DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1927, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TULEGHAI’U —l-ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

GIRL’S THEFT

WELLINGTON. Feb. 24

Having pleaded guilty to live charges of theft as a servant, involving all amount of £43, a girl, aged 18 years formerly in the Government employ, appeared for sentence before His Honour, the Chief Justice. She was one of a family of nine, and had been receiving a salary of £5 8s a month and had been in sole charge of an off where considerable sums of money were lodged. Her father was a small dairy farmer. His Honour said that undoubtedly the case was a sad one, but the small salary had “nothing to do with it.” In this case he thought ho was justified in admitting the prisoner to probation, and be said lie was glad he was able to do it.

.MOBF AIOKRINSVTLLE QUAKES.

HAMILTON, Feb. 21

’l’llroe liioi'e earthquakes were felt In Morrinsvillo. early this morning, but they were not severe. No damage was done.

HE.MANI) FOR. DAIRY FARMS I! AMI ETON. Fob. 21

A greatly improved demand exists in the Waikato for good dairy farms, and one Hamilton, agent has put through farm deals aggregating £IOO.OOO in the past six weeks.

CROSSING SMASH. AUCKLAND. Feb. 24

A shocking accident occurred at Ongariio this evening. -Mr Alcflroy, a farmer, of T’aringanioutii, was driving a car containing his wile and iainilv over a level crossing, when the car was si ruck bv the north hound daylight Limited express.

Mellroy. his wife, and :1 bay-in-arins, were killed instantly, and another child died shortly allcnvards. Two others of the family, and also ;; voting girl working lor the family, were injured. They were taken to tinTo TCuiti hospital. The girl fractured her arm. and has injuries to the hack, hut the two children are riot seriously hurt. All are suffering from shock. The train was travelling at 25 miles nil hour, and the driver did not see the ear till on the crossing, which is recognised as a dangerous one. The car was carried 3011 over the cattle stops, and it was smashed to pieces. LAUNCH .41 FRO A TRAGEDY. AUC.TvTiANT). Feb. 24. A continued search for Air H. Mater of Dovonpnrl. who was washed overhoard from the launch Mercia, when she drifted ashore, at the entrance to Kaipara Harbour early on Wednesday morning, has proved unsuccessful. I: is thought there is little hope of his returning alive, but the search will be kept up. 11 ORSK.M AN'S EFFORT. AUCKLAND. Feb. 24. (!. X. Bell ,a farmer, from Ka re re. Manawatn. who broke the record established bv Cuntnin H. G. TyrwhiU 111-nice fa millionaire horseman, who heal the reputed oerformaiiee of Bi<k Turpin’s mare Black Bess in the ride from London to York) left Auckland on horsebac-k at 5.45 this evening in an attempt to ride to Palmerston North. He carries a message from the Mayor of Auckland to the Mayor of Palmerston North, lie fulfilled the conditions of setting oIT on the ride of 300 miles without money or food. DATRY CONTROL. WELLINGTON. Fob. 24. After full discussion upon Air Covri-o-an’s notice of motion to rescind the existing premium of 3s 4cl per crate of finest cheese, with a view to paying Is gd only, the Dairy Control Board decided to retain t.lie existing premium under which the grade, of fiitvst cheese has been raised from 20 per cent to 51.5 per cent. MILLERTON INQUEST. THE CORONER’S FINDING. WESTPORT, Feb. 25. Mr AY. Aleldrum (Coroner) gave his finding this morning on the inquest touching the deaths of the victims of the recent Millerton disaster, that AA illiam Pearson, William Mnlier, Michael For and James Cowan died on February ,sth. 1927 at Afillerton mine from acute carbon monoxide poisoning. He found that the proto apparatus was perfectly safe against poisonous gases; that the men were well trained in the use of the apparatus and fully understood its use. Further, that Pearson, when going to rescue Cowan, omitted to turn on the oxygen. Maher walked into the danger zone, without taking the necessary precautions to adjust the mouth piece and nose clip. Cowan took no precautions whatever. Each case was due to failure to adopt precautions according to the instructions and training. Pearson’s case was partially due to exhaustion and anxiety for the immediate rescue of Cowan. The other cases seemed to lie due to fearless carelessness.