DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1927, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —I’ER I'ItESS ASSOCIATION.] BURGLARY AYAYK. AUCKLAND, April o The wave of burglaries continues. Last night was a busy night with ‘‘Bill Sykes,” no less than three "jobs” being done—two in the suburbs and me in the city. The Armidale tearooms, situated in Customs Street East, were broken into and a quantity of cigarettes stolen. T his is the second time the premises have been broken into. On the last occasion the thieves stole to in nionet and ransacked the tearooms.

A fruit and confectionery shop, conducted by Mr and .Mrs IhuTand nt the’ Mount Albert tramway terminus, was the scene of the next “job.” The bmglar was audacious, lor he entered the simp while Mr and -Mrs Hnrlaml were asleep upstairs and extracted a hag of silver containing about L!> trom the till. Afterwards the till was closed. Entrance was gained through a realwindow which could only be reached alter a jump down an embankment at the rear of the premises. This nocturnal prowler was thirsty, for lie emptied several bottles of mineral’ water before lie went.

The other place that received attention last, night was the tobacconist’s shop of D. Allcock, 107. Great North Hoad, Grey Lynn. The front door was hurst open and cigarettes, tobacco and razors valued at Lit) were stolen. Having emptied the shelves the burglars made their exit by the hack door, after making the front door secure by inserting a gimlet, between the lock and ihe Mb-li. None of the occupants of t j,,> adjoining place heard any unusual -.minds during the night. In leaving the shop the thieves had to pass within liu* lect, of a bedroom window at the rear of a grocer’s shop next door. Mr ,\ lh-..i-k said that about twelve months ago his front window was cut u j||, and entrance effect oil. I )11 Hint occasion only Co worth of

ANCIENT CARVING. FOUND IN THE NORTH. ' AUCKLAND, April *T. A large slab of wood hearing taint, traces of carving has been submit toil to the Auckland Museum by Mr George Fiaus, of Awanui. Interested authorities place ail historic value on it, as it is classed among the lew existing links between the Maori race and their 10mote ancestors. In this ease it must he placed as pre-Maori. The piece of wood was dug up in the com sc of excavations that have been made in tile north lor the diversion id the Awanui River to drain a swamp. The wood is very old. measures about (i feet in length. Id inches in width and is about 2 inches thick. It must he held against the light to see the carvings. These are unlike Maori carvings, with the exception that the figures have the characteristic three fingers. Peculiar spines protrude trom the bodies, and at one end ot the slab is a strange figure that looks like a fish of the sword.ish variety, hearing many spikes and spines. It is believed these carvings hear some resemblance to a curious piece of carving dug up in a swamp at Kailnin about five years ago. This (urio was subsequently shown to he iclated to markings to he tolled ill Borneo, where similar carvings are Used as ridge-poles tor tombs. \A bother Hie Kaitaia carving was actually brought trom Borneo, or whether it was carved by descendants ot ancient immigrants trom Borneo, is matter foi spot illation. It is interesting, however, to recall the theory regarding the origin of the Maori advanced by Prolessor Spencer, of the Anthropological Department of the Otago University, holding the view that the original inhabitants of Xew Zealand came from Borneo and South-Eastern Asia.

SUDDEN DM AT 11. Al t KI.AXD, April i>. A married man. \\ ilson Leigh HarraU, aged .'to. suifered a seizure about | mid-day tn-dav. and died while on Die wav in the hospital, I’arrett was a sheet metal worker, and lived in Aliro Street, Grey Lynn. A doctor was able to give a certificate that death was due to cerebral haemorrhage, and an inquest will not' he necessary. HOP SUPPLY. LOXnoX, April 0. In consequence of an over-supply of Riitisli hops, tlie Hop Growers’ Association has decided to plant 4805 acres less next season. ( ARGO PILLAGIXG. Al'( Tv LA XT). April 0. A steward on the Aliddlesex will he sentenced to-morrow on a charge of receiving a quantity of clothing and two handbags, valued at L!i 10s. Tlie charges related to a cargo pillaging ease in connection with which a number of men have been sent to prison. TAR PAL LI X Til EFT. WELLINGTON. April I. “ These thefts were not committed through necessity. All four accused are working, and they planned and calculated the otfences,” said Chief Detective Ward, in the .Magistrate’s Court, when Percy Richard Green, a green grocer, aged 42, Percy Edmoiulsiin, a seaman, aged 10, AAillinm At’Kay, a labourer, aged 45. and .lames AATiitelaw, another labourer, aged 37, jointly pleaded guilty to having stolen three tarpaulins, a roll of canvas, and three drums of paint, at a total value of £34, the property of tho Union Steam Ship Company. Green and Edmondson also admitted a further charge of having stolen two drums of paint, and a drum of oil. worth £lO, tho property of the same company. Counsel, in asking for leniency, told the court that their clients committed the thefts as a result of a drinking bout. Observing that he could not look lightly on tlie offences, Mr K. Page. S.AI.. sentenced all four accused to six months’ imprisonment on the first charge .A similar sentence, to be served concurrently with the first, was I’ imposed on Green and Edmondson on the other charge. j GAOL FOR FRAUD. WELLIXGTOX. April 6. Three months in gaol was imposed on Ernest Hodge, alias AATlson, 32, who, unauthorised, received deposits and failed to account to his employers for £(> 15s. He was engaged as advertising canvasser on a commission basis, and had been previously convicted on two charges. CHEQUE FRAUDS. AVELLTXGTOX. April fi. Edward William Kiwi, canvasser, Wellington, pleaded guilty, before ATr Page. S.AT.. on four charges of false pretences in respect of cheques presented to an Auckland publican and dishonoured. Counsel said restitution would be made if accused were granted probation. Accused was remanded for sentence to-morrow.