DOMINION ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS

[UV TF.I.KG It Al’H PUR PP.KSH ASSOCIATION.) THE DAMAGED STEAMER.

GISBORNE, January 27. It was reported this morning that another hole had been located in the hull of the Northumberland,. farther aft than that which early salvage operations were c oncentrnted. There are indications that the ship, alter striking the rock or other submerged object,

I swung oil' slightly, aml thou touched i .second tinic. The location of the see Olid rent is staled to he some feet af of the hole first- discovered. Full lie diving one rations were carried on early to-day. The report, concerning the discover; of another hole was eonlirnied at noon when it parly of shipping ollkinls camt ashore. A diver was engaged to-da; in directing outside repairs. BODY FOI'A'IY I’AIIIATTA. January 127. "ciariy this morning Constable Swat and several nersons proceeded to Xil-.at and recovered the body of \\ i 1 iimi Thomas Hovd. aged -33, ;i stock agent missing for ti fortnight. The hotly wat inttclt decomposed and practically devoid of clothing. It was found sever' or eight miles below the scene ot ths cur smash at Mariam. Deceased was a Steward of I’ahiatua Racing Club, end also a member of I’ahiatua A. and I’. Association. He leaves a widow and eight, ihihlren. An inquest was formally opened for the purpose ot idon tiiita turn. JOYS IX TUOUI’d.K. I AI'C'KI.AXn. January 27. Two ex-Horstal boys, Cico. Colcoril I 'alias Curtis) and Geo. It. Drewcr, were sentenefd at Auckland this morning to six months’ imprisonnient, to he followed h.v two years’ reformative treatment, for theft of money and remained to Hamilton lor gaol breaking. Leslie George Dunn yllii this morning was committed to the Supreme C ourt for sentence on a charge of arson in connection with the destruction oy lire of a block of four shops at I’annul re las; Friday, and to another charge of breaking, entering and tin IT. A X Alt HOW I'iSCAI’K. TK Ivl'JTI. January 27. A tragedy was narrowly averted on the Awakino Valiev Hoad on Tuesday afternoon when a motor-car lelt> tue road and fell thirty-live feet into the: deep water ot the Awakino river. Jhe car was oct tipietl by a motorist I roil) I !’aiiuerstoh Xortli whose name is unknown and his wile and two chihlien. Tim steering gear broke and the cut was deflected towards tlfe edge ol the ,-liil hue the occupants managed to i jump out. he I ore the vehicle tell. All I were unhurt. |

ASYLUM TRAGEDY

HAMILTON", Jan. 27

A Cironial inquiry was held liy Air Wyvorn Wilson, S.AE. at Hamilton this afternoon into the circumstances surrounding the death ol Thomas Pullord ,the patient at the Tokanui Alcntal Hospital who expired on the way to the Waikato Hospital yesterday, following on the assault on him made by another inmate. John Holden. Dr James McPherson, Alodic-al Superintendent at Tokanui. said that Holden, when asked why he attacked Pullord. replied: “I was worried!” He added: “They are worrying me all the time.” From this, the doctor assumed that the man was suffering from hallucinations, and that “they” wore the imaginary voices of people, and further that Holden was suffering from delusivial insanity, accompanied by partial dementia, one of his delusions being that lie was being chased hy Rat,ana.

I he evidence of an attendant showed that Holden had never previously given any indication ol being aggressive.

The Coroner stated that there had l r 'Cii nothing in Holden’s previous conduct at Avondale or at Tokanui to warrant the Asylum authorities in regarding him as dangerous. He found Hint Pulford died from haemorrhage and shock as the result of injuries inflicted bv John Holden, the latter at tiit i time lie ill" insane*.