DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1927, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAM PER PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 Cli 1? 1 STCIIUItCH WEATHER. CHRISTCHURCH, April 29. A southerly gale, with hail, broke over Christchurch during the night, sometimes bowing with cyclonic force. It still continues. The steamer Maori struck bad weather in the Straits, and only arrived at .11.5, four hours late. SUDDEN DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. \ very enthusiastic, but very old and frail supporter of the Lahout Party, died this morning on reading the news of the Labour victory in the Municipal Elections. The first duty ot the M;).-or and Mayoress this morning was to call on the widow of the aged man and to offer their condolences.

FIRE. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. A five-roomed house in the Domain at Governor’s Bay, occupied by C. P. Jones, was destroyed by fire this morning. Five or six motor cars housed in outbuildings near the dwellng were saved. The house was insured lor £3OO. AUCKLAND, April 28. The eleven-roomed wooden residence of Mr E. C. Firth, of Mt. St. John, Epsom, was destroyed by fire this morning. The house, which was very old, was burned to the ground, the conincluding a valued oil picture and papers, jewellery belonging to Mrs Firth, and a billiard table, are also a complete loss. It is understood the house was insured for £2OOO and the contents for £BOO with the Alliance Assurance Coy. BURIED TREASURE. CHRISTCHURCH, April 28. A story of a buried treasure —money buried in a fowl-house—was told at the Mngstrate’s Court to-day. Mary Eliza Sturgess, aged 77. widow, of Sumner, claimed from Peter Haglund, her nephew to recover the sum of £192. She claimed that her husband, who had once lost money in a bank failure, and refused to trust banks thereafter, had buried £lB5 in a fowlhouse. After his death, she fell ill, aiid was removed to the hospital. At this time, she declared, Haglund dug up the treasure, and also, took other cash (£7). a gold watch and other property. Haglund’s story, told in evidence was that he dug up the money at Mrs Sturgess’s request; that there was only £BS there; that the expenses were £35 for Mrs Sturgess and he proferren £SO in Court in settlement. The Magistrate accepted the defendant’s evidence, and found accordingly.