DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

([BY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION".]

prominent man dies. TE AWAMUTU, Feb. 7. Obituary—John Burgess Tensdalc. in bis 82nd. year. He was a resident of Waikato lor half a century and was prominent in many local governing bodies of the province.

BILLTARI) SALOON BURGLED. OTAKJ, Feb. 7. Burglars entered Stan Parker’s billard saloon last night and stole £B2, including Cirques, three of which for large aiii'i.oits, being open. Seven pound.- . . sd .er was overlooked. A FIRE. OTARI. Feb. 7. A fire Ibis morning destroyed D. Clark's iive-roomed residence and contents. ’I lie insurances are unknown. TRIPLE DROWNING ACCIDENT. HAMILTON, Fell. 7. A sad triple drowning accident occurred at Hamilton Lake last night, when a pleasure boat carrying four occupants capsized. Those drowned were: Annie Kells. 20, daughter of Mr and Mrs Kells of Tc Rapa; Ruby Harlov.'e, 22. whose parents reside at -Napier. and Trevor Graham, 22, son of Air and Mrs AY. G. Graham, of Hamilton. The fourth occupant, George Smith, of Hamilton, was saved by climbing on the bottom of the upturned boat. The fatality occurred at 10.80 p.m.. just as the party was about to return to the shed, ft seems that the four young people were tempted by the calmness of the water. After rowing and drifting about for some time Smith suggested to return. As he and .Miss Rolls moved to take up the oars, the craft completely overturned without warning, and the four occupants were shot into the water before they realised what had happened, or before they had time to scream. Smith was the only survivor. As soon as he found himself on the surface of the water, lie freed himself of His jacket and managed to grasp the edge of the upturned boat. He states the other three were also clinging to the side when their weight pulled the craft upright again, but it turned over for a third time, and remained bottom u]i. By this time Graham and the two girls bad disappeared, whereupon Smith, still dinging to the boat called out for help. About a quarter of an hour later another liont put out and rescued the exhausted survivor There were no signs of the others, though search was made. Though not a strong swimmer, Smith was able to take care of himself, while it is surmised that Graham who was a fair swimmer, was probably dragged under by one of the girls. Tt is not definitely known whether the gi.rls could swim. It is believed Alisa Kells was unable to swim, and being burdened with fairly heavy clothing, sank immediately she released hold of the boat. The tragedy occurred about the centre of tlie lake, which is being dragged, Rut Die bodies have not been recovered yet. SAD DROWNING FATALITY. GISBORNE, Feb. 7. A small boy. Geo. Spills, was drowned yesterday afternoon in the Waimata River. The parents and a party had been swimming during the afternoon and tlie little chap in a bathing costume was plaving around in the water keenly enjoying himself, and in no danger, for lie was in full view of the bathers. By 5.30 everyone had left: the water, and between that time and 0 o'clock the boy was missed. Search was instantly made and the body recovered, caught in a snag a short distance up tlie river.

FATAL DROWNING ACCIDENTS. TAFRANCA, Fob. 7. "While surf bathing nb Mount MaiintTnuui yesterday morning Paul Mi sc* liefski. aged 21, was drowned. Several were in the surf at the time when deceased and another. Armstrong. got into difficulties. His mates got Armstrong out and called to two others, Lewis Peglnr and Dudley Lloyd, to help Mischefski, who was unable to swim. They were swimming to shore with deceased floating, when a big breaker caused him to grasp Lloyd and both wont under. Reglar dived and brought both up. Llo.vd then struck out for the shore to got a life line, while Reglar supported Mischefski. Before reaching the shore Llovd noticed that Reglar was alone and went hack and found both had gone down. Reglar losing his hold. Lloyd and Rcglar managed to get ashore, fairly exhausted. Meantime two others attempted to reach the deceased with a lifelino was then made, hut Mischefski disappeared before thev reached him. The police were informed and a search made for the body which was not recovered. A younger brother of deceased was drowned on the inner bench at the Mount just two years am,. The parents reside at Inglewood. man named Johnston, a "'ell known boxer, was drowned on Saturday while bathing in the Uretara river at Katikati.

DR 0 WNIN G FAT AI AT Y

CHRISTCHURCH. February 7. Ronald George Wilson, aged 22, was drowned in the Selwyn River, yesterday while bathing with two other lads. He had a seizure. YOUNG LAD DROWNED. MARTON, Feh. 7. A hoy named Fitzgerald, aged 12. son of a school-teacher, was drowned in the river Ohingaiti on Saturday while bathing with bis parents. The body has not yet been recovered. DEFENDANT CO ELAPSES. DUNEDIN, Feh. 7. A rather sensational turn was given in the adjourned case against Walter Philip Hailes, charged with having driven a motor-car in a manner dangerous to the public, and failing to stop when an accident occurred. Mr Bundle, S.M. had announced his intention of convicting, when defendant fell from the chair. He was carried from the Court. The Magistrate refrained from entering a conviction to give defendant an opportunity of appealing.

SUPREME COURT. DUNEDIN, Feh. 7

At the Supreme Court, John Jackson Corbett, for attempted rape received 3 years hard labour; Alfred ltolicrt Russell, theft of a letter. 3 years hard labour: John McDownll. breaking entering and theft, reformative treat mo lit for I year. BURGLARY. CHRISTCHURCH. February 7. On Friday night a burglar stole Clso from J. Stack, a barman, at his house m Dee Street, St. Albans. The thief entered through the pantry window and stole the money lrom his pockets. This is the third case of the kind which has occurred here recently. Previously £l5O and £2OO were stolen from sleeping men. MOTOR CROSSING FATALITY. - CHRISTCHURCH. February 7. Edwin John Lentham. aged 63. of Lincoln Road, was killed on Saturday evening. He was wheeling two bicycles when a car driven by Robert Patrick Grant, struck him. AN UNUSUAL ACCIDENT. CHRISTCHURCH. February 7. S. Rogers, a young man. belonging to Sprcydon, was badly gashed and bruised about tbe legs and arms yesterday through a car running into the back of another on which he was sitting.