DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1926, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[Br TELEGRAPH —PEE PRESS ASS OCIAIION.] FRAUD ALLEGED. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 16. Allegations of fraudulent intent on the part of a farmer in transferring his property' and effects to his wife, prior to his bankruptcy, were made in the Supremo Court during the hearing of an action brought by the D.O.A. against Martha Ivnapton. The case is one in which an application is, made to have declared void certain, documents relating to the transfer of property by T. Ivnapton, recently' a dairy farmer, of South Taranaki, to his wife, who is the defendant in tho proceedings.

Counsel for the plaintiff alleged that Ivnapton performed a number of acts intended to bring pressure to bear on a mortgagee, so that the mortgagee would take back a farm bought from him by Knapton at boom prices, and that, because he was not successful, he transferred his assets to his wife and walked off the property.

Briefly, tlio case consisted of an action by the D.O.A. to have some assignments made by Ivnapton upset. Knapton originally held a lease from a man named Hutchinson, from whom he eventually obtained the freehold of the property. Plaintiff submitted that, after the slump in 1921, Knapton foresaw that when tho purchase money for the property would not ho worth what he paid for it, so he accordingly transferred this property to his wife. The case is not completed.

DEATH UNDER AN AESTHETIC. NAPIER, August 16. Miss Pearl White died at tho liospi;al to-day while under an anaesthetic.

DR MANNIX INTERVIEWED. AUCKLAND, August 16.

Tho New Zealand and Australian delegates to the Eucharistic Congress held at Chicago, returned by tlie Niagara from Vancouver to-night. The party comprised Archbishop Mannix, of Melbourne; Archbishop Clune, of Perth; Bishop McCarthy, of Bendigo; Bishop Liston, of Auckland, and Monseigneur Ormonde, of Auckland.

Speaking of tho Congress, Archbishop Mannix said that it had extended all expectations and it had proved that tlje Faith did not need reviving in the United States. A

At one meeting alone, he said, over a million people attended. Dr Mannix expressed the hope that the Eucharistic Congress to be held in Sydney in 1928 would be as successful. INFLUENZA. CHRISTCHURCH, August 16. During the week ended at noon today, the deaths from influenza in Canterbury totalled four. Five fresh cases were notified. On the West Coast, there were six fresh cases, hut none of them fatal. SUICIDE FEARED. WELINGTON, Aug. 16. Indications point to the fact that Frank Millon Winter, proprietor of a seaside picture theatre at Lvall Bay, has committed suicide. He has been missing since yesterday'. His overcoat was found near Miramar Esplanade. In the coat was a letter bidding farewell to his wife and family', and asking them to forgive him, hut it was the only way to relieve tho pains which lie had in his head. He had been a mental case. Sergt. Pender and the police are dragging for the body. SUICIDE AT SEA. AUCKLAND, August 16. A second class passenger aboard the Niagara, F. Dixon, committed suicide by shooting the night after the liner sailed from Vancouver. Dixon’s body was found on tlie boat deck with a bullet through the head. Ho had been booked for Auckland, having very little luggage. His body was buried at sea. Dixon left a letter for the captain, apologising for bis action.

LURE OF DANCING. WELLINGTON, August 16. Four charges of theft, involving clothing and a diamond ring, to the total value of £33 7s, were admitted by Phoebe Marion Wileli Ingram, a domestic, aged 17. Chief Detective Ward told the Court that Ingram was a native of Nelson, and had been in Wellington for only two months. All the articles had been taken from places where she was staying a night or>two. The girl had been before the Court before, and had been given six- months probation. “ She had been led on by the lure of dancing,- but lias no moral vice,” said counsel. The girl was admitted to probation for two years, on condition that she returns home. Restitution to the extent of £4 4s 6d was also ordered. MOTOR. CAR THIEVES SENT TO GAOL. CHRISTCHURCH, August 16. Two moto't-cars were among the articles listed in nine charges of theft to which Leslie John Edyvean, aged 19, pleaded guilty in the Lower Court. He came up for sentence af' the Supreme Court this morning before Mr Justice Adams, and was ordered to be detained for reformative treatment- for a period not exceeding five years. Edyvean. when arrested in Invercargill. was in possession of a sheath knife and revolvers. The Judge agreed with the Crown Prosecutor that the accused was not normal. SENTENCE FOR THEFT. WELLINGTON, August 16. The theft of two rings from a niece in Matene. that placed suspicion on others, led to Stanley Bean Wilson being sentenced to six months 1 imprisonment at the Magistrate’s Court this morning.

RISE IN FLOUR . AUCKLAND, August 16. The price of flour in Auckland was raised to-day by 10s per ton. the now price being £2l 5s a ton in sacks. - The last rise, also of 10s, took place on July 21st. The price for hag lots of various denominations will be advanced in accordance with the latest increase. The reason given for the rising market for flour is that there is a steady rise of wheat prices in Australia, whence the local mills have to import their raw material. No decision has yet been reached bv the Auckland Master Bakers’ Association as to whether the bread prices will be advanced in sympathy with those for floor. accident to workman. DANNEYTRKE. Aug. 16. There Idas a sudden cut-out of the Mangahao electric power in Southern

Hawke’s Bay shortly before 2 p.m. today. It was due to an accident ,t<> one of the Pubjic Works men, W. Greig. Ho was doing some repairs at Rua-Rou sub-station, when liis foot slipped, and it accidentally touched an 11,000 volt line.

Fortunately the automatic protective switches at Ruaßoa acted instantaneously. allowing the victim to drop clear of the line into a safety belt. From this position, he was rescued by Mr R. Crump, the official in charge of the sub-station, who acted with courage and presence of mind. Mr Crump, who was also engaged in repair work, had to drop his load from tho top of a pole as Greig was in great agony. Tho sufferer received prompt medical .'attention, and on being removed to the hospital, he was quite conscious and able to converse. He is suffering from burns on the hands and face. A HAMILTON COMPLAINT. HAMILTON, Aug. 16. There was strong comment made at a meeting of creditors to-day r on the large number of Chinese bankruptcies which are occurring and the unsatisfactory position in which the creditors are being left. The creditors in the bankrupt of Wing Lee, Chinese fruiterer, of Hamilton, were not at all satisfied. To-day they held a third meeting to enquire into his affairs, the previous two having been adjourned to enable him to furnish a statement. His debts were shown as £634 I9s 3d. The assets were estimated to realise £l7O, including stock £l5O. Mr Robinson, of Palmerston North, one of the creditors, said that, in four months, according to bankrupt’s books, be paid £876. Ho had thus teen paying out £54 a week, apart from the rent, which he had not paid. According to tho turnover, lie was doing good business, and it was incredible. that he had lost £4l a week. Another creditor said that the Chinamen were simply laughing at the merchants. They openly' declared that the Chinese bankrupt always got out of it. Mr Hughes said that the better class of Chinese merchants were anxious that some of tho less honest ones should be convicted. Tho Deputy Official Assignee expressed the opinion that it was time that the merchants dealing with tho Chinese and Hindus asked the Customs Department to afford them some sort of protection. How this ■could ho done, lie could not say unless It was by some system of registering them when in business. Mr Hughes said his firm was suggesting purely cash in the fruit business. It was finally decided to recommend the Assignee to place the matter in the hands of the Crown Solicitor.

FIRE AT ROTORUA. ROTORUA, Aug. 16. On Saturday afternoon a fourTOOTued residence belonging to R. C. G. Russell, on Clayton Road, was burned to the ground. Nothing was saved. The house was insured for £4OO in the Stato Fire Office. INVERCARGILL UNEMPLOYED. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 16. Unemployment in Invercargill is gradually diminishing. Figures obtained to-day show that the past •week has been the easiest for several months. Whereas upwards of 100 were registered on tho Labour Department hooks four weeks ago, there are now only 41. . ROOT SHOP FIRE. WELLINGTON, Aug. 16. A fire to-day did damage to the premises occupied bv Air Thomas O’Brien, boot importer. Tho building was insured for £1,400. The contents are covered by a policy of £4,200. COMING AIR VISITOR . DUNEDIN, Aug. 16. With reference to a Melbourne cablegram en June 7th., regarding the Italian aviator Do Pinedo making a flight including New Zealand, the local. Consul has received 480 gallons of aviation motor spirit to hold, pending his arrival, hut has received no advice of the date.