DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1927, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CAR OVER BRIDGE. AUCKLAND, Sept. G. Three occupants of a Checker taxicab had a narrow escape from death shortly after six o’clock to-night, when a cab plunged over 20 feet in the middle of the AVau Bridge into tho creek below. The passengers were Air S. Fenton of ]G Golf Road, Epsom, and his daughter, Airs H. G. King, of Henderson. The driver was Harry Devercll, Senr. Although there were no eye witnesses of the accident, it appears that the taxi when in the middle of the bridge, turned at right angles in the carriage way and crashed through the wooden railway, and dived into the stream, turning completely over as it rear-bed the bottom. About ‘Jo feet of railway was carried away. Tie passengers suffering from shock and minor injuries, crawled out from under the car and waded to the shore. The driver was admitted to the hospital and operated on for an injury to the thumb. Fenton had instructed the driver to hurry as ho was anxious to roach the City where an aunt hsul suddenly become ill.

COROXIAL ENQUIRY. PALMERSTON N., Sept. 7. The Coronial Enquiry held thi morning into the circumstances surroundin'; the death of Owen Sundlands Tyernan, who was killed in a level eros>ing accident on Friday, when hi? car collided with a train. Tho evidence showed tho driver of the 1 sounded the whistle approach it:? 1”! • crossing, of which dcoeaacd had a (Far view. One witness expressed Iho opinion that deceased tried to pull up the car but his foot slipped off the clutch. r ]'Fu' Coroner returned a vordi 1: than deceased died through injuries sustained I>,v a collision with a train and stressed the fact that motorists he more careful in negotiating crossings. RAIN IN SOUTHLAND. GORE, Sept. 7. Soaking rain throughout, the whole of Koufhland resulted in big accumulations of surface- "water. The train service is interrup! rd at AlcNab on the main liii" owing to water and

road < onm-ci i-ar ‘ la illy blacked. The Mntnrura is running at a high level, but there is no danger of a flood. If is expected that trains will get through later :n the dry. si y grggging. GORE. Sept. 7. U, Crvo Court, "William Robbins was fmed £2O for sly-grog selling. A constable mag ,np his house and purchased whisky, a police raid later revealing a small stock. MINISTER’S SUDDEN DEATH. PALMERSTON NORTH, Sept. 7. Reverend William Ready, t>(> a wellknown Methodist Alinister, and past president of the Conference, one of several ministers conducting a simultaneous mission at Palmerston North, 'pitssed 1 aiWay suddenly at 'an early hour this morning. SENTENCES. NAPIER. September 7. The Supreme Court sentenced Harold Frederick Maunder to four years for assaults on males and Alex Zachan to five years reformative for burglary.

GUILTY OF THEFT. PALMERSTON NuRTII, Kept. 7. Walter Roderick Dempsey and Albert Arthur Dempsey labourers 20 and 17 years were charged at the Police Court on four counts of theft. The first accused was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon, for stealing an overcoat from a motor car. The second brother who robbed a benefactor who gave him a meal, of a wristlet watch was similarly dealt with both were charged with breaking an entering houses at Palmerston North and Woodville and stealing various articles. They [leaded guilty and were committed to the Surpenie Court for sentence. Accused came from the South Isi'and walking from Wellington to Woodvilfe and committing the crimes mentioned. REFER EES PR OTEST. CHRISTCHURCH September 7. At a. meting of the management c-ommitte of Canterbury Rugby Union, a letter was read from the Referees Association stating that tho following resolution has been carried at its last meeting:—“That the Association protest to the Rugby Union against the Radio broadcaster making continued personal comments on the ruling of referees.” It was decided that the letter be received.

BOY FATALLY BURNT. AUCKLAND, Sept, 7. Douglas Sellars, aged nine, was fatally burned at Tunkau yesterday. He was playing with matches near a tin of kerosene when it exploded, his face, arms and legs being enflamcd. His parents reside at Ellerstic. COMMUNITY CARS «&, AUCKLAND, Sept. 7.3* Judgment in the test ease concerning the standing of Community cars was delivered this morning by .Magistrate Ciitt.cn who found such cars arc omnibuses and therefore should have been licensed as such. Defendant was convicted for using ail unlicensed omnibus and fined CO and costsOVERCHARGING. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 7. In addition to errors found in the city rates demands for the current year, local accountants have discovered several serious instances of overcharging on last year’s rates.' In one instance, the excess is £2O and in another, £7.

FLOODS IN OTAGO. DUNEDTN, Sept. 7

A great- rain storm from the south struck Otago yesterday. A large portion of the Tairei Plains is under water. At AVaipori, nearly 2) inches fell in'l2 hours. 'llie low-lying suburbs of Dunedin also carried much wat<*r, the trams at Kensington having to "in through water axle deep. Owing to continuous rain at Lawrence, fifty yards of a railway embankment was washed away last night, allowing water from AYeathcrstone Creek to break through into the town and Main St. was flooded with water to a depth of about six feet, a great deal of damage being done to goods in shops. There were several narrow escapes from drowning, and residents in the flooded area were removed in motor lorries. It is said to lie the Ingest flood in the history of the town. There is still a few feet of water on the streets at noon to-day, hut the water is clearing.

Railway slips are reported at AVaitahuna, Craig’s Flat and Bowler’s Creek on the Milton-Millers’ Flat line, causing suspension of the service today. The slip at Bowler’s Creek will probably take several days to clear.