DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

HEAVY SEAS AT OAMARU

OAMARU, July 28

A heavy north-east gale during the past two days has resulted in the lowlying areas in and around Oamaru being flooded. In the south, the Shag River is inundating the flats in the vicinity, while small streams and watercourses are carrying heavy volumes of water. No appreciable rise is noticeable in the Waitaki, but the Kakanui is flooding the Alain South Road at ATaheno.

Turbulent seas have been raging along tho coastline, resulting in further erosion of the clay bank between Capo Wanbrow and Pukeuri Point. Yesterday a, pleasure launch was torn from its anchorage and wrecked on tho rocks, while the moorings of tho Homo vessel Alatatua gave tbe Harbour Board concern.

DAYLIGHT SAVING. WELLINGTON, July 28

Alembers in opposition to Air Sidey’s Summer Time Bill are rejoicing at the fact that the hands of Afr Glenn (Rangitikai) have been greatly strengthened hy the receipt of 500 telegrams from various rural interests in all parts of New Zealand, together with a letter from the Boval Agricultural Society, asking that ho should make every effort to secure the defeat of the measure when it is being considered in committee.

Air Glenn makes no secret oi the fact that lie will tight the Bill clause by clause in the interest of farmers and a. very long dohate is predicted.

RESIGNATION OF DR- PICKER IDT, DUNEDIN, July 28.

At to-night’s meeting of the Otago Hospital Board tho resignation of Dr Pickerill, as surgeon in charge of tlie facial and jaw department, was accepted with regret. Reference was made to Dr Pickcrill’s nineteen years’ association with the hospital as honorary dental surgeon, as honorary surgeon in charge of the facial and jaw department, and to the brilliant platsic suigerv work- carried out hy him during the Grreat War and since. In Dunedin Dr Pickcrill’s work would be gratefully remembered and tlie new dental school stood as a monument for all time to his energy. Dr Pickeril will leave shortly to tako up his residence in Rvdnev.

AIASSEY COLLEGE BILL. AUCKLAND, July 29. lion. Fowlds wired Hon. J. G. Coates— Strongly advise amend -Massey Agricultural College Bill so that land titi’c he vested absolutely in the College Council hy the Act, revocable only hy the same authority, otherwise in a dispute between f ouncil and the Government ol the day, the Council might find itself and staff deprived of right of entry to its land and buildings bv an Order-in-Council.

CHATHAAI ISLAND CHEESE. WELLINGTON. July 28

Members who take their meals at the Parliamentary restaurant, Bellamy’s—and they are in a majority—have commented favourably on the excellent quality of the Cheddar cheese forwarded as a present from producers in the Chatham Island. To-day the chairman of the House Committee, the. Hon. W. Stewart, requested Air ArCombs, member representing the island, to convey the thanks of legislators.

Mr AUCombs was invited to explain to a gathering of members the extent of agricultural progress at Chatham Island, and he gave some interesting particulars of its development.

ATTEMPTED MUR DEB CHARGE AUCKLAND, .lulv 28.

“This is a sad ease.” said Mir Justice llerdman in the Supreme Court this morning, in formally acquitting Athol (!oorge lleamisli M bite on the grounds of insanity on a charge ol attempted murder. l:Lis Honor instructed that accused he held in close custody pending the pleasure of the Minister ol Justice. Accused pleaded not guilty.

Detective Nabler said that, with Constabl’es Power and Al.uir, he. went to accused’s house at Great- South Itoad in order to inquire about a swag that had been found at Mount; Wellington. The swag contained a shotgun. cartridges, and an envelope addressed to accused. Accused, who was in bed. jumped tip and got hold of a double-barrelled gun from a corner of the room and pointed it at Constable Power. Fortunately, the constable succeeded in deflecting the nuzzle just as accused discharged the gun, the shot narrowly mising him. Accused afterwards made several very rambling statements. He said : “ I intended to shoot you. Do you think I am the devil ? ”

Dr C. Tawsley said accused was obsessed with the idea that, under no circumstances, would he allow himself to ho taken back to the mental hospital. He also considered he would he perfectly justified in shooting the police. Witness considered him to he insane and extremely dangerous, also

that lie would not know the nature and quality of an act he had committed. Dr Beatty, mental specialist, said that, in his opinion, accused was .mentally defective, and all his life would he liahi’c to outbursts of insanity. His Honor said there was no dispute regarding the facts, and only for the quickness of the police officer a more serious offence would probably have been committed. Proof of accused’s mental condition had been given and would leave no doubt as to his acquittal on the grounds of insanity. Without leaving the Court, the jury found a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity.

111! FAKING GAOL. WELLINGTON, July 20. At the Supreme Court, without leaving the Court, the jury to-day found George Hilio Brewer guilty of escaping from custody. Brower admitted to the Terraco Prison in February last, after being convicted on charges of breaking, entering and theft. He was taken to the Wellington Hospital in May. Brewer left the Hospital, and he went to the West Const-. At Roofton. he was arrested on another charge. Brewer denied that- lie had broken away from custody. He said that he had simply walked aivay. N.Z. TELEPHONES. WELLINGTON, July 29. The number of telephone subscribers in the Dominion were stated at the Dominion Farmers’ I nion conference to-day to he 109,000, who paid in subscriptions totalling £923,000. If a flat rate were charged, the price would have to be raised to £lO. In view or this explanation, eleven remits at the coinferenee dealing with rural telephones were referred to the Executive in order that replies might ho received from the Department.

RELIGIOUS BEQUESTS. CHRISTCHURCH, July 29. By the will of the late Air William Hawker, who died on October, 1913, and Airs Ann Hawker, his wife, who died in 1921, the Salvation Army and the Woolston Alethodist Church receive considerable benefits. I nder Air William Hawlcer’s will, the Salvation Army received £SOOO, and under Airs Hawker’s the Salvation Army and Woolston Alethodist Church, each re-, ceivo £lslO. This sum represents the residue of Airs Hawker’s estate. after providing for a. legacy of £IOOO to the Woolston Anglican Clnireh. paid same time ago. The trustees have just completed administration of the estates. and this is the first announcement of the bequests. BOA" FOOTBALLERS’ LEG BROKEN. IPAHIATUA. July 29. A little boy named Billingtou. tlie son of a Hukamii settlor, was admitted to the hospital with a broken leg sustained while playing football.