DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1926, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TEXEGBAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT,

.SHOOTING MYSTERY

AUCKLAND, September G. A startling incident oceured just off Seddon Street, a. main business thoroughfare in Wadii. on Saturday evening, when a bullet passed through the only imfrosted pane of the window of Fred A. Stamp’s billiard saloon, and at which the proprietor was standing at the time. The bullet missed him by a matter of inches only, and passed through a window opposite. There were several patrons in the room and althrotudi all. of course, heard a loud explosion. the hole made in the window bv the passage of the missile was not noted until some few seconds afterwards. A layer of line.splintered glass on a billiard table in the vicinity led to investigations and the discovery of the (hole. The matter is wrapped in mystery, and if the shot was fired with intent. Stamp cannot account for it, as he knows of nobody he would expect to do him an injury. The fact, hwever, remains, that it is remarkable that the bullet should have passed through the only clear pane of glass in the window, and that, with the light oil. Stamp’s figure would have been clearly seen by anyone outside, and that the explosion was so loud that the weapon must have been discharged from a vacant section at a distance of hut a few yards.

CHARGE OF FRAUD. CHRISTCHURH, Sent. 7. Alfred Genet was sentenced to four months’ hard labour to-day on a charge of fraud The police said the accused went round selling art union tickets and did not account for the money. He obtained the tickets under a false name. ’ OIL-BORING. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept, 7. Taranaki oil fields reoprt Waiapi ■ well is down 1G32 feet in bard slude, and passed through dry sand at IGOB feet to 1624 feet. The ten inch easing is down to 1594 feet. RAILWAY HAND CRUSHED AUCKLAND, September 7. Frederick Kcnroy (23]. married, a railway cleaner, was crushed between in engine tender and a coal stage at the locomotive sheds, Auckland station this morning. The planking of the stage had to be removed before the injured man could lie extricated. He died shortly after admission. TRAM AND BUS COLLIDE. AUC'LAXD, September 7. The General Omnibus Company’s bus collided with a tramcar at a street intersection and was badly wrecked. One wheel was torn off and one side ripped out. The windscreen and most of the windows were shattered. The tram sustained minor damage. One passenger in the Ims, Mrs llale. sustained a scalp wound and suffered from shock. The driver of the bus W. G. McLeod, was cut about the face by flying glass.

TRADE REQUESTS. AUCKLAND, September 7

The Auckland Industrial Association discussed a letter from the Master Grocers’ Association urging legislation to abolish coupons and prize schemes, which encouraged the public to believe 111 icy were getting something for nothing and encouraged the essence ol gambling. There is also need for price fixation and maintenance by manufacturers and wholesalers, agreeing to have the goods supplied conditional upon the minimum prices being observed. The Association agreed to send a representative to the meeting arranged by the Master Grocers Association to discuss the subject. It was resolved tat a remit be forwarded to the Dominion Conference that in order to encourage trading within the Empire the income tax regulations lie amended, to provide an effectual scheme ol taxatic-ii based on the percentage of the British and foreign goods used in trading. The Association discussed the proposal to make an industrial display by means of a train visiting the different centres of the North Island. The Secretary said ho considered the proposal could he carried out if they got a vote of a thousand pounds Iron) the Government, Action was deferred.

CTT A R GES WITH DR AWN. WHANG ARE t. Sept. 7. Tn Court to-day, before Mr Cuiton, the adjourned hearing of summonses against 149 miners at Wilson’s collieries, Hikuriingi, who had been cited for taking port in mi unlawful strike was resumed. The Inspector announced that the Miners Union officials on behplf of the members had given the Minister of Labour an assurance that they would not repeat the offence and expressed regret. I ncler the circumstances he asked leave to withdimv tho summonses. This was granted. alliance thankful. WELLINGTON. Sept. 7.

The standing committee of the New Zealand Alliance has passed a resolution expressing its profund thankfulness at the dropping of the Licensing Kill and urging that a Bill which will oimhle the House to (leal decisively with the question he introduced at the earliest possible date next session. INQUEST VERDICT. : PAHIATUA, Sept. 7. At the adjourned inquest of I' reel Hillas, a settler or Pori, who died suddeny at Nguturi on the way into Pahiatua, the Coroner said it was very plain the cause of death on the doctor’s evidence was from rupture of the heart, the attack being brought about by excitement due to an accident on Ngaturi hill. KAWA RAU SLUICE GATES. DUNEDIN, Sept. i. Kawarau sluice gate's will all be opened before ten on Thursday morn-, ing. The ten gates will probably be opened singly at intervals to prevent a sudden outrush or waters. A lnrge number of shareholders have already abandoned their claims for the season. Those still working report better prosnoots ererv clnj • .MAGISTRATE’S DECISION. GREYMOUTH, Sept. 7. Mr Meldrum S.M. gave a reserved decision in a case wherein the point was raised whether the duties of a housemaid employed at an hotel included the scrubbing out of a bar. Ihe Magistrate’s decision was m the affirmative. _ . The Inspector of Awards (Air Sneddon) proceeded against a Greymouth licensee for not paying the housemaid wages according to award scale, claiming £2O penalty, the issue being that the girl was employed and paid as a housemaid-waitress, whereas the work j done by lier in scrubbing the bar entitled her to the wages of a* “general | hand.” The Magistrate to-day stated I there were no authorities directly bear- | ing on the point, hut he took the view • that the front of the liar was in the same category as the hack. It vas [ part of the hotel and had to he kept clean. He saw no reason to give it exceptional treatment, especially in a small country hotel where it would be an absurdity to except the bar from the housemaid’s work. Plaintiff was non-suited.