DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1927, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[UY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CLAIMS FOR BUSKS. CHMSTCHUROH. Teh. 7. Before Air Justice Adorns and Mr W. Hayward (Assessor for the Tramway Board), and Mr W. D. Berry (assessor for the bus owners), claims under the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act were heard to-day. The claims against the Board were by Dixon and Mannerley, £I4OO for one 30-seatcr bus, Cl. Lowis, £73-5 lAs for each of two 20seater buses, AV. C. Saunders, £1450 for one 26-seatei', and £1450 for one 23-seater. The awards were: To Dixon and 'Mannerly £lOl3. to (1. Lowes £1244, to AV. C. Saunders £1996. DEATH THROUGH NEGLECT. DUNEDIN'. Feb. 7. An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Alfred Shepherd, fourth officer of the steamer Trevorian, who was killed whilst the vessel was unloading cargo at Dunedin wharf on January 18th. was concluded yesterday. Coroner if. R. Bartholomew, R.M., found that deceased’s death was due to shock, following on injuries caused by his being crushed by a case, accidentally falling down the hold of the ship. 6 The Coroner, in giving his verdict, said that it was unfortunate that the evidence of the ship’s officers was not available, particularly that of the officer whose conduct was in question. The unfortunate man was working in the lower hold, clearing dunnage, when a case fell down the hold, causing injuries to which he later succumbed. The evidence showed that planks were not available to completely cover the hatchway, which meant that the men in the lower hold were working under unsafe conditions. The “Gazette’’ regulations made it the duty of the officer in charge to see to the security of the hatches. He was loath to make comment in the absence of the officer concerned. hut the evidence showed that the second mate was in charge of the situation at the time, and, either through neglect or oversight, he allowed the work to proceed. A NARROW ESCAPE. AUCKLAND, Jan. 7. A narrow escape front loss of life, owing to fire, occurred at the residence of Air J. Wilkins, Mount Albert, this morning. Airs Wilkins was preparing orenkfast in the kitchen, when she heard screams coming from the washhouse. She rushed out to find her son. Ray, aged two years, enveloped in flames. The hoy was removed to the

hospital, suffering from severe burns to the arms and legs. Before tbe outbreak a fire, bad been kindled in the copper, and it is surmised that either the child was playing with it, or a spark flew out. Considerable damage was done by the fire, which spread to the kitchen hefore it was subdued. AIAN SUICIDES. AUCKLAND. Feb. 7. "William James Lane, married, aged •59, committed suicide at his residence Havden Street. His wife found the bedroom door barred and when she 'forced an entrance found her husband dead with a gas tube in his mouth. Tiio Coroner found that suicide was due to gas poisoning. HARBOUR TO AGEDY. ’• WELLINGTON, Fob. 7. Returning with Charles Phillips’ launch-fishing parly last evening Charels Clifford Arthur Capp. linesman, employed by the City Council, who resided with Ins wife and child in Ferry Street, Seatoun, fell into the rough sea 200 yds from Seatoun wharf. 1 It was very dark at the time, and the party lost sight of him. Hampered by I a military overcoat and gumboots, lie , had little chance of swimming to safety. , The body has not been recovered,