DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] P.O. MONEY ORDER. THEFTS. HAMILTON, April 7. A postal official of Hamilton, Charles Joseph Hugh Curry, pleaded guilty today, before Mr Wyveru Wilson, S.M., to nine charges of theft of moneys belonging to the Government, the sums aggregating £BO 14s 6d. It was shown that Curry had been employed in the Post and Telegraph Department for 17] ydars in different capacities, and latterly was engaged as clerk in the Money Order Office, where one of his duties was to take savings hank deposits. In nine cases cited, he occepted deposits. While entering them in the depositors’ hooks, he failed to make any entry on the department.il cards, and pocketed the money. Detective Sergt. Sweeney said that, when interviewed, Curry made a full confession. Some of the thefts were land and income tax payments. The accused put down his thefts Lo over-indulgence in drink, and said lie had arranged to make restitution of the misappropriated moneys out of his superannuation. The accused was lonimitted to the Supreme. Court at Auckland for sentence. R UGB Y FOOT HA Lb. WELLINGTON, April 7. The New Zealand Rugby Union Executive considered a cable from Mr Wray, New Zealand’s representative in London, stating that the English Union has rejected the proposal to set up an Imperial Advisory Board. A motion was passed regretting this decision, and stating that, although New Zealand would he represented at the next International Conference, it would not be represented later. The newly formed Victoria Rugby Union’s application for financial assistance was rejected. The Wellington (’ nion’s notice of motion that the Ranfurly Shield matches be played on the holders’ ground was referred io the annual meeting. MONEY MYSTERY. DUNEDIN, April 7. This morning four letter hags full of silver were found in Hallenstein Bros.’ right-of-way in Dowling Street, at the back of tho old Mutual Stores building. Other loose silver was scattered about tho ground. The labels on the hags indicated that the money belonged to David Livingstone, who controls several side-shows at the Exhibition, and an auctioneer’s business in Prince Street. Tho money was in two small bags, a suitcase and a leather bag, with a shoulder strap. The police are inquiring into the matter. Livingstone, when approached, said that the money represented takings at the Exhibition, and lie added that the takings were for more than one day. He could not account for the finding of the money at that spot, saying, however, that his place had been broken into.

Rumour had it that tin* hags had contained about: £1(8)0, and that sinister bloodstains had been discovered on the hags. Such a statement was unfounded as a reporter saw the bag at the police station. There was no sign of blood. The contents, too, had been somewhat over-es!bruited.

BLAZING BUS. AUCKLAND. April 7. ■Owing to a, leak in tho benzine tank, Mr P. H. Gallagher’s motor bus in tbe suburban service, caught fire late tonight. The bus was full of passengers who all got out safely. Two got through a. window of the bus. The flames almost destroyed the Inis, nml only died out when the benzine had all been burned away. The pire Brigade took control ot the fire, which attracted a large crowd. SERIOUS FT UK LOSS. ROTORUA, April 7. Fire destroyed Mr. Hickey’s farm building at Waiotapu last night. Four draught horses perished. Tho building was a very large one which contained implements, harness, much machinery, 40 tons of hay. The loss was approximately £IOOO. The fire is presumed to have boon caused by a naked light coming in contact with the hay. The insurances are almost nil. fatal pall. DUNEDIN, April 7. George Spence, aged 49, a labourer, married, died at tho hospital, as tho result, of a fall from a tramcar on Monday. Medical evidence showed that the deceased had haemorrhage of the brain, and the x-rays suggested the skull was fractured. Deceased, who was a returned soldier, was gassed in France, and suffered from a weak heart. SHUNTING ENQUIRY. WELLINGTON, April 8. The Board which was appointed to investigate the shunting .accidents on the railways, reports that for the six years ending June 1925, there were 8(39 accidents, 40 since fatal and 30 serious. Of these, prior to Carmichael’s death ,at Palmerston North, only two fatal accidents were caused by .shunting operations, which showed that with experience and care the work was not dangerous. During the war when inexperienced men were employed accidents were lower than in the succeeding year. In recent years there have been too many changes while the men engaged were not fitted for the work. Only picked men should he employed. Gas lighting was considered unsatisfactory and electrical lighting and additional lights are recommended.

The Board finds tho control good, except at Palmerston, North, but the majority of the yards are ineffective for the quick handling of traffic. They have been patched too much. The siding .accommodation to insufficient, the areas Iming too congested, and there are other faults, which the Board makes recommendations for improvement ; also improved foot rests to prevent slipping and a better system of coupling waggons.