DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

RY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

PRESENTATION ALBUM

WELLINGTON, February 21

All album, which is both a work of art and a souvenir, has been prepared for presentation to the Duke and Duchess of York. It contains water colour miniatures and colour tinted photos cl New Zealand with decorated borders. The views run from the early Maori settlement to the present day. with some studies of Maori heads.

INTER-ISLAM) T EI. EPMO XE. WELLINGTON. February 21

Telephone services to the South island will not lie in full working order till June. The repeating apparatus, which has only lately arrived, has to be attached to both ends of the new cable. A RESIDENCE BURNT. TA CM A RAN PI. Feb. 21. A seven-roomed bouse belonging to S. Ilisluira, of Taumanmui, was entirely consumed by fire on Saturday evening, about 9 o’clock. The Brigade were very promptly on the scene. The lire apparently originated between the roof and the ceiling. Insurance £BO9, but insurance on the furniture is unascertainable. WHEN SEAMEN DIFFER. WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. A meeting of seamen was convened yesterday afternoon by Young. Howell and 1* ittes, late officers of the Union. ) oung, however, announced there would be no meeting, but nevertheless a large attendance was present and held a meeting at which Howell and Pittes made statements. These were contradicted to some extent and a resolution was passed condemning the action of the late officials in registering a Union in opposition to the Federated Seamen’s Industrial Association, and disseminating propaganda against the interests of seamen, demanding the return of funds and supporting anv action taken to obtain possession: confirming expulsion of the officials and endorsing the resolutions passed in other towns. Young and his friends woio consuled for calling the meeting and then abandoning it. About 113 men were present.

A BATHING SENSATION. AVHANGARET, Feb. 21. A sensational .surfing accident occurred at Ruakaka beach, on Saturday afternoon, six persons being in jeopardy for upwards of an hour before all were frnlly brought ashore. Two girls, AVinnio .McMillan (14). and Mamie Graham (15) got into difficulties at an isolated, dangerous snot. Four young men who attempted their rescue were also quickly in trouble. Another young man procured a rope and succeeded after a plucky endeavour in bringing McMillan, one of the men to safety. A row boat was eventually found a mile distant and wns manned bv two men who rescued the other four persons, the* girl Graham being in a state of extreme exhaustion. The anxiety of the .spectators was intensified by the knowledge that tho locality was usually infested bv sharks at this season of the year.

TWO DROAYNTNOS. AUCKLAND. Feb. 21

Robert Brown, aged 94, was drowned on Sunday by the capsize of a boat containing a fishing party, when struck hv a squall after rounding North Held. The others of the party were Charles Anderson. Harry Corrigan and Charles A'nrwoocL Tho four men held to the upturned boat for about ball an hour and then Brown disappeared. The others were rescued by a sailing boat. Brown is survived by a wife and three children.

Iva Broxon, aged 29, ; i resident of Afangore was drowned at Ranmttre beach while bowing to a yacht in a collapsible canvas canoe after midnight. AY bite, ono of the yacht’s crew who is a strong swimmer dived and grappled Broxon, but after ten minutes lost his hold of him and in the darkness could not locate him agtin. Broxon was a prominent athlete, an upholsterer bv trade, and resided with a widowed mother at Mnngere.

ANOTHER NARBOAV escape. GISBORNE. Feb. 21

Four bathers were imperilled yesterday by .an undertow at Sponge Bay, a popular picnic resort near Gisborne, but wero saved by the coolness and heroism of a middle-aged man. A. N. Diitge, who with h*is two sons went, to the rescue of Cookson the victim of. the undertow. All four were carried out a long way, Dingle assisting and encouinging Cookson, who was almost exhausted by his struggles, while the elder Dingle boy bellied his brother, a novice swimmer. Eventually after a lon> T fight all reached the shore exhausted. Cookson and the younger Dingle collapsing on the bench. Cookson is a much bigger man tl(m Dingle senior, whose resource averted « tragedy. MASTER PLUMBERS. AUCKLAND. February 21. A conference of master plumbers elected as officers:—President, 0. \\ ; Key AYellingtonf ; Vice-President. AV. A Jenkins 'Dunedin). Secretary and Treasurer. A. J. Petherick (AYellingtoik ■ executive committee. Janson, j„dd. King. Mclvor (Wellington): represent*,ative of employers’ federation. Ballinger Wellington); representative on the Plumbers’ Board, Douglas (Dunedin). \UCTIONEER’S LICENSE. GREYMOUTH. Feb. 21. A practice among Coast auctioneers existing for years, has been the transfer of a license for one dav periods. James Daniel Lynch, pleaded guilty at the Magistrate’s Court this morning to a charge of conducting a sale -without a license, he having had a Westland District License transferred to him for one day. The minimum penalty of £lO was imposed. Mr Metdriun, S.M. said the defendant thought fie was acting within liis rights, but there was no doubt, the practice was against the law. Defendant could apply to the Department, for a remission of the fine, which lie (the Magistrate) was prepared to recommend,

SLEEPER ON RAILWAY

PALMERSTON N., Feb. 21

■ After ten months freedom from interference, the railway line at Terrace End was again made the subject ol some despicable work on Saturday night, when a wooden sleeper was placed across Wanganui line at Fitzroy Street crossing. A train that ran into the obstruction was a goods train lrom Marton, due at Palmerston North at 19.15 o’clock, but running slightly late. On feeling a bump the driver at.once appliedtbe brakes. An examination showed the cowcatcher ol the engine was extensively buckled and a portion stove in. Alter a delay of about thirty minutes the train came to town slowly, reaching Palmerston North tit 11.43 o’clock. BAND CONTEST. WELLINGTON. February 21. Thirty or so bands drawn from all parts of the Dominion are now assembled here to compete for championship honours. The proceedings started this morning witli solo contests and this afternoon the public will be given a treat bv a march through tho city ol most of the bands engaged, to tho Basin Reserve, where a civic reception will be tendered by the .Mayor (Mr Norwood). The weather is threatening. Light rain fell during the morning, hut the enthusiasm of tile bandsmen is undaunted. A start was made this morning with solo competitions for G trombones, resulting L. Welliconib (Daiinevirke), 99 pomts. first; K. Cruncher (Hamilton). second; F. Halle (Wanganui Garrison) ,9(>], third. K.V.. Flat bass — J. Cowlishaw (Palm- ; erston North), 98 points, first ; P. Tret he way (Wellington Tramways). 93. second. A ROBBERY. WELLINGTON. February 21. Jewellery and personal efleets valued at C 509 were taken from Councillor I*. W. Mauton. Northland, on Friday evening, during the absence ol the family. The door was forced and all the rooms searched, every article of value being stolen.