DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1925, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[B? TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

EARTH TREMORS. MASTER-TON, December 23. An earthquake of unusual severity was experienced yesterday at 3.40 p.m. The shake was preceded by a pronounced rumbling for about ten seconds. The severity of the tremor occupied five seconds, during which buildings rocked jicrilously. No serious damage is reported, the most severe sufferers apparently living crockery shops, where Christmas displays were disturbed. The town was full of Christmas shoppers and many shops were quickly emptied, the severity of the tremor causing considerable alarm. Perry’s buildings, a two-storey concrete structure. which swayed treacherously throughout the shake, was cracked from the top of the parapet down for about eight feet. The shake is considered the most severe since 1912. NEW .MINISTERS? A FEW POSSIBLES. WELLINGTON. December 23. Knowing that Mr Coates will soon reconstruct; his .Ministry, political tipsters have been selecting those likely to fill the vacancies. Among the mimes mentioned are those of Mr F. J, Rollestou (Timaru), Mr F. llockly and Air K. S. Williams, the last-named as .Minister of Native Affairs. Next to Air Coates himself, who now deals with this Department, no one would he more cordially welcomed to the position by the .Maoris than Sir Williams. They hold him in the highest esteem. It is suggested flint advancement for some of those mentioned might depend on whether the Hon ('. E. Statham is re-elected to the Speakership. Possibly ho will not lie. and. if so. either Air Young or Mr llockly would he generally regarded as sure to fill ihc I position. t

Another who might lie considered suitable for the chair is Air F. .J. Rollestoo. A!r Young was Chairman of Committees in the last House, and Air llockly. who acted in Mr Young’s occasional absences, made a name for himself as one of the best who has lx*on in the chair in recent years. SANDERS CUP. CHRISTCHURCH. December 28. The fourth Sanders Cup yachting contest at Lyttelton was won by the Secret with the Retry second and Tcnnent third. BROKEN HIP. CHRISTCHURCH, December 28. Donald Rutledge, a youth was uimitted to the hospital with a broken hip. the result of a collision while motor cycling. A CAR ACCIDENT. WELLINGTON. Dec. 28. Going down Belvedere Road. at Kilbirnie, last evening. 1). McKay Robinson, tlie* driver found it too steep for his car brakes, which worked badly ■mil he was forced to steer out, into flio Lank to save going over Ihv side. The ear capsized and Robinson had h:s cnllar lame fractured and several ribs broken. The mad lias many sharp bends and is regarded as dangerous. SUICIDE. DUXF.IMN, December 27.

Alex. Wood, a married man. residing at Owaka, was found hanging yestcrffav. An inquest will he held. PAHIATUA, December 26. l.eeston Thomas Sirctt. aged 31. a married man with a lamily ol five, ■tied suddenly at his home shortly after Christmas Day. lie had been suffering from heart trouble. FOUND DMA ID. CHRISTCHURCH. December 27. William Bryce Wilkin, aged 33. a -ingle man. was found dead in his room at llm Oxford Hotel. Chrisleluireii, this morning. He "as attended for heart trouble.