DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAM! I>EI! PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

A FIRE. WELLINGTON. Feb. 21. A fire broke out yesterday afternoon in Munt Cotterill’s stables. Tiuakori Road, in which there were 25 horses. All were got out alive, but seven were so badly burned that three had to he (lestroyed, while the oilier four will need the attention of a vet. The building was badly burned. FREEZERS’ DISPUTE. I ’Mf LIVING. Feb ‘>, Tin-, was further trouble at the leild i i ■ F"'-ezine: Works to-dav. The Union bui'-bers refused to start unless the volunteers were discharged. The Company refused the demand, and decided to carry on with volunteers. The Company will augment the present volunteer staff, hv available farmers. TDK UNEMPLOYED. WELLINGTON. Feb. 21. ‘■fhough perhaps the unemployment position is not so serious in Wellington as it is in certain of the other centres” remarked the Mayor. Mr Norwood. ‘-The position is still had enough. Many willing, able-bodied men," lie said, “genuinely could not get work. If the position became acute, he would approach I lie Government tor authority to raise further special loans for relief work. Cintl.STClintCll. Fob.' 21. It was stated nt a meeting of the imemphiyud to-day that the "Red" element. the members of whom had been ejected from the ranks of those styling themselves the genuine unemployed. intend making deinonst rat ions when the Duke of York visits Christchurch.

ANOTHER BURGLARY. PALMERSTON NORTH. Feb. 21

Burglars over the week-end effected an entry to the premises of Collinsou and Son, ironmongers, and stole some loose change and goods to the value of a pound or two. They also entered the adjoining premises of Humphreys and Andrea s, men’s outfitters. They fonn ( ] no cash mill apparently they took nothing. AUCKLAND WOO!. SALK. AUCKLAND. February 21. The second wool sale of the season in Auckland was opened this evening when an offering of 20.00(1 hales was catalogued. Owing to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York it was decided to sell the whole catalogue tit one sitting. Ridding was spirited from the opening, prices showing a considerable appreciation compared with last sale. In general, values showed an improvement in early catalogues of Id to 2d per lh on the previous sale. All classes of wool were competed for keenly, super quality and lambs' wool showing an advance of at least 2d per lb. A feature of the sale was the manner in which Continental buyers competed with Bradford. DROWNING INQUEST. WELLINGTON. Feb. 21. An inquest was held on Charles Clifford Harper, who was lost from a launch in the harbour on the (it.li of February. A verdict of aceidenbd drowning was returned. Tlie evidence showed that the body was not clothed. A heavy military overcoat and gum boots were worn when deceased it'll overboard, indicating that tiiev were removed in the water, hut that Tttpp became exhausted. STEADIER KAITUNA . AUCKLAND, Fell. 22. Allegations regarding the seaworthiness ’of ,t!ie steamer Kahuna, were made tit the Police Court when nineteen members of tile crew were charged with failing to proceed to sea without reasonable excuse. Two boilermakers recently engaged repairing the vessel supported the seamen’s claim that the vessel was un.seaworthy. hut Ihe J Marine Department surveyor and others gave evidence to the contrary. Tim M ngistrate said he thought the crew had no grounds for fear and the charges were withdrawn in view of his pronouncing the ship seaworthy.

C\R, LICENSE CHARGE. STRATFORD. Feb. 22

Tn the Magistrate's Court, the Borough Inspector proceeded against a. firm of Wanganui service car owners. on a charge of using borough streets with -.1 car lor the carriage of passengers, without holding a borough license. The car in question runs on a time-table between Wanganui and New Plymouth. For the defence it was contended that the heavy traffic license issued by the City Council at Wanganui, where the car was garaged was operative 'Through the country and no further license was necessary. Decision was reserved. STATE MINE IDLE. GREYMOUTH. Feb. 22. The State Minos are idle to-day. about 400 employees being .".dfeeted. The men resolved not to resume till the docked pay was conceded. _ Mine Superintendent James interviewed to-day explained that the fan at No. 2 Liverpool mine on February 10b broke down it 1.40 p.m. and was out of action till 2.20. Menuwhile tlie men were withdrawn, and did not resume that day, when tbe fail was restarted. It was not unusual for pay to be docked when the men cannot Work, through temporary breakdowns. No exception was taken previously. If the present ''latm were conceded it would be est.nl4i.sbiiirr a precedent and have a tar rea'-b----ing effect not only oil the State but other mines. . Tt is understood the men are meetillo' again this afternoon.

A SORDID STORY. DENIED IN. February 22. It is not often that the sale ol a wife, with supporting documentary evidence, is recorded hut such a sordid transact ion reached the Police Court, when the police told the Magistrate that Edward Fitzpatrick had practically sold his wife to Allan Flyger for £/ sterling. “ Here.” said the SeniorSergeant (handing a document to the Bench') “is a receipt.” The two men concerned acre charged with fighting. Flvger appeared with bandaged bead and in a generally battered state. Ihe Senior-Sergeant said since Fitzpatrick had practically sold his wife to the other man. lie had been cadging from and blackmailing him. Yesterday he bullied Flvger and was tbe aggressor. Counsel for Flvger said Fitzpatrickbad for months neglected bis wife and left her and her five children to tbe tender mercies of the other man who bad maintained her. Fitzpatrick said lie was prepared to pay for his wife and children and keep them so long as she was not living with Flyger.

The Magistrate to Fitzpatrick— Nothing is to he said in your favour in view of this document before me. The less vnu say the better. Fitzpatrick was tilled £5 and Flyger £2. \V \X(iAX FT SF.V IT’N C ES. WANOANTT. Feb. 22. Judge McGregor sentenced Dan RroucMnil (a Maori) to two years Borstal for U sexual offence in an ui>river pa. A number of these were beard during the present session and anpnrcntlv Broughton who came originally from Paten and Ratana had 1 ?en the ring lender. Kona Puinti and Tini Tewaiti. who had been under the influence of Broughton were ordered to come up for sentence within two years if called upon. Ronald Whisker for indecency, was ordered to be detained for two years at Borstal.