DOMINION ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS

'APPARENT suicide. INVERCARGILL, Dec. 31. A single man, William MeMullan, aged about 31, was admitted to the public hospital on Wednesday night, with a gash in his throat, apparently self-inflicted. He died at- an early hour this morning.

A FARM TRAGEDY. INVERCARGILL. Dee. 31. The farmhouse of Arthur Blundell, at A\ aimaturn, was destroyed by fire this morning. 'I be- incident was attended by a tragedy, William Henry King, farm labourer, single, aged 28. lieing burned to death. Yesterday King complained about being unwell and when called to milking this morning be answered, but did not get up. Blondell milked several cows and then went towards the house to see what "as tho matter with King. He found the house ablaze. The fire was fiercest near King’s room. Air Blondell managed to get the children out, hut King perished.

SUPERANNUATTON EUNI). WELLINGTON, Doc. 30. In oonseqiieiKe of the announcement that- a large number of civil servants will lie retired presently the Public Service Association has written to tho Commissioner, pressing that all officers of (33 should lie retired irrespective of length of service, and all others on completing furly years, provided they are fill. On the other hand it appears that present conditions are pressing too heavily on the superannuation I mid. The official report to the Superannuation Board states that the heavy strain on tho fund due to the rer-eni numerous retirements of comparatively young contributors can only be relieved by a substantial increase in ibe statutory subsidy. The fund stands at £2,223,000 and the interest earned has increased by nearly six per cent, --till it is far from enough. Tho report, states I ha, o,fiends are alarmed at (lie advanta.es taken by the department of recent mmlilionibms of the Act and ii specially stresses Ibe

retirement of contributors at forty years’ service, or less in manv eases. They are ten or eleven years short of 65 and their retirement causes a loss of contributions which never was allowed for. The original calculations were based on the assumption that few retirements would take place under 65. The result is that :lie actuary is inU'sjgaiing the position and lie will report io tlie Government the amount ol extra subsidy required to make good the deficiency.

TP SNIP WITH A SHARK. I'll A AIKS, Doc. 30. A grey nurse shark 9ft. -tin. long, was on ugh i to .1 Oliphant. who was fishing in a dinghy a mile and a half oil' shore. The lish towed the boat about two miles before being dispatched. SIX KIBES. AUCKLAND. Jan. 1. A series of six fires, most of them of a minor nature, occurred in Auckland and suburbs during Thursday and to-day. Damage estimated at between £2OOO ami £3OOO was causer! I.v an outbreak ill the galavanising and tin do--1 artment in Hardley's. plumbers’ suppliers and liiaeufy' i urers of dairy requisites in Broadway. Newmarket, on New Year's I've. The tire spread to -everal jars -nijiliurie acid stored among machinery, and as they burst with the terrific heat. Ilie.v released dangerous fumes. Fortunately the firemen had been warned, and. although a few were affected, none were ■iverpowered. A large stock <4 palm oil aught fire, making matters worse. I’lie brigade had a .strenuous light extending over three hours before the mtbreak was subdued.

wo outbreaks, suspected to be eausbv iiicendinrists. occurred in tho

city the same night. At 10.30 the brigade was called to Kelson Chambers in High Street. A box of straw in the basement was found to be on fire. The box was near the gas meter and in a dangerous position. Had il not been for a passer-by discovering the fire, serious damage might, have resulted. Half an hour later tho brigade received a call to the City Chambers, Queen Street. Fires had been started in cupboards on the second and third floors, hut two occupiers of the building fortunately discovered them.