DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH- -rER PHESS ASSOCIATION.] MOTOR SMASH IN QUEEN STREET AUCKLAND, Juno 27. A little before five o’clock on Saturday evening, a large live-sea ter motor car got out of control, and, shooting across Queen Street, out of Durham Street, it knocked down two pedestrians, then smashed a targe plate-glass window in Whitcombc and Tombs’, and finally smashed a thick iron verandah post, The whole incident is shrouded in mystery. No one seems to he able to account for the car’s dash across busy Queen Street. The owner of the ear, Mr Percy A. Bruford, had occasion to call in at the Commercial Travellers’ Club in Durham Street to collect some mail, and he left the ear outside the front door in reverse gear, and with tho hand brakes on. He was only in the Club for a few minutes, and on corning out to drive away again, lie was surprised to see his car dashing downhill towards the main thoroughfare.

A PLUCKY ACT. When the vehicle was abreast of Queen Street, a young m,an saw what was happening, and, with great presence of mind, he made a leap on to the running board and gave the steering wheel a violent twist in order to save: it from running over n lady and two little girls, who were looking in Stewart Dawson’s window. However, the car was travelling swiftly, in top gear, and he was unable to bring it to a standstill from his, precarious position. The car mounted the kerbing, knocked down two pedestrians, broke the window, and finished up again in the street, after it had broken the verandah. post in halves.

It was at once seen that one of tbc unfortunate pedestrians, a Maori. named Moulin Tiikeno, aged about 36, was seriously injured. Tho other man, whose name is William AY. R. Powlny, also about 35, was found to have sustained cuts and abrasions.

CARS COLLIDE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 27. Two motor cars fame into collision in Raknia township on Saturday, one being overturned, and one of the occupants, Rev. Tinsley, of Ashburton, was cut about tbo face and bead. The others escaped uninjured. burglars' ACTIVE. AUCKLAND, June 26. There were four burglaries in Auckland oil Friday liigbt. Two shops in Dominion Road were entered, and, goods were taken, whole a young man was caught in the Ferry Bookstall and arrested. Two men. broke into the garage of J. 11. Luxford, solicitor, Remucra, and took a motor car, which later was found outside a store in the Great South Road, which the men had broken into. They wer.c disturbed when they had got the safe to the footpath, and they vanished, leaving the safe and car there. MOTOR CYCLE FATALITY. NEW PLYMOUTH, June 28. A fatal accident occurred near Raliotu last night. A man named Lawrence with his wile and five-year-old girl were returning home on a motor cycle when Lawrence’s overcoat became entangled in the wheel causing the cycle to caps’gc. The child was killed and Mrs Lawrence received injuries to the head and shoulder. Lawrence escaped with bruises. MAN KILLED. AVATPAAVA. Juno 28.

Francis George Cliarpin, aged 48, married with two children, was killed at the Railway Station on Saturday night. The deceased, who was a resident of AA'aipukunui, was returning from the Hastings races. He alighted here but apparently lie delayed resuming his seat till after the starting signal was given, and in attempting to board the moving train lie fell between the carriages. Ilis body was shockingly mutilated.

RAILWAY AFFAIRS. WELLINGTON, June 28. Speaking at a smoke concert to the delegates of the Railway Officers’ Institute. tile Prime Minister referred to the delay in publication of D 3 (classification of officers’ department). Its detention was not in any way the fault of the Railway Board for it has been a week or ten days in his hands, as .Minister of Railways, but while lie had every confidence in Air Jones and his Board lie did want to thoroughly understand the reclassification before he “0.K.-ed” it ami therefore he hoped they would overlook the slight delay in its production. The next tune he hoped to have it out early in the year so that they could look forward to a welcome change. In regard to llie regrading authorised hy the legislation last year, that would not bo found in 1)3, but in next year’s edition, whatever its merits or demerits were for the matter was being considered not only hy the Board but also by other officials and would be the nearest to the merit system that could be adopted. He could not lay too much stress on the necessity for training young officers and at least four young men should lie sent abroad annually to train hy exchange or otherwise on other railway systems so they could serve the Dominion more efficiently when they returned. The senior men would leave- the service when their turn came, so that everything should l>e done to educate the officers to efficiently fill their places. The desire was not only to prevent the service becoming insular or circumscribed in its outlook, but to procure a better railway system. He also urged the Board to fix a regular time to meet and discuss problems with the members of the different Departments.

WHEAT AND FLOUR. AUCKLAND. June 28

Commenting on the Canterbury floui milling position, Air Pratt (Manager of Northern Roller Afilling Co.) said there had been only a half crop harvested in New Zealand, and growers considered they were entitled to as high a price as possible for it. The only remedy was for a remission of duty on Australian wheat to enable New 'Zealand millers to grind and market the flour at- a price that- could compete with Australian flour. The Minister of Agriculture lias been asked to remit duty or some of it on-wheat, but so far without result. Millers could not pay the prices asked bv local for their wheat, and cion if they did the local supply was only sufficient for about- a month.

INJURED BY SHOT-GUN. WELLINGTON, June 25. At Pnkekche, Barney Flavell, aged 15, was wounded by a shot-gun exploding, the charge entering his neck.

OVERTIAfTJ RATES. DUNEDIN, June 25. At a meeting of the Dunedin General Labourers’ Union it was decided that in view of the alleged failure of the Exhibition Company to pay overtime to labourers employed at the Exhibition, the matter be referred to the Union’s solicitor, with instructions to take the action necessary for recovery of the-amounts. INFLUENZA. WELLINGTON, June 28. Influenza is depleting the attendances at- the schools but so far the

authorities have not thought it necessary to close the schools. A rumour to this effect was current on Saturday but was promptly denied. It was stated that though many scholars were absent the epidemic is not serious enough to wlirrant closing down. In most cases they were only absent for a day or two and the trouble showed signs of lessening in severity. RAILAVAYMEN’S PAY. WELLINGTON, June 28. Tho Railway Officers Institute conference discussed salaries urging increases commensurate with the onerous nature of the duties and thrit steps ho taken through tho regrading of several stations to facilitate promotions in the lower grades. FLOUR MILLING INDUSTRY. CHRISTCHURCH, June. 28. The position that has arisen in regard to the flour milling industry in Canterbury, is undoubtedly a serious one and without precedent in the history of the trade unless something unforseen happens it is probable every mill in the province will be closed down soon. Stocks of wheat arc getting done and millers do not know where to buy further supplies at least at the price that they are prepared to iUy. CENSUS RETURNS. AVELLINGTON, June 28. The population of iirhin areas ot the four cities according to the recent census is:— Auckland 192,170, in increase of 34.419.

AVellington 121,324, an increase of 13,836. Christchurch 118,408, an increase ol 12,738. Dunedin, which had the advantage of Exhibition visitors, 85.103, an increase of 12,848. Tho only other places over 20,000 are AA'anganui 26,130 anil Invercargill 21.862. Auckland’s percentage of increase is 21.82, but New Plymouth’s 26.04 is actually tho highest. FATHER SOULAS DEAD. HASTINGS, June 28. Father Christopher Soulas died this morning, aged 80 years. Ho was born at Nantes, France, ami served in the Froncli-Prussinn AA’ar. He was ordained in 1878 and came the following year to Now Zealand whore lie devoted bis life to missionary work with the Maoris of Taranaki, AA’anganui River and Hawke’s Bay. He was also assoeited with Mother Joseph Aubert, in flic fouiultion of tho Order ot Sisters ol Compassion. For the last three years he has been in Hastings in retirement. APPEAL COURT. AVELLINGTON. June 28. The Appeal Court opened to-day hut confined its business to settling the dates of hearing. Only eleven cases are listed so far, including two applications t-o strike solicitors off the roll, and one for readinission. 0111NEM UR I LICENSES. AUCKLAND. June 28. At the Supreme Court this morning Judge Stringer was asked for an inir mediate hearing of two writs of prohibition issued against the granting of licenses in Oliinonmri district. Counsel said a writ of prohibition and certiorari had been issued against their clients, and the matter was of great importance so that the Committee in l’aeroa could get on with its work. His Honour agreed to hear the action on Friday morning.

KARAVTG PEST. AVELLINGTON. June 25. Orcharilists in Central Otago have become alarmed at the enormous increase of the earwig post, and a largely signed petition praying for relief has been presented to Parliament. Poison baits seem to have failed, the petition, states, while tanglefoot preparations are at. the best a deterrent. Spraying is out of the question, because the pest, attacks the limit as it is near maturity. As tho insect works at night, fowls and birds seldom meet it. It is claimed that if something is not done to. introduce a natural enemy of the pest, the fruit-growers of the province will he laced with disaster.

CRUELTY TO HORSE. DUNEDIN, June 25. Leslie Afalvcn Kanctu, a Aiaori, was Died £lO in the Police Court for cruely ill-treating a horse.

POSTAL OFFICIAL CONVICTED. DUNEDIN, June 25. Isaac AlcQueen, employed as a postal official, and also as a. railway porter at Lauder, pleaded guilty in the Police Court to stealing £7l, and was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence.