DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

USD OF RACECOURSES. CHRISTCHURCH, May 20

At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Chib to-day, Air W. 11. Norton, who is also a member of the Metropolitan Trotting Club, proposed that these two clubs should enter int» an arragnement whereby both could use the same course for their meetings.

On his motion, it was agreed to appoint a sub-committee to go into the j details of his scheme, and, if favourable, to confer with a sub-committee from the Metropolitan Club. Mr Norton’s scheme included a- proposal that tho Metropolitan Club should purchase, for cash, nine-nine-teenths of the Jockey Club's improvements, both clubs to become lessees of the ground from the trustees, and the future expenditure to he borne in the same proportion of nine to ten. the Jockey Club to have ten days’ racing and the Metropolitan Club ninedays’. The clubs would train and race on separate tracks, and remain a separate entity. Mr Norton detailed the benefits both Clubs would derive from the arrangement. He stated the idea was discussed by the Trotting Club. The Chairman, Mr George Gould, said the Jockey Club would give a willing ear to the suggestion.' It was difficult for him to see how a six-fur-long track could be made. The Club had some of the best training tracks in the southern hemisphere, and would think hard before spoiling them. Mr J. S. Barrett, a committeeman, supported the proposal. The motion was carried. . THEFT CHARGE. AUCKLAND, May 20. Stanley Hal Cawte, aged 19, who was a rested at Wellington, pleaded ■guilty to the theft of four hundred pounds from Smith and Smith, Ltd., and to the theft of a ear valued at £229, tho property of William Rental Cars Ltd. He was committed for trial. DENTAL OPERATION FATAL. AUCKLAND, May 20. Donald Keith Mclndoe, aged 15, residing at Manurewa, was sent to the General Hospital from a dental hospital after teeth being extracted. Ho diod later. A post mortem has been ordered. SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS. WELLINGTON, May 20. The New Zealand Educational Institute conference decided to-day to instruct the incoming Executive to get into touch with the bodies interested with a view to securing ail extension of dental clinics to all schools. SUICIDE WITH GAS. AUCKLAND, Mav 20.

Suicide by gas poisoning was the Coroner’s verdict at the inquest on John Thomas Smith, aged 50 years, who was found dead in his room at a boarding house with gas escaping from a tube.

A WONDERFUL -ESCAPE. CHRISTCHURCH, May 20. Last evening when a train from Belfast was pulling into the Christchurch railway station, a passenger, Thomas Boole, tried to step off a carriage platform. Ho slipped and fell, but he bad the presence of mind to cling to the iron bar on the carriage. Poole was dragged for a short distance before the train pulled up. and his right leg was broken above the knee. He was taken to the hospital, where ho is now progressing satisfactorily.

water supply broken. AUCKLAND, Alay 21. The ALiyor has notified the citizens that owing to the phenomenal landslips at Nihotupu and AA'uitnkeria Ranges both gravitation mains have been carried away, and the water supply to the City has been almost entirely cut oil'. It is imperative that the consumption of water must be cut down at least one third. All hydraulic hits, baths, lavatories, water for building purposes and other extraneous consumption must cease until the normal supply is restored. No time is being lost in affecting repairs to both pipes and maintaining n limited supply lor essential domestic purposes". The .suburban bodies using tlie city water supply, are asked to adopt similar measures. HEAVY RAIN. GISBORNE, .May 21. Tho rainfall for the past two days totalled 3.10 inches. Heavier rain has fallen in AVaipu district and tho rivers and creeks are running high. AVAIPAAVA, Alay 21. The four Rugby players ordered off the field last Saturday came before the Sub-Union. One. who struck the referee was suspended during the pleasure of the union, one was suspended for a week and the other two were cautioned. TN ERUPTION. OH A KUNE, Alay 21. Ngauruhoe, which has been partially active lately, has been in active eruption during the week. From National Park to Storpito, the residents are able to discern huge stones rolling from the crater and at night gusts of flame have been seen. Earth tremors were felt at Kaetihi. The glow from the eruption is plainly seen at Ohakune and Rangataua. Columns of smoke were observed from over the side of Ruapehu. Elderly Alnoris state the conditions are similar to those prevailing prior to the Tarn worn eruptions in June, 1886. AUCKLAND’S WATER SUPPLY. AUCKLAND. Alay 21. On Nihotupu line, an extensive washout carried away 120 ft. ot the twentyfour inch pipe line, ft is estimated permanent repairs will occupy two or three weeks. Water from Quin’s Creek at that point has been turned into tlie pipe at the city side of the break, securing about, one million gallons per day. Sufficient pipes to make repairs are available near the washout. Investigations show serious breaks ill the main from Waitaker reservoir. The engineer found numerous slips*, hundreds of tons of earth having come down the mountain sides. Tlie most serious break was there. .Four pipes of the twenty-one inch main have been dislodged. He hoped to he able to construct a temporary flume to bridge this gap. and partially restore the service to-day.

AUCKLAND FLOODS. AUCKLAND. Alay 21Auckland to-day entered on its fourth .day of heavy, continuous rain. Scores of cellars in the city are flooded and there is considerable damage to goods. There is extensive flooding in the suburbs and back yards are becoming miniature lakes. Some houses are almost cut off from the roads. A York oil the wharves is almost at a standstill. For forty-eight hours to midnight. the rainfall was 6.85 inches. Reports of damage are in front- many country places- Puhoi River Inundated Puhoi store and post office. The main street was four feet under water, the river covering the bridge in the township. Serious flooding is threatened of AVaitoera A f alley. At AYaimuku, Huapai and Kumeu several roads are submerged and several bridges washed away. At Kumeu the_ railway station is isolated and the postmistress waded through water a foot deep for the afternooi} mail. The water rose later

in the post office to one foot deep. Along the southern railway line through the Waikato river, it is still rising. No serious damage is reported. FLOODS AT THAMES. THAMES, 'May 21. There were 2.17 inches of rfain fell for twenty-four hours to 9 a.m. to-day. Minor washouts on the railway caused the cancellation of the early train and a delay of one hour to the .express. The weather is moderating. LEAGUE SQUABBLE. AUCKLAND, May 21. The Council of the New Zealand Rugby League considered a letter from Sydenham Club protesting against the Council’s suspension of W. S. Moyle, who wrote that the question was one for the Canterbury League, which had decided that it would not accept the decision of the Council. After considerable discussion it wins decided that following the opinion of delegates at two special meetings held in Auckland, and one special meeting held in Wellington, tho Canterbury League should give effect to the instructions of the New Zealand League, resolving also that after the Canterbury League bad acted in a constitutional manner it would be competent for it to apply to the Council for the lifting of the suspension oil Moyle. Ihe motion was carried by 6 to 4.

CAPTAIN’S ESCAPE. AUCKLAND, May 21. Captain McLean, a ferry boat master, fell from Stanley Bay wharf during a heavy rainstorm, being carried away on the ebb tide. He was handicapped by his clothing, including n heavy overcoat. He clung to part of the wharf planking which fell with him. Lifebuoys were thrown and a boat was launched and a young man jumped in and swam to McLean, who was eventually towed ashore holding on to a dinghy. RAILWAY WASH-OUTS. AUCKLAND, May 21. There are several wash-outs on the railway.line between Auckland and Whangarei, and the service is interrupted at Phis end. Beyond Henderson all traffic on the northern line is dislocated. A slip at Newmarket end of the Parnell tunnel was discovered in time to avert an accident and was cleared away sufficiently to permit trains to pass cautiously. A slip between Knukapakapa and Kanolii held up the inward bound train due here at 6.12 last night. A relief train from 1 Lelousville encountered a wash-out near Pukonui anil it had to return and passengers had to he accommodated at Knukapakapa hotel. A wash-out near AYnimnuku compelled a train to return to Huapni and the passengers stayed at the hotel. A train which left the city at 4.5 p.m. for Kumeu encountered a wash-out and returned to Henderson. Many other wash-outs are reported on the northern line.