DOMINION NEW?.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1927, Page 2

DOMINION NEW?.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

KIRWEE CROSSING TRAGEDY. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 15

This afternoon a fatal accident occurred at the railway crossing a mile west of Kirwce, when the GreymoutliCliristchiirch express collided with a five-sen ter car. Henry Weir, a labourer, aged 40 years, a married man with three eliildern, was killed, and the driver of the ear, Arthur Lionel Stewart. a married man, aged 45 years, was seriously injured. The accident occurred at 4.35 p.m. Tlie motor-car was proceeding north towards the crossing, which is not considered a dangerous one. It was struck by the express and thrown against, a telegraph pole. The driver received cuts to the face and head, and was admitted to the Christchurch Hospital in a. serious condition. The passenger, AVeir, was killed outright.

The body of tho ear was smashed to pieces. The express, it is stated, was passing at 45 miles per hour, and the ear was travelling about 25 miles per hour. There were two dogs in the car at the time of the accident. One was killed and the other was so badi'y hurt that it had to he destroyed.

SAMOAN INQUIRY. AUCKLAND, Sept. 15. The first sitting of the Samoan Royal Commission lias been convened by public notice for Saturday week, September 24th, according to a wireless message received from Apia to-day by the Hon. C. F. Nelson. The taking of evidence, the message says,.will begin at once, and the Commissioners, it is hoped, will leave for New Zealand by the Tofua on October 21st. Air Nelson said that lie had just received a- telegram stating that, lie realised, as had been asked, reasonable facii’ties would be given to enable them to attend before the Commission to give evidence.

Regarding the chiefs who had been banished to villages other than their own, no agreement had been received. He did not know the exact number of men in both classes, but it should by now, be several dozen. The banished chiefs were scattered far and wide, which added to.tho committee’s difficulties in presenting its case. Mr Nelson will leave for Sydney to-morrow and will go on to Samoa by tho Sierra, arriving about a week after the Commissioners. WELLINGTON RACING CLUB. WELLINGTON. Sept. 16. Wellington Racing Club’s profit for the year, after writing £6,260 off building, was £6,435, against £9,551, the previous year. The stakes paid were £38.610, a falling off of £5,300. Taxes paid to the Government were £51,583. Tote receipts were £51,893, against £61,197. Privileges brought £5.300, an increase of £2,792. Further work is still being done on the new grandstand.