DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELECIBAPn — PEII PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WESTPO RT S EXSA TTON. WESTPORT, June 30. A rather sensational happening, but fortunately one not attended b.v serious accident, occurred close on five o’clock to-night as children wero .streaming out of the Theatre Royal, where they had been witnessing tho .screening of “Glorious New Zealand.” A grocer’s horse and delivery cart came round an adjacent corner, and darted up the street close to the Theatre, the children scattering in all directions. Tile horse flew up on to the footpath. There a shaft of tho cart got caught in a. fence and the horse broke iree. A , lad fell in front of tlie horse, tint it stepped over him, and another lad, Henry MacKenzie, I then got hold of it and retained his hold until the owner arrived on the scene and led it awav.

The only damage done, apart from the harness was the smashing of a verandah post, as the horse and cart came into Palmerston Street. While the horse was careering amongst the children, onlookers had a most anxious time, and it was difficult to understand how miraculously the loss of life or injuiry to limbs was averted.

PRISONER ESCAPES INVERCARGILL. June 30. An inmate of the Borstal Institution, named William Howell, who was serving a period of three years’ reformative treatment, effected an escape today about 2 p.m. lie was working with several others on tho edge of the bu*li on the Rorstal farm near the golf links, collecting fencing posts and manuka scrub. His absence was not noticed for some time. Eight officers from the Borstal and four constables are now searching for him at Otatara, where he was seen in the vicinity of the. golf links hy a resident. As lie iiad a good hour’s start, it is possible that sonic time will elapse before his recapture. He is 20 years of age, oft oiu in height, and of medium build, lie has a fresh complexion, dark brown hair and grey eyes. At the time of his escape, he was dressed in brown moleskin trousers, a blue moleskin jacket and a brown moleskin hat.

N.Z. RUGBY UNION. WELLINGTON, July 1. . The New Zealand Eitgliy Union received a telegram from the Bay of Plenty Union expressing dissatisfaction with the selection of the Maori team and demanding consideration for its district.—Referred to the Maori Board. Wngamii Union sent a strong protest against the methods of the Maori Board bartering with one Union against another for matches. It was decided to inform all the unions that negotiation for matches must he through the New Zealand Rugby Union. Canterbury asked for a match against tho Maoris on July 21st hut wore told that the fixtures had already been settled.

The manager and captain of the New Zealand team will lie asked while in Sydney to unveil a memorial to R. McGregor, the well-known Thames plaver.

SUICIDE. HASTINGS, June 28. diaries Gimblett, n hibouree, single, aged 48 .living alone in a Lent at Pakipnki was found dead on Sunday with his head blown olf. It is thought that the deceased put a plug of dynamite and fuse in his mouth, as his head and his hand were 'completely shattered. INQUEST. GISBORNE, June 3D. At the inquest, on Korop,a Pataka, a native, who died at Tokoinnru Ray. the evidence disclosed that no medical aid had been summoned for the deceased, who was suffering from consumption. Deceased was a member of the Ringatu religious sect. The Coroner recommended that the police should consider whether action lie taken in view of the failure to obtain medical aid.

WOAIAN .MOTORIST. AUCKLAND. June 30. “ This is a very interesting ease, and brings up one of those points that aie not often raised in this country,” said Mr J. AY. Boynton, S.AL, when announcing in the Police Court that, for the benefit of Justices ol the Peace and the Police, lie would deliver a written judgment in a charge of negligent driving preferred against Afargnret Esther Rogers.

The defendant was charged with negligently driving a motor car on Broadway, Newmarket, contrary to Section 28 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The case arose out ol an accident on January 8, in which Emma Thorhury, an elderly woman, died as the result of being struck by defendant's car. Previously Mrs Rogers was acquitted in the Supreme' Court on a charge under Section 27 on the Motor \ chicles Act of negligently driving a car on Broadway. Newmarket, so as to cause the (leatli of Emma Thorhury.

The point was raised by Mr McVeagli, who appeared for the dclemlant that with the omission of the relereuee to killing, the charge against the defendant, was the same as that which had been preferred against her in the Supreme Court, and that, as a person could not he tried twice tor the same offence, it must fail. Counsel therefore, submitted pleas: (I.) Autielois ncquiet, and (2) not guilty. Senior-Sergeant Edwards who prosecuted. quoted a case heard before Mi Justice Herd nmn at Hamilton, in which a man was brought before the Court on a cl mg re of indecent assault, which the Justice reduced to a charge, of common assault, sentencing the- man to one month’s imprisonment. That did not interfere with the resumption of a charge of indecent assault. “ That is a. different matter.” said the Magistrate. “There is no analogy in the charges.”

‘•But the facts were the same,” replied the senior sergeant. “ Quite so.” remarked the Magistrate" “but the charges differed.” “Our answer is that the man had not been imperilled on the . major charges, as was the defendant in this cased’ said -Mr McVeagli. Decision was reserved.

OIL ON THE WATERS. AUCKLAND, July 1. Advice has been received from the Minister of Marine that legislation will be introduced as soon as possible dealing with the discharge of refuse oi lin New Zealand waters hv oil tankers and oil burning vessels, which, is :i serious menace to the fishing industry.

N.Z. ALLIANCE. VIEWS ON AN EXPLANATION. AUCKLAND, July 1The executive of the Now /Zealand •Vliance lias received a letter from A. Thompson (member of the City Licensing Committee) who was absent from the meeting which granted the license for th,? Ambassadors Hotel, enclosing a letter from liis solicitor (Mr Gregory) who had advised him that in view of certain rumours as to the possibility of Thomson’s right to sit on the Committee being challenged, owing to being Chairman of Directors and a President of an Auckland Chartered'Club, he should not sit at the Licensing meeting on .Tune 3rd,

Thompson then decided to go to Wellington on Tramway business and wrote to tlie Chairman of the Committee explaining liis absence and apologising. He added that it was his intention to resign from the Licensing Committee. The Alliance passed a resolution that Thompson’s explanation was entirely unsatisfactory and that his failure to attend the meeting constituted a serious abuse of the confidence reposed in him, and a violation of the principles of good faith on which public life was founded.

A DRUNKEN DRIVER. PAHIATUA, .July 1. Arthur S. Winter, a farmer, pleaded guiitv to Being in charge of a motor car while in a state of intoxication, and also with driving in a manlier dangerous to the public. On the latter count lie was fined £lO and on the first charge his license was suspended till March 31st. 1927. Tlie police said the incident happened as defendant was returning from a clearing sale where he obtained liquor. Tn driving borne His ear struck another. Damage resulted to Winter’s car and also slightly to tlie other car. A youth. Arthur Vernon Stevens, for unlawfully converting a ear to his own use was fined £5 and on a charge of driving the same ear while in a state ol intoxication, his license was suspended till March 31st. next.

SHEARERS’ DEMANDS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 1. Objections to the shearers’ demands tor higher wages were put before tho Arbitration Court to-day by Mr Nicholson for the sheepfnrmers, who stated that tin' present was no a time of prosperity. Wool prices were again very low and tiic general costs iiad increased. It was u mistake to imagine that employers were all wealthy slieepfarmers for a majority were poor, struggling men.

NEGLIGENT DRIVING. AUCKLAND. .July I. Joseph Mercer, charged with, negligent driving on 22nd January when his ear smashed into a telegraph post at Pupal? lira, was sentenced hy Mr Hunt, S.M., to one' month’s imprisonment, the sentence being altered to a mouth and one day to enable an appeal. The Magistrate said the defendant was driving a ear which was badly smashed. One life was lost, and a girt lost her eyesight. He was sorry for Mercer, hut had come to the conclusion that lie had not taken the necessary care.

A RACING .MATTER. HAMILTON, July J. In regard to the utterances of Mr A. M. Samuel in the House of Representatives, in respect to Waikato Racing Club’s action in regard to the Labour Day permit of Waikato Hunt Club. Mr O. W. Vercoe (president of tho Racing Club) seen hy a reporter this morning had no comment to make, other than that the matter referred to was sub judieo and would no doubt be dealt with by tlie Racing Conference.

A DISPUTED WILL. WELLINGTON, June 30. An amicable settlement was reached in the will case, connected with ihe estate of the late Janies Gray, Plinimertnn, hoard on Monday. Justice All-Gregor said the parties had exercised a wise discretion in earning to a settlement. Me was prepared to approvo of it. Mr Blair said it wis to the credit of the family that they were anxious tho various trusts mentioned in the will should benefit. Tho terms briefly are that after paying estate dues testamentary expenses, and debts, what is left to be halved, one half to go to the family and the rest, after other legacies are paid out of it, to be divided between the three institutions mentioned in the. will. A BIG TEMPTATION. WELLINGTON. June 3D. Mary Wilson, a domestic, aged 32. pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court to tlie theft of an overcoat, valued at £2OO, the property of the wife of Dr Johnston. Accused went to the doctor for a medical certificate, tumid the door open and. put the coat ovei her arm. She was committed for sentence. DROWNING FATALITY. GISBORNE, July 1. Wateno Kemara, aged 43, was drowned while attempting to ford the Wai i'pu ’River ;on horseback. The river was high and made crossing dangerous. Kemara’s horse gut ulto o lufie and dislodged its rider who soon disappeared.