DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

(by TELEGRAPH—PER PREBB ASSOCIATION,

FLOOD DAMAGE. TAUAIARUNUI, May 4. The rain held off all day yesterday I but fell heavily last night. The riv- - ers, however, have not risen abnormali ]y. Tho smaller streams appear to > have caused most damage. Ellis and Burnand’s sawmill at Alanumii is closed down for a day or two while repairs are made to the tramline, about a mile from Alanumii. At this spot a washout occurred and the line was slspended in midair. Pukeweka Sawmill Coy’s mill will probably bo closed for some time owing to damage done yesterday to its bridges. This will throw a large number of men out of work. POPULATION OF BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM. May 4. The population of the Borough of Blenheim as revealed by the census taken recently shows <t substantial incrcnse on the figures elicited by the census in 1921, the increase being 635 and the actual population just 10 short of the 5000 mark. The figures for the heavily population surburban areas which are included in Marlborough County are not yet available. In the Blenheim Borough on census night there were 2.545 males and 2443 females, while there were also four Afaoris .thus bringing the total up to 4990, which included 258 territorials in camp on the show grounds. Tn 1921 there were 2126 males and 2221 females, while the Maori population was 8, giving a total of 4355. BLENHEIM NOTABLE DEAD. BLENHEIM, May 4. Obituary—William Pollard, the wellknown pastoralist of Marlborough, after on operation He was President of the Marlborough Patriotic Society, and Vice-President of Afnrlliorough Racing Club. Some years ago lie gave Waterloo Park to Blenheim Borough, lie was-73 years of ago. GLEXAFTON ST HIKE. AUCKLAND, -May I. There being no immediate prospect of the strike at Glenafton collieries, the management is removing the electric motors to the surface preparatory to sealing the mine enhance. The miners were given until noon to-day to remove their tools. The company has confirmed the previous decision that the men must return to work before further negotiations can be considered. A meeting of tho men will be held at Huutly to-day. BARLEY GROWERS. BLENHEIM, A lay 4. .Messrs Stuart Jordan and L. Hamniond are proceeding to Wellington today as representatives of the Blenheim Farmers’ Union in regard to barley growing contracts. They will be mot by a deputation from the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union Who will confer with them with a view to united action. TAKING BETS. CHRISTCHURCH. .May 4. For taking bets at Ellesmere Trotting Club’s non-totalisator meeting two residents of Leeston, David Mclntyre and William Melville Beynon were each fined £2O this morning, despite counsel’s plea that it was a picnic outing and the men were just punting as a pastime.

NEGLIGENT DRIVING. TIM All U, May 4. George Walter Brehaut pleaded guilty at the Supreme Court to-day to a charge of negligently driving a motor car and causing bodily injury, and was remanded for sentence. KARU ENQUIRY FINDING. AUCKLAND. May 4. The Court of Inquiry into the wreck of the steamer Kara near Cape Alaria on Feb. 3rttli. found the casually was caused by the vessel striking some objee on the bar as she came from Wlumgape Harbour. That tho vessel was seaworthy and well found. That Frank Saunders and Roy llavenswood lost their lives by drowning when endeavouring to get ashore from the wreck at Twilight Bay. The Alastcr’s certificate was returned, no order being made as to costs.

In the course of judgment in ihe Karu ease, the Magistrate said:—AVe aro of opinion that the damage to the vessel likely to he caused hv striking the bar in the manner disclosed by the evidence, would .not account for the vessel not making water for many hours and then, after fourteen hours when she met heavy weather and rough sea making water so last. 1 bat the vessel must- luive struck a rock on the bar or a sunken log and have carried a portion of the rock or log in her hull, until the heavy weather and sea caused it to he dislodged, when the vessel began to make water seriously. The Court expressed the opinion that tho master exercised the care that seemed to be usual with the mastci s working of bar harbours, taking the difficulties that presented themselves to hint and the fact that lie found his vessel making no water for many hours after striking the bar, although events showed that it was, in fact, the wrong course, but with the facts be bad before him, upon which to decide, we cannot say lie was wrong in bis judgment.

A TORNADO. NELSON. May 4

A tornado, confining itself to a narrow path struck portion of the city last night about ten o’clock and left in its wake considerable destruction to property. Fences were torn down, out houses destroyed and bouses more or loss damaged, while a large glasshouse was totally destroyed. Fortunately there was no loss of life but some householders had what is described as a terrifying experience. The tornado entne in from the sea, the track being roughly from the north-western cornel of Wainui St. in a south-easterly direction to Nelson Institute, Hardy Street. Then apparently it bad spent its force as no other parts of the town were affected. As a matter of fact there is nothing to indicate such an unwelcome visitation had occurred and no was injured although there were several narrow escapes. A stack of loose timber was hurled in all directions, some breaking the rusticating of bouses. One piece went clean through a bedroom window showering tho occupants with glass. MURDER CHARGE. DUNEDIN, -May 4.

At the Police Court, Patrick John Jager. charged with murdering Arthur Creagh was remanded till Monday, when the charge will he taken in conjunction with the inquest proceedings.

Tho natives have erected a locked gate across the line at the junction, and at present the company s supply of logs to the l.i K mill at Mangapeehi. one of the largest in the Dominion, is completely cut off. The manager states that lie has sufficient logs on hand to keep the mill wording for two or three weeks. The firm employs a very large number of men ■

[by TELEOKArn—rEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] .SLY GROG SELLING. WELLINGTON, April 30. In tlio Magistrate’s Court to-day Bridget Allen was fined £lO for selling liquor without a license. A constable visited her confectionery shop and bought some whisky. The raid disclosed a stock of beer, whisky and wine. George Charlton Hick was fined £lO for selling cider containing alcohol, without a license. a , BISHOP OF WAIKATO. ELECTION ANNOUNCED. HAMILTON, April 30. Archdeacon Cherrington, of Mauritius, was unanimously elected Bishop of Waikato at this week’s Synod, and has signified his acceptance of the position. REFLOATED. iWAIROA, May 3. As the result of shingle being scooped away during the last feu da\ s, and westerly weather causing the channel to work nearer the vessel the stranded Tongaroa was rcfloi.rtcd this moining and towed up the river to the wharf, practically undamaged. I! AT ANA PA. T Y P ll O l D~ SU SP KC'TED. WANGANUI. April 30. The Health authorities are displaying considerable activity nt present in regard to lhatana Pa where a supposed case of typhoid is the subject of investigation. It is understood that the ease occurred some weeks ago, and that the patient went over to .Napier. The investigations are all the more interesting seeing that recently an outbreak occurred at the Maori Pa at Napier. Dr Boyd. Medical Officer of Health for the Wellington district, paid a visit io Ratann recently and is back again in Wanganui making further investigations.

BRIDGES WASHED AWAY. TAI’MARUNUI. May 3

A tremendous downpour last night caused the rivers to rise rapidly this morning. The Wanganui River was not greatly affected by flood waters although running much above the normal level hut Ongarue River was high ami carrying much debris, with the result that T» ri i iga ha t-T ari ngaiiiotu Bridge was carried away at eleven o’clock this morning. This means that communication north of laumarunui Bond is now cut off. The bridge at the same place was carried away by last year’s Hoods. A stock bridge at Napier’s farm in Taringamotu Valley was also washed away. Fortunately the rain ceased about four o’clock this morning and has held off since. Had the rain continued the Wanganui would probably liatje risen to a dangerous height.

WHISKY STOLEN. AUCKLAND, May L Last Thursday night the Rugby League’s ground office at Carlaw Park was broken into, a ease of whisky, valued at £(5 10s being stolen. As the result of the inquiries that were unde three young fellows were interviewed. They were Albert Lewis Gipson (17), Arthur Frederick Roso (10) and Gordon Keith Banks (18), and the trio appeared at the Police Court, when the Magistrate. Mr F. K. Hunt, agreed to the suggestion by Chief-De-tective Cummings to reduce the charge to one of common theft. They all pleaded guilty. Mr Cummings said that the accused bad been .'at Carlaw Park on the night in question witnessing a practice game. They stole the whisky and. with the assistance of others, consumed four bottles. The rest of the whisky had been planted. Gipson was a deserter from the American Navy, and arrangements were being made by the American Consul at Auckland to send him back to tlio Stales by the Niagara when that vessel leaves Auckland on her next voyage to Vancouver. Both Rose and Blanks had been before the Court before. As Gipson is leaving the Dominion be was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Banks and Rose were each placed on probation for twelve months, and were also ordered to pay £2 3s -Id as restitution. NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS. AUCKLAND. May 2. The new Customs regulation under which preferential tariff does not apply to goods not possessing <SO per cent, of British value has been in operation for four weeks, and the period is not sufficiently long to demonstrate its full effect. In many eases goods landed since the beginning of the month are under inquiry, but several lines have been definitly proved to be more foreign than British, and therefore laivc lost the advantage of the preference they enjoyed when the qualifying proportion was 25 per cent. Among these are two makes of AmoTiean motor-cars, exported from Canada, both well-known in this country. Tlio importers admitted liability and are paying duty on tlio foreign scale. In the case of the third American car partly manufactured in Canada, inquiries are on foot, deposits of guarantees to cover the full duty having been obtained bv tlio Customs Department pending the decision. The Ford ear is not affected.

Among the imports from Britain formerly receiving preference but now being cl larged full duty are certain payer bags and paper goods, lubricating oils, felt and velour bats, silk neckties and furs.

A large number :«f articles have been queried, and in some cases import' have had to cable to London to ascertain the percentage of British created value. These include certain garments manufactured from French woollen materials. manufactured drugs, boots and shoes, and machine belting.

' RUNAWAY COUPLE. AUCKLAND, -May 3. After hiring a motor car in Auckland on Friday, April 23rd, Stanley Hale Cawte, 19, mysteriously disappeared, as also did a girl of 17 years of age. They were missing until Saturday last when advice was received that the pair had been arrested at 'Wellington. There whereabouts in the meantime were unknown. Cawte and the girl both appeared before -Mr Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this morning. Cawte was charged with stealing a motor car valued at £221, the property of ‘Williams’ Rental tflnrs Ltd. The girl, whose name was suppressed, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person. The girl was remanded until May 11th. Concerning Cawte, Detective Cummings said that there were some very special features. Cawte hired the car, and went to Wellington with the girl. He tried to sell the car at Wellington. There were defalcations amounting to about £IOO at the place where Cawte was employed. In addition, prior to this leaving Auckland in the car. a man had been knocked down by the ear. Detective Cummings said he desired to he heard on the matter of bail, if counsel applied for bail. Mr Glaister: “I ask for bail! Cawte’s father is in a good position, and lie is a decent, respectable man.” Mr Hunt: “ Well, what about £3OO bail?” Chief Detective Cummings: “Yes—that is if Your Worship considers that he should bo allowed out on bail. 1 admit that his father is a decent man, but there are some special features.” Mr Hunt: “What are they?” Detective Cummings: “Well. Cawte lias threatened to commit suicide. He also took a rifle away to AVellington with him.” Air Hunt: “When did ho make such threat?” Detective Cummings: “This morning.” Mr Hunt: “Very well! Oh I see! He is remanded for a week in custody.’’ PREMIER’S -MOVEMENTS. CHRISTCHURCH. May 4. The Premier arrived at Christchurch yesterday morning. TTc received a deputation from Ashley River Trust. He will afterwards attend a garden party at “ M.eadowbank,” Ellesmere, at which presentations will be made to Sir Heaton and Lady Rhodes and also a banquet to be bold at Leeston to- ' night in honor of Sir Heaton.