DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

i BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION*3

FRENCH SAILORS’ TRIBUTE. DUNEDIN, February 1

To-day at noon was performed one of those graceful acts so characteristic of the French people, when Captain Decoux, of the French sloop Cassiopee, before a large crowd, laid a wreath on the memorial to the fallen soldiers, which is now being erected in Dunedin. A body of men from the boat- paraded, and four pipers from the Exhibition Band were present. Ihe Union Jack and the tri-colour were floating side by side at the masthead. The Mayor and representative military officers attended.

Captain Decoux paid a glowing tribute to the Now Zealand soldiers and their deeds in France. He assured the relatives of those men who lie buried in France that the French guarded their hallowed graves with the loving tenderness they devoted to those of their own sons.

Mr Tapley accepted tlic wreath on behalf of the relatives of the fallen, and referred to the thoughtfulness of the sailors in their touching tribute to our men. The ceremony was concluded by the singing of the National Anthem and the “Marseillaise.” AITS HAP TO SOUTH EXPRESS. OAAfAT’U, February 1. A mishap occurred to the Christ-chureh-Tnvorcargill express at about 12.10 p.m. to-day. AVltcn the express was nearing a level crossing about- nine miles from Oamnru, the driver saw two horses harnessed to a grass-cutter waiting at the crossing. He sounded bis whistle some distance before reaching the crossing, but when the express was within a few yards of the mower one of the horses pulled on to the line nnd the express struck it full on. The animal was killed instantly. The other horse narrowly missed the engine, and bolted along the side of the lino dragging the mower, on which a lad was riding, with it. The boy, whose name was Emerson, pulled the frightened animal to a. standstill, and the driver of Hie express immediately applied the brakes and stopped the train. The lad Emerson bad a miraculous escape from .loath, and the engine of the express, apart from a few stays being bent, was not damaged. Tn consequence of the accident the express was late in arriving at Oamnru.

obituary. AYUT.LTNGTON, Feb. 3. Obituary—Lewis P.. 'Wilson, aged 77. He arrived in New Zealand in 1807. The Into Air Wilson was for a long-period in the Afaritto Department* and then entered business in Wellington. Ho was identified with tho opening of the Kelbtirn Suburb, and for years was secretary of the Kelbtirn Tramway Company. A PROTEST. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 2. The following telegram was dispatched to the Prime Minister last evening: “We most definitely protest, against any approval by the Government on any arrangement with wheat-growers, millers, or other ilit rested parties Hint will detrimentally affect the great mass of consumers by increasing the price of bread. This decision was arrived ar by the Representative Committee of Labour bodies.” Tho telegram is signed by .Messrs D. (I. Sullivan, M.P.. F.. J. Howard. AI.P.. ami Jl. T. Armstrong. ALP.. .1. Ale-Combs, W. -I Green (secretary I .R.C.). P. 0. AYcbb and F. Robson.

op'll ).M F.TR I STS’ CON UK 11 KXCK DUNEDIN. I-Yb. 2

The fifth animal conference ol the »w Zealand Institute of Optometrists opened at Dunedin to-day. the Mayor extendin'.' a cordial welcome to the delegates. Mr 11. S. Bilbcrd. President-' (Wellington) staled that the Kxccutivc bad seen Mr Young. the new Minister of Health. wlm was: ~u j (c in sympathy with their aims, am! had held out great hope ol getting tin Optometrists’ Bill through 'he next, session. ' I’d’lttKD IN A BUNKER. DUX ED! X. February 2. Daniel Dccourcv. aged 20. a trimmer on the Manuka, had a narrow escape from serious injury to-night, as the steamer was leaving Dunedin. He was jammed in'a fall of coal in a hunker, and the captain put in to Port Chalmers. As the coal was dug away, more fell in. An acetone plant was brought into use. hut before the bulkhead was cut away, Dccourcv was liberated in an exhausted state, no hones being broken JOCKEY'S DEATH FKO AI 1X JFHI ES AUCKLAND. February 2. The death occurred at the hospital to-dav of bid ward Preston, the jockey, aged 22 years, who was injured through his horse falling in the hurdle race at Taka puna last Saturday. CHILD FAT.VI.BY SCALDED. WANCANCI. February 2. Albert Thomas Busch, aged two years and len months, fell into a tub of scalding water while his mother was washing to-day. He was fearfully scalded and died shortly after admission In the hospital.

FATAL FALL FBOAf HORSE. TAUAI ARUNUf. February 2

Carl Heck, a well-known sawmill manager, met with a fatal accident this afternoon. He was riding a lmrse along the mail about three miles from Tauvnu ntnui. A Hindoo scrub-cutter in the vicinity hoard the horse galloping hard, and, on going to investigate, found Beck lying unconscious, face downwards on the road. A doctor was called and he pronounced life extinct. riirsHED against wharf. ( 111! ISTCH CftCl 1. February 2. Anthony Bnlgor. a single man. employed as acting deck hand on th Lvtteßon Harbour Board Dredge, To Whaka, was crushed between the vcsol and the wharf to-day. Me was removed to the hospital where he died.