DOMINION NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1927, Page 1

DOMINION NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

ALLEGED BURGLAR

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14

Charged with having broken aiulj entered tho premises of W. J. Cau-i din and Sons, coal and grain merchants, Gliuznee Street, with intent to steal, Harold Grace, aged thirty-one,: a storeman employed by the firm, appeared before Mr Page 5.51. to-day. !

The evidence showed that on Sunday one of the principals had occasion to visit the premises. On opening the door, lie heard footsteps. He searched, but was unable to locate anyone, so lie locked the door again, and called the police, who surrounded the place. A search revealed accused 011 tho top floor. Grace made a statement, in which he said that he saw a man climb over a fence, and thinking he was up to no good, followed him. Mr Joll, for accused, said that he abandoned this story, and now his defence was that he was so drunk he did not know what lie was doing. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial. Bail was fixed at £IOO.

A PUNT UPSET. TTMARU, Sept. 13. Floundering in fifteen feet of icy water, seized by cramp, unable to swim, and with his feet entangled by a rope, a crippled hoy, Jack Smith, eleven years of age, residing at Harhorough Street, Watlington, Timaru, was in an almost hopeless plight- when rescued from the waters of Saltwater Creek on Tuesday afternoon. Smith, with a mate, Gorden. Ward, a lad of about his own age. living at Newton, Timaru, went down to Saltwater Creek at about 4.40 p.m. and launched a flat-bottomed punt on tho chain-wide bend at the foot of the hill at ATilton Street. Smith pushed out into tho stream, his mate staying on the hank. When out in tho middle of the stream Smith overbalanced into the water, becoming at once panicstricken and in danger of drowning. Tho hoys were noticed going down to tho stream by Mrs V. Kenny, who resides in Melton Street, close to the scene. At about 4.20 p.m. Mrs Kenny was attracted by the excited cries of ttlie boy, Ward, who came running to her house with the news of his mate’s . peril. Hastening to the scene, Mrs Kenny divested herself of her shoes and a jersey and plunged into the water. By this time the boy was vorf far gone and Mrs Kenny lost no time in reaching him. Hampered bv her clothing and tho struggle of the frightened hoy. she faced great danger of going under herself.

A WEST COAST CASE. WESTPORT, Sept. 15. The Supreme Court, Mr Justice Adams presiding, concluded tho hearing to-day of a case in which John Patrick Leonard claimed £IOOO damages from Charles Hargreaves, Robert Brownlie, and Joseph Hopkinson, and Grey and Buller Coal Deputies’ and T'nderviewers’ Industrial Union of Workers in connection with the refusal of the Millerton Deputies’ Union to allow Leonard to join the Union.

His Honour dismissed the claim against the Union, whose agreement was not registered under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. Ho refused mandamus, but allowed £250 damages and costs against the three abovenamed deputies.

DAIRYING INDUSTRY. WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. In a statement to-day on the dairy industry, tlie Minister of Agriculture said tlio daily cattle of tlie Dominion, as a whole are coming into profit in better condition this spring than is usually the case. Last summer produced a. prolific growth of hav, and the dairy farmers saved quantities of hay much in excess of the. average season’s lot. Hie dairy cows in most districts have therefore wintered well, and arc in condition to produce well from the commencement of the milking season. Greater attention being given pastures also is strikingly in evidence. The advantage of improved feed is manifested in the grading figures of last month ,representing £107,820, at present London values for butter, and £13.385 in the case of • cheese. The

actual increase no doubt is understated, as the major portion of the figures make wiil be on tho factory shelves. These August figures are very cheering, and he is convinced they arc ono of the indications that New Zealand is recovering from the period of depression. A FIRE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. The stock and fittings on the first floor of Alexander Ross and Sons’ boot factory, Cambridge Terrace, were damaged by fire this morning at four o’clock. The insurances are £5,200 In the British Traders office on machinery, fittings and stock in trade. One fireman, James Stewart, was taken tohospital with burns on the neck.

UNUSUAL SUICIDE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. At the inquest regarding Thompson Faulkner, chimney sweeper, aged 54, found electrocuted on Mount Victoria on Tuesday, evidence was given showing deceased evidently Hold a fencing wire in his hand and threw a weighted fishing lino over high tension wires. Tiie verdict was one of suicide.

RAILWAY ACC [DENT. AUCKLAND, Sept. 15. When passing Mahia station between Takanini and Manurewa at 7.15 tonight, five waggons attached to a mixed goods and passenger train from •Frankton Junction were derailed. Tho first waggon to leave the line was the seventeenth from tho engine, and then four more waggons immediately behind it were derailed. Meagre particulars are to hand, hut it is reported the damage is not very extensive. No passenger cars were derailed and no one was injured. The derailment being on the main line, air traffic was interrupted, and tlie express which left Auckland for Wellington at 7.15 was held up at Manurewa, and the ordinary main trunk express to have loft Auckland at 7.45 was held at Auckland station.

In order to cope with tho suburban traffic, tho Railway Department instituted a motor-car service between Papakura and Manurewa, a. distance of four miles. It is expected tlie lino will be cleared by one o’clock in the morning.