DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

) (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) FIRE AT WINTER EXHIBITION. AUCKLAND. July 27. La.-d night a fire broke out in a sideshow section of Auckland Winter Exhibition. The sheds had been locked. but several operators remained for sonic time alter closing hours. Though the alarm was first given b.v the nightwatchman, the fire had evidently h cit burning lor several minutes, as the flames penetrated a wall in two places, also led ging in the roof. The Brigade "ere quickly on the scene and soon had the outbreak controlled, with little damage. There is no policy on the exhibits held by the authorities. CAR THIEVES. CHRISTCHURCH. July 26. The theft of a motor-ear from a city street- last evening proves that even a gear-lock is not proof against the thieves. The car was left in Gloucester Street between eight and nine o’clock, with the gears locked. To-day the car was found near Cash more I Mills. The gears had been re-loekod. Tools had been removed, and the petrol drained from the tank. Since Saturday morning three cars and a motor cycle have been stolen in Christchurch.

TENDER ACCEPTED. WELLINGTON, July 27. TVord has been received from Loudon that a tender for the casting of lorty-nine bells for Wellington War Carillon has been accepted. ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER. WELLINGTON, July 27. At the Supreme Court, the hearing of charges of manslaughter and negligently driving a ear so as to cause the death ol Helen Teller in the motor tragedy on June 3rd, at Tawa Elat, occupied all yesterday. The case was then adjourned until 10.30 this morning. The evidence was similar to that, given in the lower court. It was stated by the Crown Prosecutor that the accusation is that while returning from Otaki races, the accused passed a ear driven by Alex. Coleman at a dangerous spot on a narrow road, between Tawa Elat and Johnsonville. lie pulled over to the side and forced Coleman’s car over the hank, where it fell 67 feet. Airs Teller had her neck broken, and another passenger had an ankle broken. Evidence was given by Coleman in support of the Crown’s statement, and by another witness, who said he saw the Hudson ear cut across Coleman’s and drive it over the hank. He chased it and secured the number, which was that of accused’s car.

TRAINS HELD UP. AUCKLAND, July 27. A heavy landslide, three-quartets of a mile north of Paerata, 27 miles south of Auckland, early this morning held it]) all train traffic to and from the south to-day. It was necessary to transport passengers and mails to trains on the other side of the obstruction.

Passengers from -Whangarei for Auckland were held up ai Alaungaturoto. where refreshments could he obtained. Railway officials hope to have the north line clear by noon to-day. Roth expresses from Wellington acre held up by the slip near Paerata. Passengers on the first train reached the city four hours late. Passengers

outward hound to Rotorua and Thames expresses had to he transferred to another train. It will he a big job to get this line clear.

HOSPITAL PATIENT’S DEATH CHRISTCHURCH, July 27

The committee of North Canterbury Hospital Board reported to-day in the case of Mrs AleKniglit, who died from a fractured skull, after being discharged and then re-admitted to the hospital, that it found that the house-sur-geon’s records were by no means .satisfactory; that there was a lack of careful’ investigation of the ease by the honorary surgeon and the house suregon, a lack of observation by the Sister in (barge of the ward. ‘‘The tact that the patient was discharged did not contribute to her death.”

VALUELESS CHEQUE. MARTON, July 27. "William Roberts, an ex-convict, with many aliases, was sentenced this morning to six months for presenting a valueless cheque at a local hotel, after borrowing a blank cheque at M'angaehu. Accused was released from Wellington gaol at the beginning of the present month. He bail nine previous convictions for talse pretences covering over thirty charges. Accused stated to the bench that he bad won over £'l2o at "Wellington races over Nukumai’s victories and had been drunk ever since.

NELSON MYSTERY CHARGE. NELSON, J ulv 21

A further move to clear up the Ryan mystery (Rvan was found in a Nelson Hotel' with a fractured skull and other injuries i was made by the police today, when Charles Hogg was charged with assaulting Ryan at Upper Moutere and of robbing him of £2O. Accused was remanded to 10th August.

SLIP ON MAIN TRUNK. PUKEKOHE, July 27

The main trunk line, three-quarters of a mile north of Paerata Junction, twenty-seven miles south of Auckland, is blocked by a huge slip which came down about three this morning. All traffic is |bcld up. Gangs were organised and work commenced early this morning to clear the line. Train loads of men are hurrying to the spot from Auckland and Huntly. It will probably bo late to-night before it is clear. The north-bound express is held up at Paerta, but arrangements are being made to tranship passengers and mail to a relief train north of the obstruction. A small slip occurred in this cutting last year and the country herenlxmt has been giving trouble for some years. This is the fourth or fifth landslide since the route of the permanent way ns altered to improve the grade.

seaman CHARGED. CHRISTCHURCH. July 27. As the result of a brawl on a ferry steamer Jas. Gordon Bennett, a seaman. was arrested on the train today and charged with theft of £lO from Robert Schollay. and with using personal violence. He was temanded for a week. CROSSING FATALITY. WATPUKURAU. July 27. Further details of yesterdays accident state that. Power was thrown clear, but Wa.!jh was found under the tram with his head squashed to a pulp, death being instantaneous. The body was conveyed to the morgue and Power was admitted to the Mnipuknrau Hospital suffering from shock and broken ribs. Deceased was mat - ried, without a family, n farmer on a soldier section at Mnroke. The crossing level is a bad one and repeated efforts have been made to get the Department to take steps to eliminate the danger without avail. * An inquest was opened this morning for identification purposes nod n!l -- journecj to August 3rd.