DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION’.]

PICKPOCKETS TO BE DEPORTED. AUCKLAND, Jau. 22. “These two men are professional pick-pockets, each with long criminal histories in Australia,” said Chief Defective Cummings, in introducing to Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M.. at the Police Court this morning, Harry Smith and Phillip Ensworth Smith., two young men, both of whom were presented for sentence on charges of trespassing on the Takapuna racecourse during the progress of a race meeting, and with being idle and disorderly persons, who habitually consorted with reputed thieves. Thp Chief Detective added that the Smiths had come here from Australia. They had convictions recorded against them for various offences in nearly all the Australian States, and had served numerous terms of imprisonment. They had now agreed to leave the Dominion by the Marania. and the matter rested with the Magistrate to decide. Mr Poynton: Have they any money to pay their own fares? Chief-Detective Cummings: Oh, yes Sir. They have plenty and can talk in hundreds. Air Poynton, on the charge of trespassing. lined each accused £5, with costs, while he convicted and ordered them to come up for sentence when called upon the charges of vagrancy. Each will be kept in custody and placed on board the Marania when that vessel leaves Auckland tor Sydney to-morrow.

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

AUCKLAND, January 25. A lorry, driven by R. Maim, which was returning from the Ngarunwaliia races on Sunday morning, when pulling aside to pass a motor-car fell over a steep hank and lodged against a tree fifteen feet below. Two members of the party were rather badly hurt, hut were able to travel hoine by car.

On the Great North Road on Sunday afternoon a motor bus, driven by L. Mcl.earten, and an ice cream van. driven by T. A. Newton, collided. Both vehicles overturned and eight passengers were taken to too hospital, hut four of these went home after treatment. Three children and one man remain in the hospital. Iris Moore, aged nine, lias a fracture of the right arm. Thelma Mom*?, agpd 12. fractured her left arm, Trevor Pennyeook. aged 11. laceration of left foot and Raymond Edgar, laceration of left foot

AN EXCITING CHASE. TWO MEN ARRESTED. WELLINGTON, January 25. A burglary took place yesterday morning ns the result of which the police arrested two men alter an exciting chase and in tlie presence of one hundred people. It is alleged that they entered the workroom and offices of Sclincideman and Sons, in Cable Street, the premises of Hetrick and Co., merchants and shipowners, and of the Fletcher Construction Company, where they secured a considerable sum of money tied up in small bags. Schiieidoman’s and Hatriek’s premises were thoroughly ransacked. The suspicions of one ol llatrick’s employees were first aroused by hearing someone walking about on a Hour above, bill he took little notice until he „aw two men drop through a hole, which they had evidently cut. near the stairway. Questioning them, lie was not satisfied with their explanation, but he allowed them to depart. Immediately. however, lie rushed down to the police station.

A constable jumped into a car, which sped alter the men, who were seen going in the direction ol lory Stieet. Here they wen- stopped, but they put up a game light and were only secured after a strenuous resistance.

They are supposed to be recent arrivals from Home and will appear at the Court to-day. DRUNK MOTOR DRIVER. CHRISTCHURCH, January 25. After leaving a party at 4 a.m. yesterday. George Exton. 3(i, was ton nil intoxicated in his motor-car. He had previouslv been convicted of a similar offence. This time he was fined C2f>. and his license, which expires on March 31st, was suspended and he was disqualified from holding a license for 12 mold lis. A FARMER FINED. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25. Because lie failed to boil down a horse his pigs were found eating, Frederick Black, a farmer, was fined £5 and costs at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. BURGLARS BUSY CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 25. Two city second-hand shops were entered by burglars on Saturday night. From the shop of G. 11. Baker, Manchester Street, nothing is missing. It is believed they were disturbed. In the other shop of J. .Madden, Manchester Street they scoured a small haul. Entry was secured in both cases through rear windows.

FLOOD DAMAGE. NELSON, Jan. 25. Taknka on Friday experienced a heavy (loot! described as the worst for forty years. The river overflowed tfie protection works and flowed over a very wide area including most of the town. In some iowlying portions the water reached the windows. .Miles ot fencing were swept away and the loss of stock is fairly heavy. It was thought a youth H. Spa wow hud been drowned, but he was marooned on an island in the river. Telegraphic communication was broken, but is now restored.

MAORI YOUTH KILLED. AVAIROA, Jan. 25. A fatal accident occurred yesterday afternoon, when a Maori youth, \\ i 'I c Kaura, collided with a car driven by AVulter McGregor, the well-known \Vairoa rep. footballer. The deceased was riding a bicycle at North Clyde against a heavy wind, with his head down. McGregor was following liehind. Ihe service car pulled out to pass the cyclist, wim, apparently, lost his head. As the motorist swung to the side of the road to avoid him the .Maori swerved into the car which was damaged and the youth was picked up lifeless. m vori hangs himself. AVAIROA, Jaii. 25. Alsnit noon yesterday the police received word that a native fanner and contractor. Rum Kahaknra, aged 50, hung himself at his residence at the AYhakaki native settlement, after a violent quarrel with his wife and family. ABANDONED CHILD. CHRISTCHURCH. Jan. 25. A two weeks old baby was found abandoned in an unteiiaiited house at Waltham yestereve. The child -nut congealed Wood on the head and the medical opinion is that it had been abandoned early this morningcries attracted the attention of a pa-s----er-by. N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM. AUCKLAND, Jan. 25. The League team will leave for England about July 15th. The financial manager is Mr G. H. Bonder, ot Auckland. and the manager and official coach. E. H. Mair. T , . . The “elector for the South Island is f; c. H. Hardingham, and for the North Island A. McClymont. A third selector is to l>e appointed by the New Zealand Council. ‘ , . , Several trial games will lie played in private prior to a choice of the team.

PALMERSTON NORTH PIKES. PALMERSTON NORTH, Jan. 23. A fire litis morning gutted a fiverooniied dwelling in Rroud Street, next to tile Methodist Church. The dwelling was owned by P. Cowlishaw. The latter, who was the solo occupant at the time of the outbreak, escaped in his night attire through a window. The heat damaged seven large gothic window panels and several smaller panes of the church windows. The insurance is five hundred on the house, and three hundred on the furniture. A 5.30 the Fire Brigade was called to business premises, White House, in the Square, where ail outbreak was discovered. The prompt arrival of the brigade saved a severe loss, only the walls, ceiling and passageway being badly charred, apart from the damage bv water. CHILD DROWNED TN FOUNTAIN. PALMERSTON NORTH, Jan. 25. The nineteen months’ old child of Mrs Brown, housekeeper for Mrs and Mrs G. Lync, Awapuni, was found drowned in a fountain near the property. On Saturday afternoon the child wandered away and a search revealed the body face downwards in fourteen inches of water.