oi.l to liiis injur-

)RIJXFvKN MOTnIIIST’S KS(

FINED £lO AND LICENSE SUSPENDED. HAMILTON. Nov. 17. Oscar Svenson. a milking machine traveller, was fined £lO and costs for being drunk while in charge of a motor ••nr. The evident e showed the accused had steered a most erratic course through the main street of the town, when traffic was somewhat busy, sometimes on the footpath and sometimes in the carriage wav. Traffic was scattered in all directions, and in one ease >nly the prompt action of the father saved a child in a. hnsinette from certain death. A couple of bicycles were smashed during the escapade. Svensin. who undertook to make good (lie damage done, bad Ins license suspended and a prohibition order issued.

car capsizes. AUCKLAND. Nov. 17. A. F. Griffin, a taxi driver, injured his back and received cuts oil lii.s face uid bands through a hurst tyre causing liis car to capsize near Poketis. pinning Griffin under one side. Five passengers were imprisoned inside the car hut escaped unhurt, and continued the journey to* Hamilton races in another vehicle.

SEQUEL TO LIBEL ACTON. AUCKLAND, Nov. 17

A sequel to the libel action which resulted in John Ignatius Fox being awarded one thousand pounds damages maiust William Gmulfellow, was heard ,v Judge Ilerdinaii to-day. when Mr Seymour moved for judgment on the pu v’s finding. Mr Northeroft moved lor a non-suit on the first issue which contained the question: “Have you ever heard Fox was reported twice as a spy. 1-o gal argument is proceeding.*

(OTTAGK DESTROYED AT RUNANGA. GREYM.OUTH. November 17

\ six-roomed cottage, owned and occupied by S. Mclvor, was totally clesroved bv lire at Uuuaiign at 9.30 this morning." Mclvor was working at the nine ami Mrs Mclvor had lelt tor Irevmuutli shortly before the outbreak vas* discovered. Four children were .way at school. There is a small liluiranee on the house hut none on the furniture or piano. Carpenter’s tools ..Rued at £3O were also destroyed.

THE KING COUNTRY AND liquor TAUMARUNUI, Nov. 17.

A meeting of the Waimarino Labor Representation Committee passed a resolution urging on the Minister of Justice the desirability >of taking steps to purge the King Country in • reuneral and Taiimarunui in particular, of the illicit trade of sly-grog selling. The traffic is a pronounced evil, and the police department seems wholly unable to deal effectively with the mat-

tor. A resolution was also passed calling upon the Department of Justice to adopt more up-to-date methods in coping with breaches of the law : also that it "was up to the same Department to find out who supplied the large quantities of liquor, which were distributed throughout the electorate and'consumed on polling day.

WELLINGTON HOTEL SOLD. WELLINGTON. Nov. 17. The Empire Hotel in A\ ilfis St. has been bought at a price stated to be between £75,000 and £BO.OOO.