DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegraph—run i-bess association.]

DAMAGES AWARDED. WELLINGTON, March 1. Mrs Kathleen Kinky was awarded L'.TO with Cl 7 Ids (id costs on a claim for .92(10 for injuries received through a fall from a tramear last duly. Plaintill said that the ear was started while she was stepping to the ground, and she was thrown down and her hack was injured, resulting in several weeks’ medical treatment. Her recovery was not yet complete.

For the defence evidence was called to show that she had not risen from her scat, till the hell rang lor the tram to start.

Mr Page. S.M.. said that the plaintiff laid established her ease.

PEART’S APPEAL DISMISSED. (TIRISTC'fI FRCTI. March 5

The New /onland Racing Conference dismissed the appeal hv A. J. Peart (jockey) against the decision of the Rcefton Jockey Club in disqualifying him for six month*, and against the decision of the Grevmouth District Committee in increasing such disqualification to twelve months from January Sth. 192(1, on the grounds that the horse “ ('ashman.” ridden by Peart, was not run on it* merits in the Second Hurdle Race, at the Rcefton Jockey Chili's race meeting. Bth January. 192(5.

WEATHER SniMARV. WELLINGTON. March 5

The weather summary tor the past month was a* follows:—There was a remarkably cool temperturo, allowing tin* lowest February mean for fourteen years. Two or three very cold nights were experienced and some light frosts, which are most unusual, occurred at places widely apart. The daily weather charts for the first half of the month disclose the existence of three considerable areas of low pressure off the East Coast of the South Island. These accounted for strong southerly winds which prevailed and resulted in heavy rain* and cold. The total rainfalls in Otago wore from 100 to 200 per cent above the average for the month in previous years, and the weather altogether was unseasonable, it being the wettest February for thirty years. The rainfall was. however. from 50 to 00 per cent below the mean about. Nelson and Collingwond in the north western district* of the South Island. The rainfall was, however, from 50 to CO per cent below the average in most parts of the North Island. lint, Kawhia. Wanganui and Foxton Mere exceptions reporting rainlnlls above t he mean.

The latter halt' of tho month, though ,-cry changeable, exeept lor a scouh--rly buster ” about the 27th February, irnught welcome rains in Hawke’s Ray. vliich. however, still suffers from general dryness, which lias persisted ditrng the past six months.

SCHOONER FRANCE SAKE. INVERCARGILL, '.March 5. Will'd lias keen received I»y the lon. Mr Anderson (Minister ot Marne) by radio from Chatham Islands Init the missing schooner Irame arived at Pitt Island. She. was prevent'd from reaching Stewart Island by icavy gales. She is proceeding shortly o Wailangi in the I hatliams and lu-nee to Auckland.

LEVEL CROSSINGS. WELLINGTON. March 5. The North Island Motor I'nion <otiference, now sitting, discussed tin: level crossing problem, ami passed a resolution condemning level crossings m fin tire railway const met inn. Ml- A. E. .lull. representing ihe Counties’ Association, said that the Railway Department now showed a disposition to deal with the mat tel. He hoped that a. satisfactory system would lie found for order of elimination, and (list rilnition ol the ( 0.-i. The Chairman (Mr A. longo-io) said a, lot of accidents were due to daydreams at the u la-el. People *onn - times r;m into r in Inn'.l ni then eyes, owing to doing so sitlweoiiM-ioiis-I v. . Mr .lull said that ease* had occurred in Canada in which the drivers had complied with the law and stopped at a level cros-ing. am! then run into •' train . Mr ('. M. Ranks said crossings niu-l he either bridged or cleared for a mile each side. Gates and other devices were ;i mere <>i money. EXPLOSION AND FIRE. WELLINGTON. .March (5. An -explosion on the fishing launch Princess My re lying alongside Taranaki Street- wharf was billowed by flames enveloping tho little vessel. Maeo Bros., the own-.-rs. were in the cabin forward of the engine room at the time. They hurriedly clambered „ n deck and began pumping witter into the engine room. The Fire Brigade arrived and poured a large quantity of water into the launch which settled in the bottom. The vessel had just landed a catch of fish, and the only theory accounting for the explosion is Hi at somehow a. pocket ol I nines ignited on contact with the air. The launch was considerably damaged, and ns she was uninsured, the owners will he heavy losers. OBITUARY. CHRISTCnI'RCTI. March 15. Obtiuary.—Edwin Fox. of Rakaia. a well-known trotting official, committeeman and .steward of the New Zealand Metropolitan dull.