DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TEBEGIUril —I'Kit PKESS ASSOCIATION.]

A FARMED KILLED. II AWED A, March 10. Harry Hamilton, aged 42, was found dead at his farm at Manutahi yesterday. lio went out early to bring in horses. A search subsequenlty disclosed his body lying on a rifle close to the house. The rifle had been discharged, the shot entering deceased’s heart. Hamilton Brothers have lately been troubled with sheep worrying and dc- < cased was in the habit ot carrying a rifle, honing to shoot marauding dogs. Apparently be slipped and fell on the rifle which exploded.

BUSH FIRES IN MARLBOROUGH.

TIM RED MILLS' NARROW ESCAPE

BLENHEIM, March 10. A serious hush lire last night threatened to sweep away two sawmills, huge stacks of sawn timber and the cottages for the workers. As it was the residence of one of the mill workers was totally destroyed. The mills are situated in the Finbin Valley of Dolorous Sound and belong to W. Cut and Briunt Bros. Details gathered from a Havelock source state that the fire started yesterday afternoon at about throe o clock on the property upon which the mills stand and a change in the wind to nor’-u-o-st led to tile file getting out of control. Fanned l>y this 'heavy wind iho flames bore down on the timber mills. At the roadside the hush was humin'*; fiercely and sending up billowing volumes ol smoko. The entire stall's of the two mills wore turned out as a fire fighting force to do battle with the ilamcs and '‘protect the building. A whore belonging to Mr Gardner fell a victim, to the lire. As darkness fell the battle was still in full swing. The fire appeared to have a stronger bold than over and the gallant fighters wore well nigh, dropping with exhaustion, whilst many were overcome with smoko. Fearing that the mills would be destroyed, its well as the dwellings of over one hundred souls, comprising the settlement, an urgent, S.O.bt. call for reinforcements was sent out to the surrounding (tslricis. With the burning of Coleman’s bouse the bone of saving the mill itself was practically abandoned, but the lulling wind inspired the weary men to renewed efforts and the progress of (he flames was tit last stayed at 7 o’clock this morning. It was fortunate that Dr Clymont accompanied the Havelock contingent to the scene, for lie was called upon to treat many cases of minis and collapse.