DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[nr telegram- -per press association.] A LORRY CRASHES. WELLINGTON, June 10. A little before noon yesterday people in the vicinity of Manners Street west were alarmed by 'a sudden crash, followed by the wrenching of torn woodwork. On investigation it was seen that the verandah of the “Hat Box,” a two-storied clothing anti mercery store, nezt the Britannia Theatre, was I down at one end so dangerously Dial it behoved i>edestrians to take the road in passing the spot. Jammed against the last of four posts was a motor-truck, which Karl carried away the other three ere it dune to a stop. The driver in charge was a voting Chinese, who had with him a compnnion, who was only learning to drive. The truck was the property of Wong She. From what could he gathered it seemed as thought ihe learner had been at the sleering-wbcel, and he had managed to accelerate when his intention was to put the break on, with Ihe result that the veranda poles went down like ninepins, and, minus its support, down crashed (he verandah, A const able was soon on the spot, but found some difficulty in getting the names of the driver and owner of the truck. The Chinese were so excited that they could not be induced to comprehend the duty of the officer. “Wkht is your name? I want your name.” said the constable. The only reply was seemingly meaningless. “Wait a hit, now,” the constable said. “First I want your name.” Eventually the names ,or something like them, wore secured, and Wong She was ascertiiiued to be the owner. The truck, which was nob badly damaged, was insured. The damage done to the shop, smashed plate-glass windows, and a collapsed verandah (which had to he wholly removed), is a matter for assessment. HANDSOME PRESENT. WELLINGTON, June ID. At a complimentary social tendered to Mr R. A. Armstrong, president of the Wellington Trotting Club, to-night, there was an attendance of about 100, including the Hon R. F. Bollard, Ihe Mayor. Mr C. J. B. Norwood, and Mr George Baildon, Mayor of Auckland.

On behalf of the- members of the dull. .Mr Bolltird presented All' Armstrong with a motor-car and a grandfather’s clock. Many speakers eulogised the services of MV Armstrong for the Wellington Trotting Club and for trotting generally, and more particularly in regard to his efforts in connexion with tile last Gaining Act Amendment Bill.

MESSAGE !• ROM MU COATES. WELLINGTON, -lime !(!. As reported in to-dny’s cablegrams, message from the Prime Minister (the lit. Hon J. G. Coates) was read at the annual New Zealand dinner in London. The following is the text of the message forwarded by Mr Coates : “Mv colleagues and l send warmest greetings to'our kinsfolk assembled at tlio annual New Zealand dinner. 1 am glad to say that the Dominion is prosperous, and its progressive development continues. Our citizens are standing fast in their loyalty to our Sovereign. and firm in their determination to do all in their power to foster the ciausc of Empire unity.”