DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1925, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

(B 7 TELEGRAPH—PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

STEAMER, RAXGITOTO. AUCKLAND, Dec. 23. Tbo steamer Rangitoto purchased by George 1 Niceol in England last year for excursions in the Gulf, lias been bought by the Northern Steamship Coy. AMAZING ESCAPE FROM DEATH. WHANGAREI, Dec. 23. An amazing escape from injury occurred last evening when Mr T. R. Christie, married, aged thirty, while motor cycling crashed into a railway engine at Kamo road crossing. He was flung from, the machine on to the cowcatcher of the engine with his head downwards. Ho remained balanced in that position for thirty yards until the train pulled up. The cycle was badly smashed, but Christie got off sera tcliless. ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER. WELLINGTON. Dec. 23.

William Henry Curtis, alias George IT. Laee.v, a musician, aged ■lb. who was arrested on board the .Hakurn on the 7th December, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day with wounding Annie Louisa Timson at Sydney on 30th November with intent to murder her.

The police slated that when taken to the detective office the accused produced a bloodstained shirt which lie said be was wearing at the time of the assault and a bloodstained handkerchief with which lie bad wiped his hands. Detective Sergeant- Matthews, of the Sydney police force, applied for an extradition application, which was granted and accused will return to Sydney with Matthews by the Mnimgamii tomorrow. WANGANUI FREEZING COY’S DIFFICULTIES. WAXGANUT, Dec. 23. After last season’s losses it is understood the Wanganui bleat Freezing Coy., which has been established for 36 years is unable to Imv fat stock this season. At the company’s annual meeting hist week a. committee was ,-et up to confer with the directors with a view to assisting the company over its difficulties. In the meantime the company is freezing on behalf of clients. It is also carrying on its butter and cheese storage, abattoir and retail shops.

It is not vet known what, will be the outcome of tile committee’s deliberations. but there is a strong feeling among the settlers that the company must lie kept going.

NAUTICAL COURT. AUCKLAND. December 22. The nautical Court of enquiry into the collision between the tug Lyttelton and the scow Talisman in November found that the master of the Lyttelton diil not keep sufficient look-out. He was ordered to pay the cost of the enquiry. All certificates were returned. MORE SHARKS. AUCKLAND. Dec. 22. Four more large sharks were caught during the week-end. three in the Waileinata Harbour, and one in Mamikau Harbour. The largest shark, which was oft "in long, with a girth measurement of -Ift 2in, was hooked yesterday morning by Mr A. .Jamieson from a yacht in Shoal Hay. off Sulphur Reach. Notrlicole. Mr Jamieson's tackle consisted of a heavy cotton line, fitted with a steel wire trace and two triple books baited with mullet. The shark fought for about ,'ltl minutes. Previous success in shark-fishing from the Northern Steamship Company's coal hulk. Eure, off Shoal Itav, prompted Mr It. Griffin and four companions to try their luck again, provided with equipment which bad enabled the party to capture two specimens measuring iff! .din and Sit respectively the week previously. They tied their launch to the bulk yesterday afternoon, and before long Griffin bad succeeded in booking a monster, using toll) of kiugfisli as bait. Thu Shark's desperate and savage efforts to escape were futile, and it was no muled for alter being played for 20 minute' The combined efforts of the five men bud been required to prevent it fro in gelling ana.v. Alter being hauled on board by means of the Euro's tackle, the captive was found to measure Pit tin.

WELLINGTON FIRE. WELLINGTON. Dec. 23. A lire attended by heavy loss occurred near Courtenay Place this evening. The Wellington Fruit Exchange buildings in Hlair Sireei was ainirsl totally destroyed. Tlie heaviest losers air; Thompson Pros, and Coy. and liyron Hi iv. n. open warehouse, crockery importers. Several other firms suffered damage b.v lie.it, smoke and water. The tire was discovered at 8 o'clock b.v the emplovei'S ot T lionipson liras. and Lang and Co. The top of the building was occupied by Hyrou Hrowii, and apparently the fire commenced in or near there. The fire brigade made a splendid fight, and saved other buildings, but Hip promises and slock of the firms named and several others were either destroyed or damaged. It is stated the losses an* ill the vicinity of £15,000.