DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

fBY telegraph--pee tress association.] ASSAULT CHARGE. CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 10. William Charles Drury (17) and Robert William Palmer (18) appeared before the Magistrate, Mr 11. A. Young, at the Police Court yesterday morning, charged with having assaulted Frederick Fisher.

Sub-Inspector Mathew said that Fisher was riding his bicycle along Lichfield Street when the two accused pulled him off his machine, took him into a shop and painted his abdomen with tar. Tile lads stated that Fisher had used foul language to them.

Air Haslain said that the facts had been correctly stated by , the police. The accused, however, said that it was not tar, but dirty linseed oil that liad been used. It was a dirty trick, hut not an uncommon one among hoys of that age. They were hard-working lads, and counsel asked that their names should he suppressed.

“This assault is of a serious nature,” said the Alagistrate, “but taking into account your ages, and the fact that the police have had no previous trouble with you, I shall not punish you as I would older persons. A’oil will each be admitted to probation for twelve months, and ordered to pay 2s 6d each, witness’s expenses. I do not think this is a case for the suppresson of names.”

RECLAMATION AT NAPIER. NAPIER, June 15

The Napier Harbour Board to-day adopted the report of the engineers on the reclamation proposals and decided to hasten the preparation of legislation authorising the raising of 025,000 to reclaim 618 acres of lowlands adjoining the borough. This will make available 229 town allotments for the borough expansion, and 500 acres of farm and suburban land. It also Was decided to proceed with the reclamation of two ponds at Port Ahuriri, making available a. considerable area for whatever purpose may to required.

SCARLET FEVER, TIAIARU, June 15

Scarlet fever is prevalent in Timarti. At tlic present time there arc fourteen cases in the Talbot Hospital.

NEW ZEALAND AUTHORESS. WELiAXGToN. June 15

A contributor to the “Evening Post” the other day reviewed the book “Sally in Rhodesia,” not knowing' the identity of the authoress. Ho now learns that Sheila Macdonald, the “Sally” of this golf-told Rhodesian narrative, was born and brought up on a Central Otago sheep run. The daughter of the late Air Scobie-Ala: kenzie, a wellknown ALP of thirty years ago, in her early twenties she married Air Walter Macdonald, son of the late Dr Alaedonald, then Rector of the Boys’ High School, Dunedin. Shortly before that Mr Walter ATac-donald had settled in Rhodesia, and their life there in 190712 is the ground work of the charming letters that constitute “Sally in Rhodesia.” The letters were written from South Africa to her widowed mother. Airs Scohie Alackenzie, then in London, but now residing in Tinakori road, Wellington. About a couple of years ago, Air Walter Macdonald died, so Sheila is herself a widow, today resident in England, where she divides her time between looking after the family of four that figure in “Sally in Rhodesia,” and her literary labours. A novel is said to be projected, and admirers of her Rhodesian effort will wish it. to be an equal .success. She is a niece of Sir Fran; is Bell.

GOLD IN GABRIEL’S GULLY. DUNEDIN, June 15

The directors of the Gabriel’s Gully -Sluicing Company, Lawrence, which consists of eight shareholders, have declared a dividend of £125 per iiiem- „ her. During the past six months this company and the Lawrence Sluicing Company have in (-.injunction been operating on what is known as the boundary area, and the handsome dividend paid is a result of the agreement to work this area.