DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1925, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

UT TELEOItAPH —PEtt PIIESS ASSOCIATION j

\ FORGOTTEN AIKAIORIAL. WELLINGTON. Nov. 18. Even the adherents of local labour unions seem to have entirely torgotteil a man lliov once delighted to honour - Samuel Duncan Parnell, the founder tin New Zealand) of the eight-hours, movement. At his death a memorial 1 was raised, in 1893. in the form of a drinking fountain, incorporated in the facade of the AVellington Free Public Library, on the eastern side ol the main entrance. This consists ol an ornamental carved granite basin, snrlumnted hy a marble slab, in which is inserted a bronze impression, in high relief, of the face of the founder of the .’ight-hours movement. But long t.go this fountain ceased to function. Someone in authority caused the water tap to he plugged ell. and the basin to he filled with concrete. Wellington is very short of public rater fountains. All over Sydney and .Melbourne, in the streets, parks, and reserves, there are public fountains which are used freely hy all classes, of the community, simply because with this sort of fountain one’s lips do not come into contact with anything save Ihe water. It is suggested to the untilcritics that this ancient memorial ~ might he cleaned up a little and converted into a modern bubble iountaiu.

DAYLIGHT “LTAIITED.” AVELLINGTON. Nov. li. The north hound daylight Limited express, consisting til seven carriages (three first-class, three second-class, tml one first and second class ladies’ made its first; run from Thorndon veterday morning. There is on this express accommodation for some 2(10 persons, hut yestor.lav’s passengers totalled only 40. This no'doubt was due to the fact that most ,f the express traffic is south-hound at the present time. A number of the ■xpressos have been poorly patronised hdelv. aml therefore if may he several lavs beiore an impression can be gained as to the popularity of the daylight Limited. AUCKLAND, November Id. The first daylight “limited” left for the south til 7.0-3 this morning, consisting of three first-class, three second--class carriages, and a ladies’ carriage. There wore 43 first and 31 second-class hookings, and these were increased by IS this morning, the total including 33 through passengers and six ladies. The first-class section was three-quarters full and the second-class half full. S.S. A AVARUA SAFE. WELLINGTON. Nor. 20. The (Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Office lias received a message Mating that, the steamer Awnrua, concerning tiu> safety of which anxiety has been felt, is sheltering at W.lienoanta Bay. Chatham Islands, owing to rough weather. COMAIITTKD FOR TRIAL. NAPIER, November 20.

The hearing was continued of charges if manslaughter against Frederick Bavin, driver of the Wellington-Xapier mail train on the occasion of the accident on September 22nd. Several further witnesses gave evidence as to a man in a dark suit (identified by some as Marshall) leaving the engine at Ormondviile, going into an hotel and returning to the first carriage. One witness saw this man then go into the engine tab. At Hatauma three persons were seen in the engine call. When the train was slowly approaching Waiptikaurau over a crossing a ma it was seen to alight opposite the hotel. One witness saw two strangers on the engine l when the train left Waiptikaurau. At Waipawa, Marshall was seen on Hie engine hy the statiuiimaster’s wife. Another witness saw a man carrying bottles walk towards the engine just before the train left Waipawa. Experts gave evidence that the track aL the scene of the accident was in perfect condition. Tin* schedule speed was 23 miles per hour. The engine was stated to lie in perfect order on the day of the accident. Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence anil was committed to the Supremo Court for trial.