DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] FOUND DEAD. GISBORNE, April 24. James Puttish, a shepherd on Ruakituri Station was missing since dinnertime yesterday. Later be was found dead on the floor of the station office with a gun lying close to the body. Deceased a few months ago was kicked in the head by a liovso and had not quite recovered from the injury.

STRANDED TANGAROA. GISBORNE, April 24. It is reported from Wairoa that tho stranded 'Tangaroa lias been hauled one hundred feet towards deep water and it is hoped in two more tides she will be floated. STR ANGE FISHES. AUCKLAND, April 23. Three more specimens of a fish, until recently a stranger to New Zealand waters, were caught near White Island by Mr J. Williams, of Tauranga, while fishing from a launch. The first fish was caught about a fortnight ago, and was identified by Mr L. T. Griffin, assistant curator of the Auckland Museum, as the escolar. Four other fish were hooked, but- after great struggles they escaped. The length of one of these was estimated at- 10ft. while those actually caught averaged sft Gin. The principal habitats of the escolar are in the Afediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, where it is generally found at- moderate and considerable depths. Its colour is a uniform purplish brown or violet- black, and instead of scales it has a skin completely covered with dermal tubercles, each terminating in several spines. Two speciments of the escolar are l>eing forwarded to the Auckland Museum curator, Air G. Arche}’, who is aery anxious to secure one intact-. One of the fish was cut up and cooked by some Tauranga residents. Itproved very delicate, with a flavour similar to hapuka. The success attending the endeavours to secure more escolar seems to prove that, the species is to be found in largo numbers in the vicinity. POPPY DAY. DUNEDIN, April 23. Poppy Day here was a great success,

and last year’s excellent total was exceeded by almost £IOO, with country boxes yet to come. 'To-dav’s total was £630. Tho Exhibition proved a good hunting ground for the sellers of tlie flowers. AUCKLAND, April 23. The Poppy Day proceeds in Auckland to-day wero £1273. Several outlying districts have yet to send in thenreturns. INCENDIARISM. DANNEVIRKE, April 23. At Ormondville yesterday, ■ William Henry Thomas pleaded guilty to a charge of wilfully setting fire to a store at Norsewood. He was committed to tho Supremo Court for sentence. Albert Graham Gleeson and Herbert Gleeson, on a similar charge pleaded not guilty, and were committed for trial, bail being refused.

BOOKMAKER FINED. AUCKLAND, April 21. For carrying on the business of a bookmaker at Auckland on February 23. a fine of £SO was imposed on Charles Oakley Clarke (Air Indcr), in the Police Court. Chief-Detective Cummings said accused, who was now living in Christchurch had been betting in Auckland for sonic months under an assumed name. He had been carrying on a large business and- on the date mentioned in the charge had laid a double with a man, with tho odds at 33 to 1. Ills liabilities in Auckland were heavy. However, the police were satisfied that he was now engaged in a legitimate occupation. Air Inder said Clarke had been perfectly frank about tho whole matter when interviewed, and had not tried to prey on the sympathies of a jury by electing trial in tho Supreme Court. The Alagistrate, Mr Hunt: If lie went before a jury and had not paid his bets ho would not have got off. Counsel added that accused had promised not to continue bookmaking. He had only just started in his new occupation.

A fine of £SO, in default three months’ imprisonment, was imposed.

Air Inder: Would you allow time to pay, sir? Tho Alagistrate: What credit does this man deserve? Ho takes other people’s money and does not pay up when they win.

Tho Chief-Detective: .The State has first claim.

The Alagistrate: Ho can have three weeks to find the money.

HTNEAIOA’S ISLAND CRUISE. AUCKLAND, April 25. All the lepers living in the territory under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Government are to lie transferred to the largo Leper Station on Alokogai, Island in Fiji. The first part of tho work was carried out some time ago, when the lepers in New Zealand were taken to Fiji in the Government steamer Hinemon. Tlie vessel is due at Auckland on Tuesday from Niue Island, and next Thursday she will be despatched to Cook Islands to embark the lepers there and take them to ALukogai, Fiji. Sir .Maui Pomare "'ill be a passenger on the Hinemoa. Tie will be accompanied by'Alr J. D. Gray, Secretary for External Affairs. The Hinemoa "’ill first visit Rarotonga and then will go to Alangaia, Alauke, Atu Aititaki, Palmerston Island, Penrhyn Island, Rahahanga, Alanihiki, Pahapuka, Nassau and Apia. From the last-named port- she will proceed to Afakogai Island, After disembarking tho lepers at tho station she returns to Auckland. Her cruise is expected to occupy about five weeks. LEAK ON A LINER-. AUCKLAND, April 25. With regard to tho steamer Port Hardy, which arrived this morning from Liverpool, a cabled report from London a few weeks ago stated that she had sprung a leak in the Atlantic. An enquiry from the vessel shows that a little more water than usual was made in bad weather, but the leak was immaterial. No repairs we.'e required at Colon. No damage was done to the cargo ——