DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TEI.F.GIUrn —PER PP.ES3 ASHOCIATION.] AX ACTOR HURT. AUCKLAND, April 13. Mr Edward Warrington, a member of a theatrical company, sustained painful injuries to bis face as tbe result of tbe explosion of a blank" cartridge in tho course of a matinee at the Opera House to-day. Warrington was standing near the muzzle of the revolver, which was to he fired by another actor, and on the charge being exploded, bo received burns to his face. Mis injuries were not severe enough to necessitate his retirement from the performance, hut at the conclusion it was thought advisable to summon a doctor. Warrington’s condition is not serious, and it is hoped that he will he able to rejoin bis company in a few daws’ time.

CHILD BADLY SCALDED. AUCKLAND, April 13. A painful accident, resulting in Douglas Fray, aged 11 months, receiving severe injuries, through upsetting a bucket of hot water over himself, occurred this morning. The child, who lives with his parents at Waimauku. was endeavouring to pull himself into an upright position hv gripping the edge of the bucket. The result was that it was upset, and the contents were thing over him. Medical attention was secured, and the boy was brought to Auckland Hospital, where he now lies seriously ill. A PECULIAR CASK. AUCKLAND. April 13. A maintenance case of a most unusual nature came before tho Police Court this morning, when a. sea. captain made application for the cancellation of an order for the maintenance of a child. The order was made ten years ago. It was for 25s per week, the child having been sent to a State home. -However, the order has since been reduced on several occasions when the matter came before tho Court, and latterly it had been for 10s per week. In support of the application, Mr Gnlcnby stated that applicant had been supporting the child, which was black, although he knew full well that it was not his child. His wife was a white woman also, and for tho sake of appearances, lie had been maintaining it. It was not until recently that he was able to prove that the child was not his. Counsel produced an affidavit from a medical man stating the child was palpably black, and had very little European blood in it. Sergeant Cahvell, wlm appeared for the Police and tho Education Department, stated that the arrears amounted to £2B. These should he paid if possible, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in cancelling the order, expressed the opinion that the order should never have been made. RECORD CROPS OF APPLES. GISBORNE, April I I. . Never before in Poverty Ray have such crops of apples matured in the orchards as during the present season. The growers are busy packing for export and over eight thousand cases will he shipped abroad. Tho orchards, as the result of the introduction of the aphelions male, have been cleared of the woolly aphis. MINISTER OF LANDS. NELSON, April 11. Tho Minister of Lands (the Hon A. : D. McLeod) is at present in the Nelson district on departmental business and among other matters lie will inquire ' into the deterioration of lands. ' The Minister was accorded a civic j reception after which lie met depute--tions and .subsequently visited the i Cawthrou Institute and colleges. He : lett for the Hoys’ District, this morning and proceeds to the West Coast on Friday. < A CAL’ OVERTURNS. HAMILTON, April 12., An accident which, by ;i miracle only, was unattended by serious consequences. occurred about a mile from Cambridge, on the Main Rotorua rood yesterday. A party consisting of Mr L Arthur Brett, of Auckland, Air Harry Kanlf, of Hamilton, Air and Airs W. .1. Ward, and Air A. 1). Sayers, of Cambridge, were proceeding outwards from the last-named place wlicii suddenly , the wheels struck a series of pot-holes in tho road, causing the car to get out of control and turn a complete sinner- ' sun 11 over a hank on the side of the road. None of the party was seriously hurt, all escaping with a shock and minor abrasions. r l he car was very , badly damaged. The hood was ripped off, the front axle bent, the steering wheel completely smashed, and the body was also seriously dented. The injured passengers are progressing well, hut will ho confined to their homes for a few days. A COTTAGE EUtE. GISBORNE. April i-l. Following on an inquiry into the fire which destroyed the dwelling of Frank Harry Doreen at Ormond on .March 10th.' the Coroner in his verdict said that theye was insufficient evidence to enable him to conclude that the premises were deliberately ignited bv Doreen. AIR REMBER REEVES. AUCKLAND. April 12. “You have received me as a returned exile and have made me happy. I have been in New Zealand five months, but the only unhappy day will be the day of inv departure,” said tho Hon. A\ . Peniber Reeves to an interviewer yesterday. , . ATr Reeves has revisited his native land and tho scene of his political labours after an absence of 30 years, and will leave for London by to-morrows mail steamer. Air Reeves departs with happiest memories ol New Zealand revisited. ~ , “This is a trulv heautitul country. I sav it advisedly, and not because T was born here and wish to he complimentary. t have seen 20 countries, some of them verv lovely, but Uroic is not one in which life is pleasanter, or the people more happy. 11 ' :,ls been mv business here to look belo.i the surface and find out whether anything is wrong. Visitors are generally expected to praise extravagantly oi to blame in tbe same degree. I see no reason to do either, but I can honestly sav that Now Zealand is inhabited bv a verv line race of people, healthy and intelligent, and tar above the average of tbe world.” As a corollary, Mr Reeves feel tlmt immigrants to the Dominion should be chosen with care, and only the best admitted. Ho recognises that tbiy country cannot absorb more than a km*«d number of new people each yc ai. who find place in the life ot New Zo. land should count themselves fnrtunat. indeed, so that there is every wasot for accepting only those , worthv. Mr Reeves says be eaves New Zealand confident in its future. Ho hopes to return on another visit In about two years. DRUNKEN MOIORIST FINED. AUCKLAND, April 14. At the Police Court Air Hunt, S.AL ' fined Edward Ashton Adams £4O and cancelled bis license for being drunk “ while in charge of a motor lorry.