DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) X.Z. FOR TOURISTS. AUCKLAND, July 22. The story of New Zealand’s tourist attractions is to he told overseas by two honorary commissioners, who will work in conjunction with the Community Tourist League of New Zealand. The commissioners are Air J. AI. Prentice, late announcer at IYA. broadcasting station, and AH Alina Baker, wellknown as a companion of Zone Grey on his fishing cx|>cditions in New Zealand waters. Both Air Prentice and Air Baker left Auckland for Sydney by the Alarama.

Air Prentice has been engaged to undertake a lecturing tour in Australia. and as he is to he allowed to choose his subjects the Community Tourist League has made an arrangement with him to give one lecture a week on “New Zealand as a place for a holiday.’’ The Government Publicity Department has provided a generous supply of scenic lantern slides for Afr Prentice's use, and the League has placed all its tourist propaganda resources at his disposal. Air Baker is returning to the Federated Malay States. He lias promised the f/oaguc to bring under the notice o. the people there the many attractions, both from a scenic and holiday viewpoint, which are. to he found in the Dominion.

COWARDLY ATTACK. AUCKLAND, Julv 25.

A cowardly attack with a. chisel bar, wrapped in brown paper, was made upon Airs Louisa Struokctt. tobacconist of 1! Pon.sonby Road, about 3.30 this afternoon. Airs Struokctt had turned to secure half a dozen packets of cigarettes for a customer, a man of about 25, when ho learned over the counter and struck her on the back of the head with the bar.

Fortunately the blow was a glancing one hut it inflicted a gash which later necessitated the insertion of two stitches. Had the blow fallen a little higher the consequences would have Loon more .serious. As it was ZMrs Struekctt suffered severely from shock.

Aliss C. Cowburne, sister of V Struckott- was at the rear of the shop, and was attracted by a cry from her sister.

The man remained in the shop for a few moments after the attack but on an alarm being raised lie promptly decam|ied. vaulting a fence into Western Park and disappearing. II the man had designs on the. till he was disappointed. The till is under the counter but was not opened and as tar as is known no goods were taken.

BARGE SINKS. AUCKLAND. July 25. A barge heavily laden with machinery used in mixing concrete for the construction of Hie new wharf at Devonport, capsized and sank shortly before one o'clock this afternoon. The barge was discovered to lie, leaking early in the day. and the heavy seas" together with a driving wind and Hie henry machinery on hoard, rendered ifs condition unsafe. The harbour board authorities decided to remove the barge io a more sheltered anchorage. Imt directly the painter was out, the mishap occurred.

The men on the deck of the barge hastily transhipped to <;i tug. Fortunately no one was injured, although one man was compelled to dive info the water. and was subsequently rescued.

No arrangements have yet been made for refloating the Inirge. In the lnean"bile, construction work on the new wharf will lie temporarily held up.

A NATIVE KILLED. FOXTOX. July 23. David Kuniara, a native, aged IS. employed earring flax from Barber's Run at Himntnngi, fell off a dray anil file wheel passed over his body, causing instant death, THE UNEMPLOYED. DUNEDIN. July 23. It is announced that- the Government has taken steps to relieve the unemployment position in Dunedin by providing immediate employment for one hundred and fifty men. Tho Public Works Department will employ 120 men. on road improvement work. The Forestry Department will absorb 20 men. in addition to work provided for the unemployed in Dunedin, the Public Works Department will engage men iiii Invercargill for work for tho Southland district. WELLINGTON, Jui'.v 20. The Mayor stated when lie first asked for a L' 1.000 contribution for the unemployed lie calculated that on the men then registered this sum with the Government subsidy would last lor four months. Owing to the enormous increase of applications he now asks for Clo,ooo of which €7.000 is already subscribed. If is alleged there arc slid n thousand without work. Some new big road works are being started by the Council which will absorb a further number, 'flic Mayor says unemployment is more rile than for twenty years, but actually on the above figures, it is the worst for forty years. A MAORI'S DEATH. HAMILTON. JTiTv 23. Oil Saturday, a Maori. named Manga roa. and known locally as Sharkey, became ill at Poligarua, near Nganinwahia, Brough drinking (methylated spirits by mistake for whiskey. He died f o-day. OLD IDENTITY’S DEATH. HAMILTON". July 23. .Tames Mather, aged 74, mot with an accident while digging tip a free last week, and subsequently collapsed, dying to-day. Deceased was a popular idenlitv of Xgaruawahia.

X.Z. INSURANCE COY

AUCKLAND, July 25

The balance sheet of iho New Zealand Insurance Coy. Ltd. shows that the net income from prom in ms. interest and rents, amounts to £213.310; and the reserve fund has been increased by £730.000. The directors recommend the payment of a dividend at tho rate of Hd per share, absorbing £08.750. making Is 9d per share for the year : leaving a nor balance of £181,243 to ho carried forward. Tt will also be proposed at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders, to be held on‘August 2nd. that- a call of 2s per share be made, and a dividend of a similar amount he declared to be applied in payment of such call.

MOTOR CYCLISTS. WELLINGTON. July 25. At the speed trial by motor cycles on Waikanno Beach, an electrical tim-

ing apparatus was used for the first time in. New Zealand. The speeds recorded ranged from 78.2 G miles per hour to the winner’s 102.27. The distance was a flying mile, and 11. ATanghatn, the- winner, covered it in 35 1-5 seconds. .MASTER-TON FIRE. AfASTERTOX, July 24. A lire started, apparently through a defective chimney, which partially destroyed an eight-roomed wooden house owned hy the estate of Afrs AY. Sellar, and occupied by Samuel Aliiiton. The outbreak was observed soon after a fire was lighted this morning in the kitchen range and had totally destroyed two rooms before it was extinguished. The house was insured for £SOO and contents for £2OO.

PARTICULARS OF ACCIDENT

WELLINGTON, July 25

It was when steaming slowly into Otaki station this morning, that the Auckland Alain Trunk Express left the rails, tearing up portion of the track, and causing a complete dislocation of railway traffic.

The locomotive postal van, and a second-class smoking carriage were derailed. but apart Irom a few exciting moments for the occupants of the derailed car and for the engine and postal crews. Hie incident was unattended by serious consequences. During the day traffic wa.s held up and passengers and luggage had to ho transhipped around the scene of the mishap.

A breakdown train with repair gangs and equipment, was despatched to the spot without delay. The construction of a, loop line was concentrator! upon, and this was completed in time for this night’s Limited Express for the North to pass over.

BUS DRIVER ANNOYED. HAMILTON, July 23. “You are always after the buses. What you want is a toy motor car,” yelled Walter Adamson, a bus driver, to the assistant traffic inspector, when the latter approached him for failing io put out his hand when turning a corner. Adamson to-iluy was fined 5s and costs for his neglect. VETERAN PASSES. GISBORNE, July 26. Obituary.—Robert Atkins, farmer, of Pautahi, a survivor of the Poverty Bav massacre.