DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

f JIY TELEOIUPH —PEK Pit ESS ASSOCIATION.]

A NARROW ESCAPE,

AUCKLAND, Jan. 4. A remarkable escape from being dashed over- a cliff ab Castor Bay on to jagged rocks 30 feet below, was experienced by the occupants of a fiveseater motor-car which was standing on the roughly formed roadway, which feel away at the side over a pathway directly to the edge of the cliff. Two women, a boy and a girl were sitting in it when the brakes slipped owing to the strain upon them. The vehicle made for the pathway and dropped about four feet on to it In the meantime the boy had jumped out, while the screams of the women attracted the attention of the people on the beach below, who could see tiie car heading for the cliff. The heavy landing on the path fortunately broke the front axle, and the wheels buckled. This had the effect of stopping the car within feet of the cliff edge. Several holiday-makers later helped to haul it hack to the roadway. A BOUGH TRIP. AUCKLAND, January 4. Stormy seas and squalls marred the voyage from Vancouver of the R.M.S. “ Niagara/’ which arrived in Auckland to-day. The ship left Vancouver on December IC. The departure was made when a strong north-westerly was blowing, and the sea was rough and later a strong southerly gale developed with very high head seas. The vessel laboured and rolled heavily, at the same time shipping heavy water. These conditions continued until 4 p.m. on December 22, when the Niagara passed through the centre of the storm. The wind shifted suddenly from S.S.K. to TV.SAY. in a sixty-mile-nii-hour squall which was accompanied by heavy rain and vivid lightning, which necessitated the vessel being hove to for two hours while the storm raged and the. ship received the full fury of the elements. Later the weather cleared and modrate to fresh winds were experienced, until Honolulu was reached on December 24. Honolulu was left with a moderate W.S.TV. wind, and a moderate sea. ’.i no weather continued fine until December 30, when a moderate westerly gale sprang up with heavy seas. The vessel pitched heavily. Later the weather cleared, and the vessel arrived at Suva on January 2nd. in line weather. A light southerly wind and a smooth sea prevailed at Suva when the Niagara left, three days ago. The conditions remained the same throughout the passage to Auckland. The ship suffered no damage during the storm.

A DARING ROBBERY. AUCKLAND, dan. A. After following a man, whom ho had .soon displaying banknotes to tho value of C 42 in an hotel at Olahnhii on Monday, a Maori named Toi I’erc made a sudden attack, and decamped with the money. The owner was proceeding along Prince’s Street, when, the Maori overtook him. and engaged him in conversation. Pere then made a swift grab at Hie man's waistcoat and secured the notes. A hue and cry was raised. and Pore was pursued across tho country until lie disappeared. An hour la tor Constable Pollard u as riding li is bicycle in Pan mure Bond, when lie saw a hatless Maori hoard a bus for the city. The Constable gave chase and alter furious pedalling, ho caught- up with the bus. The Maori bad then only LIT in bis possession, and would not admit that, there was any more, in (be roll lie had seized.

When charged with theft in Otahuhu Police Court, the Maori pleaded guilty aid was commil ted to the Supreme Court for sentence.