DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

(BY TF.LECRAPIT CEII PRESS ASSOCIATION.] STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. AUCKLAND, Jan. LEI. Two valuable dairy herd beasts have been killed. In one case it is clear that lightning was the cause of the death of the pedigree Jersey bull. Maori Squire, owned by Dr Walker, of Maunu, while Gold Plane, a valuable two-yea r-olcl pedigree Jersey cow, showing high butterfat production, and owned by Air Alex Christie, of Taneknhn, owner of the world’s record breaker, Vivnndiere, was found dead in an open paddock yesterday. It appears that she also died from the same cause. Gold Plane was a show cow which had secured first- awards in shows and promised to be a worthy successor to Vivnndiere, and the almost equally illustrious cow, Indalia.

DRUNK MEN ON TRAINS. DUNEDIN. Jan. 22

“I, in common with other members of the public who have experience of train travelling, feel that these, men are a great nuisance,” remarked Mr If. W. Bundle, S.AL, at the Police Cjourt to-day, when commenting on drunkenness on trains. “There should he some way of dealing with them. They should be locked up in a separate compartment.” A young woman had been the victim of the misbehaviour described in ihe case before the Alagistrate, in which George Smith, of Seadilf, was charged with behaving offensively in a train on November 21. It was explained by Senior Sergeant Qiiartermiiin that the olfenco look place on the (bid p.m. train to Seaclilf. The man forced his attentions on a young woman, who had finally to appeal to the guard. That the defendant was a man of excellent character who. through his alcoholic lapse, was quite unaware ol what he was doing, was the explanation offered on Smith’s behalf by Mr A. C. Hanlon. The facts, he said, would he admitted, hut, though Smith had undoubtedly spokou to the women, he had not interfered with her. If the man were convicted, he would undoubtedly lose his position. The young woman described the occurrence, and said, in reply to Air Hanlon. that Smith had not interfered with her. nor had lie used had language. The Alagistrate said that the defendant’s good record anil the excellent character that was given him in a number of unsolicited testimonials weighed with him. but, looking at the facts, he could not treat the case, lightly. Ihe defendant had no doubt suffered a good deal already. He would he convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called -upon.

AIR. J. AY. MILROY. NELSON, Jan, 21

The death is announced of Air J. \V. .Milroy, formerly New Zealand Rifle Champion.

LORD ALLr.NBY’S ITINERARY. WELLINGTON, Jan. 2 A Field-Marshal Allenhy’s visit is to he a very hurried one. After his arrival in Auckland lie will lose little time in getting to Queenstown. Luke Wakatipu. Ho will pass through Canterbury on Saturday Jan. 311th., and he in Dunedin on the following Sunday. From Queenstown, Lord Allenliv will motor over the Crown Bunge, through Central Otago, and arrive at Dunedin on Friday, Feb. 4th. Tie will spend February sth. at Dunedin, and he in Christchurch on Sunday, Fob. 7 tli. After returning to AVellington lie will proceed via Napier to laupo, Wairakei. Rotorua, and hack io Aucklucl. whence he will sail for Vancouver oil February 16th. CONSPAIPTfON OF LIQUOR AFTER HOURS. NAPIER. January 2d. The Magistrate gave his reserved judgment in the Police Court in a case in which the licensee of the Caledonian Hotel was charged with allowing liquor. though purchased before closing hours, to lie consumed on the premises alter hours. The alleged offence took place when Ihe Napier Law Society held its annual dinner on the premises.

His Worship held that the licensee \v;i.s responsible for a broach ol the Act. though the certificate gave the Law Society exclusive use of the room for the night, the liquor was consumed in the room after eight. His Worship convicted Lhe licensee and thought he was acting in conformity with the law. lhe licensee being convicted and discharged. electrocuted. AUCKLAND .Tan. 25. An inquiry into the death of William llinks, aged 20, a gang foreman, employed by the Auckland Electric Power' Board, was held before Mr ,T. W. Boynton. S.M.. Coroner. Hinks was killed instantly at Mangerc on January 18th. while working on a 1100 volt line. The evidence, showed that the lines men in tho Board’s employ are expressly forbidden to work on high tension “live” wires, and that work on such lines is not to he commenced until the men are notified that the lines havo been made “dead.”

Oliver Mathicson said lie gave Hinks a. list of jobs to be done after the Hue had been made “dead.” and particular work at Mangerc was included on the list. No man was allowed to touch high tension wires until witness told him that the line was “dead.” Hinks was a most cautions man, and had a wide experience. In answer to the Coroner, witness suggested that over zealousness on the part of Hinks was tho only reason for his action. The finding was that death was due to electrocution, no blame being attachable to anyone.

SHOCKING ACCTDI3NT ON RAILWAY. DUNEDIN. Jan. 25. A shocking fatality occurred at the Milton Railway Station this evening, when the South-bound express from Dunedin to Invercargill was drawing into the railway station platform. A young man. named Robert L. Barlow, aged about 22 years, employed as an engine cleaner at Invercargill was a passenger by the train. On arrival at Miltfln. lie was standing on a carriage platform, and was waving to his brother, who was the engine driver on a train standing at a siding. Evidently the young man overbalanced, and he fell between the carriages. He was killed instantaneously, several carriages passiug over his body. Both arms were practically severed, and his head was badly crushed. An inquest was opened before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M. Evidence of identification was given bv the deceased’s brother, Charles Barlow, engine-driver, residing at Clinton, and the inquest was adjourned to a future date.

WHAT AN ARGUMENT T.ED TO. CHRISTCHURCH! Jan. 25. An argument as to whether certain dogs were greyhounds or whippets led to a fight on Saturday night, and fe a result,'John Wakefield, a Maori.

aged 27, and Alfred R. Carey, aged 20, appeared in the Court charged with assault. A witness stated that lie was taking some greyhound pups along the street, when Carey and “Wakefield got into conversation with him about the dogs. Later, someone passed an insulting remark, and a fight ensued. Carey said that the remark which started tile trouble was directed at the Maori. The latter said the remark was made about the Maori by three men, and a fight liegan. The owner of the dogs, joined in, according to Wakefield, and “what with people trying to get him out of the light and others trying to get him in,” he was not clear ns to what happened. He denied that he struck a woman w.ho was knocked over in the scuffle. Each of the accused was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment for assault.

HON. ROLLESTON CONGRATULATED. TLMARU, January 2d. A public meeting was hold here yesterday to offer congratulations to the Hon J. E. Eollcston, member for Timaru, on his elevation to the Cabinet. The speakers were the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace), AH T. R. Garrick (Chairman of the Levels County Council, representing the rural portion of the electorate), and Air Af. .T. Knublov (President of the Daw Society). Reference was made to the public service rendered to the district by the member whose appointment was said to give universal satisfaction in the electorate. JOCKEY’S INJURED. TWO RIDERS IN HOSPITAL. PALMERSTON NORTH, Jan. 22. As a result of being thrown at the Foxton races to-day. two jockeys, A shiv Jenkins, aged 1!) years, residing in Warwick Street, Fielding and IfectoiGordon, aged 21, were admitted to Ihe Palmerston Hospital. Jenkins is thought to have fractured his right jawbone and suffered considerably from shock. Gordon is suffering from shock and bruises all over the body. It is belJcvcd that ho ha's fractured the right ankle. He will undergo an X-ray examination. AIUAYA’S volunteer seamen. NGAIO’S SFjAAIEX REFUSE TO CARRY them.

AVELLTNGTON, Jan. 2G

Just after the Anchor Company’s steamer Ngaio left the wharf last night en route for Nelson, she was observed to stop and eommenco signalling to the Harbour Board’s tower, the signals indicating that she proposed to return to the wharf.

Trouble arose over the fact that she was <*arrying. as passengers, several of lho volunteer crew who took the Arawu home and the seamen ret used to sail with them. The captain was therefore forced to return to put the men objected to off. They landed with their luggage in the presence of a large crowd, alter which the steamer resumed her journey.