DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1927, Page 3

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

ESCAPED PRISONER

WELLINGTON, Feb. 21

A week's search of the plantations surrounding Mount Crawford prison has revealed no trace of the quartercaste Maori. Robert Harvey Campbell (31), who escaped from the institution on Sunday week after serving four months of a three years’ sentence for forgery. It is thought that he may have made yod his escape in the short jnbervai. leoh elapsed before iho search v. ;•<. nmcnccd in earnest.

KAIT X \ DISPUTE SETTLED.

AUCKLAND, February 22

The dispute with the crew of tlie Union Steamship Coys’ steamer Kaituna has hedii settled. The vessel sailed for Westport tiiis afternoon, after being delayed in port for eight days.

HEAVY HAMILTON CALENDAR HAMILTON, Eeb. 22.

The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court opened here to-day before lurry calendar. True bills were returned in eight criminal cases.

For breaking, entering and theft, Frank Hubbard was .sentenced to two years’ probation. It was stated he was known in his district as the local “Tom Mix,” because of Ids resoembhmeo to the actor, and that, the children “heroworshipped” him. 7lis frequenting of the pictures led to his downfall. On the charge of theft of a car. Arthur William Geoffrey Mold. was admitted to two years’ probutinn. TRIAL OF BOYS. HAMILTON. Feh. 22.

When the (.'land .lurv returned true hills in the Supreme Court to-day in charges against two hoys, aged 17 and 14 respectively, the foreman staled that the jury considered the cases should have been tried in the Juvenile Court, and expressed regret (Hit the Child Welfare Act did not cover such cases'. It was pointed out that the Art did not provide for the trying of indictable cases in the Juvenile Court.

Air Justice Stringer said he would makfe representations to the Justice Department on the matter. He thought that the position had arisen through the Act being bully drafted. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. GISBORNE. February 23. A spectacular fire early this morning destroyed a two storey wooden block in Lowe Street, known as Dunlop's buildings. occupied by Gisborne Motor Service. Government Life Insurance, Mackett (estate agent:, (Mutts (carrier), Currie (produce merchant), Breig fnrchilect), and Cooper 'bootmaker).

The lire started in the motor service repair /hop and when discovered, a large portion of the building was a mass of flames, which spread with surprising rapidity. Five service cars were rescued, several others being destroyed. Excepting for the -Motor Coy’s office fittings and hooks there was no other salvage. The property was owned by llaty, of Hawke’s Bay, and was an old landmark, portion comprising Gisborne's first brewery.

INSURANCES. GISBORNE, February 23. The property is owned hy Mr J. AV. Rates, of Hastings, and insured lor 23,300 in the New Zealand Insurance Office. The motor company lost nine or ten cars. The Government- Life insurance lost various records, excepting essential ones which were secured in a strong room. Another tenant in the building. J. Harvey, a working jeweller, saved nothing. The motor company's insurance on cars in the building was 2L,()23. stock, furniture and fittings 21213. both in Eagle Star. The Dominion Company and other insurances are not large. CAR STRUCK BY TRAIN. AUCKLAND, February 23. A motor ear containing live passengers was struck hy a train at Mange re crossing at eleven last night. All the occupants were thrown on tuc road. Mr John Hosted, a commercial traveller. who received severe injuries to his hack, and Aliss Rowe, of Herne Bay, a cut across the face, were removed to the hospital. The others were only slightly injured. The ear is badly damaged. A SUICIDE. PUKKKOHE, Feh. 23. Edith Danes, aged 42. wife of Jerome Danes, a coaohbtiilder of Auckland, committed suicide yesterday afternoon hy drinking a large dose of poison. The Coroner returned a cetdict that the act was committed while in a state of mental depression. A FIRE. TAUAI.ARANUI, Fell. 23. Last night at II o’clock, n store and contents at Ongaru, belonging to the Farmers’ Trading Coy., worth £B,OOO, was entirely consumed hy a lire. There was no water ami no fire In igade. An adjoining hoarding-house was saved with great difficulty hy wet blankets. The origin, is a mystery, possibly rats chewing matches. Insurances are unavailable.

PTCKPOCK ETS CHARGED. AUCKLAND, Feb. 23

Henrv Morton, aged 30, and George Harris, aged 28. pleaded guilty at the Police Court to being idle and disorderly persons with no lawful means of support. Detective Cummings said accused were two veil known professional pick-pockets who Admitted they came from Australia for the celebrations of the Royal visit. They were remanded for further in- j quiry. , c There were quite a number of eases of pocket picking yesterday reported. burglaries. PALMERSTON X.. Feb. 23. Last night the premises of A. G. Richards, ladies’ outfitter, also the “Dominion” newspaper office, both situated in the Square, were entered by burglars. A small sum of money was taken in each instance. .Several burglaries of a minor nature have been reported during the last two or three weeks. CHARGES OF FRAUD. BLENHEIM. Feb. 23. George Powell, single, a prisoner already serving sentence for similar offences. pleaded guilty this morning to three charges of obtaining credit l>y fraud in Christchurch. He was sentenced to three months on each charge, concurrently with the existing sentence.

STATE MINE TROUBLE. GREY-MOUTH, Feb. 23.

At a Conference between the State Minors' Union Executive and the Mine Superintendent this morning, which lasted nearly three hours, the men were informed that the question of payment for the hour lost by them through the stoppage of the ventilating fan has been referred t > the Minister of Mines for decision. The request for the appointment of a permanent fan attendant is also being considered. An Urgent te'egram lias been sent to the Minister and a reply is expected this afternoon. Moanwhile'the mine remains idle.