DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

ar TJXEOBAPH —PEE6S ABBN., OOPTRIOHI. A TRAGEDY AVERTED. FERRYMAN’S PROMPT ACTION. TE KUITJ, January 11. A serious tragedy was only averted by the promptitude of the ferryman at Mokau yesterday. When a car was taking the ferry punt the driver failed to stop it and the car continued on its course. The man, his wife and three children were precipitated into the river. The ferryman jumped into a boat, climber on to the head of the ear before it sank and dragged out tlie woman and children. The ferryman afterwards dived and tied a rope to the ear which was rescued. The spectators paid a tribute to the prompt action of the ferryman, James Lennox.

REPORTERS NOT WANTED'. DOCTOR THACKER’S STAND. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 11. “1 don’t want reporters of any description at this meeting—l don’t want anyone here who is connected with the Press!” remarked Dr T. J. Thacker when three reporters tried to attend a League football meeting, and had assembled outside the door of a small room in a building in Cathedral Square at about 7.30 o’clock on Saturday night. “The meeting,” the President went on in explanation, “is purely a committee one, and I want no reporters here.” By this time two reporters were in the room. “But,” protested the voice of a member, “why go i"to committee about the business? Why—” “I’ll tell you when the reporters leave the room,” tlie Doctor stated. Retiring from the room, the two pressmen joined their colleague at the door, which was then shut. After the members had talked a lew minutes amongst themselves, the door was reopened, and the reporters were fold they could leave, which they did. THE ISLAND BAY CASE. WELLINGTON, Jan. IT. At the inquest on Violet Anna. Clinio, whose body was found m ,l locked room in the Blue Platter lea House. Island Bay, evidence showed that she had hanged herself, but disclosed no motive. The verdict was suicide by hanging.

77, T1L ANNIVERSARY OF “LYTTELTON T 1 MEG.’.’ CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 11. The “Lyttelton Times,” the oldest surviving paper in New Zealand, celebrated its 77, til anniversary to-U.ij with the publication of a i°rly-piiK‘‘ issue. Acknowledgement was locCud of a loyal message sent to His Majesty the King, and congratulations were received from many prominent' persons.

LYTTELTON WHARF DISPUTE. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 11. A partial hold-up of the discharge ol the French steamer Sierentz’s cargo ol sulphur has taken place at Lyttelton, owing to a demand ol the watcrsiders for three shillings pc r hour ordinary time, which is 4*d above Hie award rate The company declined to pa\ this. Tlie local Disputes Committee failed to arrive at a decision Ihe matter will be placed betore the National Disputes Committee at Vellnvtoil it. the meantime, unloading is proceeding by means of the Harbotu Hoard’s grab, which does not require labour on the vessel at the present stage.

REMAND GRANTED. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. U

The case against Frank llallignn, the man who jumped from a thml.storey window at the Dominion Hotel on Friday, was called at the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning, before Air 11. Y. Widdowson, S-M. Accused was not ill. a lit state to appear, and on the application of De-tective-Sergeant J. Young, a remand until next \\ ednesduy was granted. The charge against llalligan was that on January Bth. at Christ eh tilth, he stole from the dwelling-house of Percy Curtis the sum of £3 in money, the property of Ruby Harris. AN INQUEST. WELLINGTON, Jan. 0. At the inquest on Edgar Murray, who was fatally injured during excavation work at Island Bay on V cdnexday, Henry Levy Wolland, the contractor, stated that the deceased and two others were clearing earth from the face, which had been blasted. A fall occurred and the deceased was caught and his legs buried. A leg was broken and the deceased died from bis injuries. Other witnesses said the method used in the work seemed to the employees to he safe and usual. The coroner (Air W. G. Riddell) said I bore bad been some question about I lie method, but lie did not. propose to conitncnl on that now. A verdict was returned that death was due lo shock, following injuries accidentally received during excavation work.

KELEASE!) FROAI GAOL. AUCKLAND. Jan. 10. After serving sentences of three months’ imprisonment for .refusing duty. 7)0 British seamen will lie liberated in Auckland early this week. Thirty-five members of the crew of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Otaki will come out of gaol on Mondny, and 24 members of the crew of the Shaw Sax-ill and Albion liner Tainui on Tuesday. Another seaman from the Tainui who made a demonstration when lie and his fellow-sea-

men were sentenced was given an extra seven days for contempt of court. ■When he i.s released next Tuesday week, Mount Eden Gaol will at last be clear of striking seamen. Arrangements are Icing made Tor next week’s batch to he sent to England by a steamer leaving 'Wellington about the end of the week.

COASTAL STEAMER AGROUND. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 11. The coastal steamer Mairati, has been on the Wairnn bar for a week. Messrs Kinsey and Co., Lyttelton agents for the vessel were advised on Saturday that she was still on the bar. Tt is common enough for the vessel to get stranded at Blenheim, hut she has hitherto been floated off by tlie rising tide. The vessel has been using her sails in the endeavour to get off the bar, and it is hoped to have her off very soon.

In’ the meantime seas are piling up the shingle underneath the vessel’s stern. The Mai ran is in a very similar position to that of the Wnkntu, which went ashore near the mouth of the Clarence River last year. The Mai.rau went ashore oil a spring tide, and the opinion is expressed that it will take another spring tide to shift her.

The Mai ran is a wooden steamer of 143 tons gross, and was built in 1900 by T. M. Lane, Totara North, for Mr T. F. Eckford, of Blenheim. For some time she has been employed oil tbo r/vttolton-Bleiiheini-WeHingtoii riiii. Captain A. Jackson is in command of the vessel.