DOMINION STEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1926, Page 1

DOMINION STEMS.

i by telegraph—per press association.]

FREEZING COY. FROZEN. WANGANUI, Jan. 23. It is reported that the Wanganui Meat Freezing Coy. Tdd., which has been unable to obtain finance to open its works this season, lias agreed to sell them to the New Zealand Refrigerating Coy. Ltd., which owns the other local works. Ihe sale is subject only to ratification by the shareholders of the Wanganui Meat Coy., and a meeting of share-holders is convened for February 3rd. to approve or otherwise of the sale. In the absence of any fresh financial support from producers or of any scheme to permit the Wanganui Company resuming operations, it is expected the share-holders will confirm the sale. Payment will lie made, it is understood partly in cash and partly in shares in the Refrigerating Coy. LIFEBOAT TRAGEDY. WANGANUI, Jan 21. While entering Wanganui Heads at dusk, last evening, a lifeboat from the liner. ICumara. which is anchored in the roadstead, was dashed against the South A foie and capsized. The crew of live all got ashore, except the third officer, Mr Batty, who was drowned. His body has not yet been found. The seas were rough at the time. The boat was coming to port to pick up the Captain, who had been ashore for the day. Leaving the Kvimara at G p.m. the crew had a trying time in making the Heads, and they battled against the wind and sen. for two hours. Just when within the moles the boat was swept against the rocks. Throe men scrambled on to the rocks. A fourth man, Charles Garvie, was buffeted against a pile, and lie was in the water for half an hour, landing some distance to the South. His face was badly lacerated. He is now in the Hospital. Batty was not seen after the boat, capsized. He was a native of London and was about 25 rears old.

CHRISTC I LURCH TRAMWAYS. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 21. The Christchurch Tramway Union at a largely attended meeting held this morning, rejected the Tramway Board’s proposals for a new agreement. It was decided to refer the dispute to the Conciliation Council. which meets about February 15. WATERSIDERS’ HOURS. CHRISTCHURCH, January 23. In return for ihe offer of an increase of ltd an hour and other concessions, made to walersiders. the employers asekd the men to give some concessions, the chief being that they return to work on Saturday afternoons. A ballot held in Lvteltoii on the question, resulted against work on Saturday afternoons by SGO to SI. MOTOR CRASH. AUCKLAND. Jan. 22. ■ Just before midnight, a seven-seater motor car was traveling for Auckland. and. when turning a corner at Papaknra, ii skidded and crashed with a telegraph post, and was badly wrecked. Six passengers were injured. They were conveyed to Auckland Hospital. They included: Harry Booth. aged 38. injuries to the head, condition serious. Richard O’Shea, aged 27 compound fracture ot the tibia and general abrasions. Mrs Bertha Mercer, aged 30. head injuries and facial abrasions. She is improving. Mrs Five Robins,ui. aged 28, Mil .on (ho face, necessitating stitches. The mishap was caused by ihe bursting of a rear tyre. Harry Kingston Booth, who was injured in the Papaknra motor car accident early yesterday morning, died last evening. Miss Alice Ulseii. who was abo iuconrlitiou. BUSH FT RES STOPPED BY BAIN. OHAKUNK. J an. 23. Providential rain 101 l at six o clock last evening, averting serious damage by I lie hush tires along the OhakuneRaetihi Road. Many houses had boon abandoned as hopeless. Those were saved bv rain.

Two dwellings occupied by Wilyliniuson mid Henry were burned. Cointinicylion with the undying districts is interrupted. hut so fur no d Hilly go. is reported. Iho wind 101 lat midnighh. A WOMAN’S DEATH. IXCOXSISTKXCY OP POTSOX ACT. TI'MAIHJ. Jyunary 20. At the inquest on Caroline ATiiry Wilson, the evidence showed die deceased endeavoured to secure poison from three chemists, hut without success. She then went to :t llorist. and secured y carton of black leaf poison, saving sh required it for chrysanthemums. On returning home she drank the poison, death following soon after. A verdict of suicide by poison, selfadministered. wa- returned, the Coroner commenting on the inconsistency of the law which permitted florists; and others to sell poisons without restriction, whilst chemists were properly required to comply with the regulations under the Poisons -vet.