DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

(av TELEGRAPH PF.K PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HAWEKA, .January 26. An inaugural sports meeting under the auspices of the Taranaki Caledon, inn Societies was held here this afternoon, being the first for many years. Lamb, the Australian eye-list, competed, and won the Invitation Mile Race, and was third in the Three .Mile Race.

Rose also competed, and won the mile run. Interest was attached to the meeting Ilorn the fact that three British Enufii' champions took part, Lamb. R ' e and Lay.

(’ll.* OF CAR-STEALING. ..I.INGTON. January 26

Willie i Victor Alley, a labourer, aged 21. was committed lor trial today, charged with stealing a motor-car valued at 6375. tin- property of his uncle. George Alley. The accused tobl the police his uncle owed him for work, and that he would take the vujue out of the Use of the car. He also admits taking another ear. WOOL SALES. A ICELAND. January 26. Two representatives of the Auckland Wool brokers’ Association asked for tbe extension of the limit of 20.000 bales for the sale here on February 21. Tbe Chairman, If. T). Robinson, lias received a reply from the committee of the New Zealand Association that afteigiving the matter tho fullest consideration. it regrets the request for the extension to 25,000 bales cannot he acceded to.

PRISONER ESCAPES. WELLINGTON, January 26. On .Monday afternoon. Harold Walter Reid, aged 31 years, an Australian by birth, 6ft Tin in height, of pale complexion, with dark hair and brown eyes, escaped from Etako Prison (near Trcnthnm). He went on Monday afternoon. His going was not noticed until rounding up time. He was seen at Upper Hutt in the evening, but ho bolted through some scrub and gorse towards the river and the hills, when the police were communicated with. The prisoner, Reid, was recaptured this afternoon by warders. A BODY SEEN. PAHTATUA, January 26. Advice was received in town this evening that a body bad been seen in the Mangnhao River at Xilson, in the vicinity of a settler’s property, about twelve miles from Pahiatua. it is believed to he that of William T. Boyd, a stock dealer, whose ear was found in the river a fortnight ago,'at Marinin. The police are proceeding to the locality. FOUND DROWNED. TAURANOA. .Tan. 29. 'flic body of Edmund Thomas Vaughan. aged 03, was found in the river at Katikati by hoys bathing. At an inquest this morning a verdict was returned that death was due to drowning, there being no evidence to show how deceased got in the river.

ASYLUM TRAGEDY. AUCKLAND. January 26. An inmate of the Tokanui mental hospital, near Te Awamutu, named Thomas Pulford, was savagely attacked with a slasher by another patient this morning witii fatal results. A party of 23 patients was being served out with tools at 8.30 a.m. and was preparing to do some clearing work on the hospital farm. % when an elderly male inmate, namd John Holden, suddenly flew at Pulford with a slasher, causing terrible wounds to his neck and shoulders.

An attendant immediately intervened, and he was also attacked, but, fortunately. he received a blow only from the wooden handle of the slasher. The assailant, wlio was of frail build was then overpowered.

The injured man received medical attention, and was rushed to the Waikato hospital at Hamilton, but he died on the way. Tie is believed to have relatives in Te Kuiti. 'fhe assailant was regarded ns being perfectly safe, and he had an exemplary record during the 18 months that he hail been at Tokanui. He was previously a patient at Auckland Mental Hospital. Holden became very quiet after he had committed the deed. All the explanation he offered was : “ f was worried and felt annoyed.” An inquest will be held at the Waikato Hospital to-morrow morning.

NOXIOUS AYE EDS. WELLINGTON. January 20. As the result of his studies inEuropo and America, Dr Tillynrd reports to the Government that there is definitely a good prospect of either the partial or complete control of the number of the pest weeds in New Zealand, without exposing the country to any serious damage in any other direction. The method of control would he by the introduction from abroad of parasitic insects to attack the blackberries, gorse, ragwort, convolvulus, earwig and horn tail. LOAN POLL DEFEATED. NEW PLYArOUTIL January 26. The proposal of the New Plymouth Borough Council to raise a loan of £IBO,OOO to extend its water and electric power services, was submitted to a poll of the ratepayers to-day. The loan was defeated by 73.'! votes to 02 1 .

DROAVNED WHILE TRAWLING CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 27

While trawling, six men had a terrible experience at the mouth of the AYaimakariri early to-day, and one Robert Fraser, of Kilmore Street, lost his life. They went out at 4.30 and when they started to return, the tide running fast, carried Fraser off. He could not swim and the others attempts to rescue him failed and they had to struggle ashore.

BOY DROWNED. HAMILTON. Jan. 27. Patrick Cassia, aged eleven years, son of F. P. Cassin, a. telegraph linesman was drowned in Hamilton lake last evening. The boy could not swim and got out of his depth. A PIONEER PASSES. HASTINGS. Jan. 27. Obituary—-Robert Elwood, ‘aged 81, tlie first Afnynr of Hastings in 1880. Born in Kilkenny. Ireland, lie came to New Zealand in 1857. and farmed on tlift Heretaunga Plains. Later lie gold-rushed to Otago and the AA'est Coast, but was unsuccessful and returned and purchased the AVaikoko homestead and farmed what is now the A. and P. Society’s show grounds. Later he sold out and started auctioneering in Hastings. He engaged in an unsuccessful attempt to establish woollen mills ,and later returned to farming. He was always deeply interested in civic and agricultural affairs, was a A ist president of tlie A. and P. Society, ancl AA'orshipfu! ALaster of the Alasons. He was twice married and leaves a. widow and la grown up family of five daughters, three sons and sixteen grandchildren.

CONDITIONS FAVOURABLE. GISBORNE, Jan. 27

There is little further io report concerning tlie Northumberland. The Terawhiti went alongside at 8.45 a.m. and landed portable pumps which were rigged immediately and got into operation ut 10 o’clock. They quickly showed a slight gain on tli water and within half an hour the vessel was lifting. The Terawhiti is fitting her own pumps, which will be operating

during the afternoon. An official statement is that the situation is quite favourable. Captain Olphert is aboard supervising. TRAIN KILLS 17 SHEEP. TE AWAMUTU, Jan. 27. As tho main trunk express train was approaching To Awamutu station last night, tho engine ran into a mob of sheep that had escaped from a yard fit tho station, when being untrueked. Seventeen ewes, the property of a Rotoorangi farmer wero killed outright or damaged badly, necessitating their destruction. The train was undamaged. land resumed its journey southwards. only a few minutes behind schedule time. HOMESTEAD BURNT. TE AWAMUTU, Jan. 27. A lire at one oVock yesterday morning completely destroyed the homestead of Thomas Ferguson, a farmer at Te Mawhai. The occupants escaped with only their night attire. Insurances, house for £709 and the furniture -.and piano for £3OO.